Job Description (show details...)

Summary

Provides technical support associated with various types of measurement, equipment calibration, and inspection. Types of measurements may include, but are not limited to, dimensions, density, optics, radiation, and nuclear material accountability. Equipment calibrations may include, but are not limited to, dimensional, physical, and electrical. Specific duties may include setting up and operating a wide variety of precise testing and/or inspection equipment, conducting precision measurements, tests, and inspections, validating results, and reporting data. Provides technical support activities focused on complex inspections of electrical and mechanical assemblies based on prescribed, documented inspection standards and procedures. Inspections require working knowledge of common tools as well as more complicated tools (e.g., X-ray inspection for BGA/CGA inspection) for set-up and operation. Hardware inspections focus on high-reliability mechanical processes, assemblies, piece parts, electrical assemblies and electronic components for both through hole and surface mount. Reads and interprets complex engineering drawings and bill-of-materials along with standard forms describing work processes performed by the assembly technicians. Documents all inspections performed on standard inspection, non-conformance, and engineering change request forms in support of required configuration control, and archival systems. Ensures implementation of required corrective actions. Initiates, validates and assists in the closeout of non-conformance issues. Assists in maintenance of the quality assurance document file system in support of potential trend or failure analysis. Assists in the development, implementation, and evaluation of the overall quality assurance program. Assists in the authoring of formal quality assurance system documents. Develops, evaluates and implements new assembly processes and procedures. Works independently and as a member of the quality assurance team.

Job Duties

1. Safety and security are a primary responsibility for all Laboratory employees. Maintains required safety and security training, assures safety and security compliance, and makes safety and security an integral part of every task, including taking the necessary steps to stop work if continuing the job is unsafe or compromises security.
2. Determines conditions under which tests are to be conducted and phases of test operations.
3. Sets up, calibrates, operates, maintains, and repairs a wide variety of precise and complex inspection equipment.
4. Conducts and/or manages precision measurements, tests, and inspections on instruments, materials, parts, and assemblies to determine their conformance to precision specifications.
5. Validates and authenticates measurements and/or experimental results.
6. Performs basic set up, alignments, maintenance, operations, and/or calibration of conventional tools and/or equipment utilizing standards materials.
7. Performs inspection functions per inspection plans and monitors inspection duties assigned to subcontractors and reviews inspection results.
8. Prepares detailed technical reports for use by management and engineering personnel.
9. Develops calibration and/or measurement techniques for new or one-of-a-kind instruments, equipment, and/or systems.
10. Coordinates the design and implementation of cost-effective methods of testing and troubleshooting systems and equipment.
11. Plans the labor, schedules, and equipment required for testing and evaluating standard and special devices.
12. Identifies trends in instrument performance that require recalibration or servicing of the instrument/equipment.
13. Performs non-routine tasks requiring the exercise of independent judgment.
14. Provides solutions to a variety of technical problems of sophisticated scope and complexity.
15. Performs normal aspects of job with little or no direct supervision.
16. May guide functional and/or technical responsibilities of less experienced quality assurance/quality control (QA/QC) inspectors / technicians, as assigned.
17. Provides input to supervisor with regard to performance of other inspectors/technicians 1, 2 or 3, as requested.
18. Provides on-the-job training to QA/QC inspectors/technicians for specific quality control discipline, e.g., civil / structural, mechanical, receipt inspections, etc.
19. Participates in the development of training modules for training Laboratory inspectors/technicians and implement selective training activities as directed.
20. Responsible for the performance of specific quality control inspection and test activities as authorized via a formal certification process.
21. Assists in the preparation of QC procedures for review, approval, and issuance per approved Los Alamos National Security procedures.
22. Assists in the preparation of quality control inspection plans, procedures, and checklists.
23. Implements the receipt inspection, operations or construction quality control program activities within an assigned area of responsibility.
24. May function as a receipt inspector 2 or 3 capable of performing and documenting tests and inspections that are required to be performed per documented procedures, acceptance standards, and/or industry practices.
25. May represent area of QC inspection / testing responsibility with all levels of management, Department of Energy/National Nuclear Security Administration (DOE/NNSA), external suppliers, contractors, and other Laboratory personnel.
26. Initiates, validates, and closes non-conformance reports issued to report non-conformances identified during inspection and testing activities.
27. Ensures activities within area of responsibility comply with applicable facility integrated work documents (IWDs).
28. May use Lean Six Sigma yellow belt techniques to improve QC processes.
29. Identifies and develops metrics for assigned area of responsibility, as necessary.
30. Provides data to supervisor to support metrics assigned to area of responsibility.
31. Uses and applies thorough knowledge of assembly standards, techniques, and materials to inspect hardware and ensure the quality of complex hardware appropriate to high-reliability quality levels.
32. Responsible for broad work assignments based on programmatic and organizational need as directed by line or project management, self-initiates work on daily basis.
33. Participates in internal hardware reviews, commenting on hardware design issues that may affect quality and reliability.
34. Perform periodic audits of electro-static discharge (ESD) mitigation tools at various work areas around the organization.
35. Understands and adheres to all Laboratory and industry regulatory guidance and governance specific to Test-Measurement and Inspection.
36. Ensures all test-measurement and ESHQ quality assurance results, materials, processes and final products meet quality specifications and are completed according to established requirements.
37. Fosters a mutually respectful work environment that is free from discrimination and harassment.

Job Knowledge

• Complete knowledge of physics, chemistry, mathematics, and/or electronics.
• Complete knowledge and experience related to mathematical problem solving.
• Experience operating a variety of testing and/or inspection equipment relating to the measurement of dimensions, density, optics, radiation, and/or nuclear material accountability.
• Experience making dimensional, physical, and/or electrical calibrations.
• Advanced experience with precision, accuracy and bias values.
• Complete knowledge with destructive and non-destructive assay and the ability to differentiate.
• Advanced experience and demonstrated skill in conducting research, investigating alternative solutions, and recommending solutions on problems affecting test-measurement development and administration.
• Advanced skill to conceptualize and communicate major elements of test-measurement.
• Advanced skill in the preparation and presentation of test-measurement results.
• Complete understanding and wide application of technical principle, theories, and concepts related to the field.
• Applies knowledge of the job, test-measurement technical and Laboratory policies and principles to complete a wide range of tasks.
• Complete knowledge of legal requirements and environmental impacts affecting test-measurement development and administration and environmental impacts associated with materials used to assemble electronic hardware.
• Familiarity with accountability, verification and confirmation measurements and the ability to differentiate.
• Expert knowledge and experience with electrical design, assembly, repair, and installation processes.
• Expert knowledge of electrical components to determine value, polarity, and proper orientation.
• Expert knowledge of machining and mechanical assembly practices.
• Expert knowledge of electro-static discharge (ESD) affects to electronic components and mitigating techniques.
• Skill to conceptualize and communicate elements of electronic and/or mechanical assembly.
• Skill in the preparation of standard reporting forms for electronic and/or mechanical assembly, repair, and cleaning processes.
• Ability to read and understand electrical and/or mechanical assembly instructions, drawings, bill-of materials, and other related specifications.
• Knowledge of the Laboratory's ES&H-related policies, practices, and procedures including use of proper personal protection equipment to mitigate exposure hazards.
• Familiarity in monitoring the performance of qualified instruments for trends that may require the recalibration or servicing of the instrument.
• Ability to work independently and as well as collaboratively as part of a team.
• Working knowledge of an engineering discipline and construction or maintenance activities, which relate to an assigned area of responsibility.
• Working knowledge of construction and maintenance quality control methods and practices with respect to a single discipline or multidiscipline.
• Working knowledge of common and unique work hazards, occupational safety practices, operating configuration, and lockout / tag-out policies and procedures.
• Demonstrated ability to understand and interpret various physical, civil/structural, mechanical, and electrical documents, blueprints, drawings, and schematics.
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple tasks concurrently with no supervision.

Education

• Position typically requires a recognized degree in an engineering or scientific discipline, or specialized courses in related engineering discipline, or American Society for Quality Inspector Certifications; or six years of satisfactory performance as a receipt inspector 2 or 3 in the corresponding inspection, examination, or testing activities or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

Direction

A. Supervision Received

• Receives functional and operational direction from the manager.

B. Supervision Exercised

• Provides functional and operational direction to reporting test-measurement technical support, suppliers, and/or clerical employees, if assigned.

C. Contacts

• Regular contact with engineers, other facility personnel, and technicians.

This description is not intended to be a complete statement of every aspect of the position, but rather to act as a guide to the essential functions to be performed. Assigned functions of this job may vary, and other duties and responsibilities may be assigned or changed at the discretion of management.