Development Technician 4

DEV TCHN 4 (007171)

UCPath Position ID: 41171016

Position Description History/Status

Approved Date:

5/30/2025 11:43:14 PM

Date Last Edited:

5/30/2025 11:43:09 PM

Last Action Effective Date:

Organization Details

Business Unit (Location):

LACMP

Organization Code:

1300O

Organization:

LETTERS AND SCIENCE

Division Code:

1340D

Division:

L&S PHYSICAL SCIENCES

Department:

100000 - PHYSICS & ASTRONOMY

Position Details

UCPath Position Number:

41171016

Position Description ID

239789

UC Payroll Title:

DEV TCHN 4 (007171)

Business Title:

Development Technician 4

Personnel Program

Professional and Support Staff (PSS)

Salary Grade:

STEPS

Job Code FLSA:

Non-Exempt

Union Code (Collective Bargaining Unit):

TX: Technical

Employee Relations Code:

E: All Others - Not Confidential

Employee Class (Appt Type):

2 - Staff: Career

Full-Time Equivalent (FTE)

1

SUPERVISION

UCPath Reports to Position Number:

40987356

Reports to Payroll Title:

RSCH AND DEV ENGR 4  

UCPath Department Head Position Number:

40056567

Department Head Payroll Title:

ADMIN MGR 2

GENERAL SUPERVISION - Indicates that the incumbent develops procedures for performance of variety of duties; or performs complex duties within established policy guidelines.

POSITION SUMMARY

Under the general supervision of the Lab Director and senior machinist, the incumbent will work in the Basic Plasma Science Facility, a Department of Energy (DOE) national user facility for plasma science. The incumbent will design, fabricate, test, assemble and maintain experimental apparatus including vacuum and gas-handling systems, diagnostic probes and associated hardware, high-power plasma sources and plasma heating systems. Starting from a general discussion about a task that needs to be accomplished or part that needs to be fabricated, the incumbent will independently make decisions regarding the best designs or methods to accomplish each. This will include using CAD software to generate design or documentary drawings, and review/discuss with the researchers as appropriate. The incumbent must be a proficient machinist and should know or quickly learn to use a computer-controlled lathe and mill machine. The incumbent is also expected to be proficient in miscellaneous technical tasks such as welding, soldering, electrical and light carpentry, and be able to manually operate a mill and lathe, necessary to fabricate and maintain equipment in a plasma laboratory. The incumbent will also assist undergraduate and graduate students, as well as postdocs with their fabrication projects' design and implementation. The incumbent will assist the Director in maintaining and replacing equipment as needed, and purchasing needed materials and supplies to keep the lab running smoothly.

The Department of Physics and Astronomy consists of faculty, undergrads and graduate students, academic researchers, scientists, staff and postdocs. Our department is located in Knudsen Hall, the Physics & Astronomy Buildings, the Planetarium (located in the Math Sciences Building), the Science and Technology Research Building (STRB) and a portion of Kaplan Hall (Division Mechanical Shop).

Fabrication and Assembly

1. Machine components used to create devices from CAD drawings in such a way as to insure the unit will function in a prescribed and predictable manner. 2. Assemble mechanical parts into subsystems and test subsystems when appropriate for gas and vacuum leaks. 3. Construction of diagnostic probes from supplied drawings and make design suggestions. 4. Machine parts/components for proposed instrument or subsystems using BAPSF shop area, Physics Machine Shop equipment and Personnel when available, and/or off campus vendors if necessary. 5. Install parts, components or subsystems used in plasma physics research.

50%

Project Management and Development

1. Purchase materials and prepare for fabrication. 2. Coordinate and track repairs sent outside laboratory. 3. Perform upgrade activities such as redesign of mechanical subsystems, optical support mounts, vacuum systems, and instrument enclosures. 5. Follow laboratory safety practices and ensure that others do the same. 6. Responsible for organization and restocking of components. 7. Responsible for maintaining an adequate inventory of shop supplies and materials. 8. Monitor and maintain sufficient supplies for fabrication schedules. 9. Coordinate with staff employees to track supplies and special orders if necessary.

20%

Maintenance and Repair

1. Maintain and troubleshoot vacuum and electrical systems making repairs as necessary. 2. Perform necessary repairs to mechanical subsystems, optical systems, and vacuum systems of active laboratory instruments. 3. Responsible for the maintenance and repair of the BAPSF tools and equipment.

15%

Quality Assurance and Testing

1. Perform testing of fabricated parts to assure mechanical specifications. 2. Conduct field tests of part, component or subsystem to assure specifications have been met. 3. Test Vacuum systems to detect air leaks or verify leak-free, under all expected conditions of operation.

10%

General

1. Other projects and tasks as assigned by supervisor or senior research personnel. 

5%

•

Performs other duties as assigned.

•

Complies with all policies and standards.

•

Complies with the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) Principles of Community.

•

This position description is not intended to be a complete list of all responsibilities, duties or skills required for the job and is subject to review and change at any time, with or without notice, in accordance with the needs of the organization.

QUALIFICATIONS

High School Diploma

High School Diploma

Required

Or

Associate's Degree

Junior College or Vocational School with emphasis on Machining or equivalent education / training

Preferred

Machining Experience

3-4 years experience working with mechanical shop machines such as lathes, milling machine, bandsaws, drill presses and solder equipment.

Required

Strong working knowledge of machining fundamentals.

Required

Demonstrated knowledge of different types of materials and proper methods of fabrication for each.

Required

Skilled in the safe operation of manual lathes, mills, drill presses and bandsaws.

Required

Proficient in the setup and operation of CNC milling machines and lathes.

Preferred

Knowledge of Tungsten Inert Gas Welding (TIG), vacuum technology and basic electrical wiring.

Preferred

Proficient in operating a wide range of electric hand-held tools such as drills, skill saws, and more.

Preferred

Detailed knowledge of computer aided design (CAD) programs to design and develop components.

Required

Ability to oversee others to assure safe and proper tool use of power and hand tools in laboratory setting.

Required

Ability to establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with other shop staff, faculty, visitors, students and others.

Required

Demonstrated skill and ability to work independently and as a member of a team, prioritizing assignments and following through on assignments with general supervision.

Required

General knowledge of University policies and departmental practices for purchasing supplies and orders for fabrication, repairs and replacements.

Preferred

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS AND/OR CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT

Background Check: Continued employment is contingent upon the completion of a satisfactory background investigation.

LOCATION AND PHYSICAL, ENVIRONMENTAL, MENTAL (PEM) REQUIREMENTS

Environment and Work Location Information

Environment Type:

Non-Clinical Setting

Location Setting:

Campus

Location:

STRB

Standing/Walking

X

Sitting

X

Bending/Stooping

X

Squatting/Kneeling

X

Climbing

X

X

Lifting/Carrying/Push/Pull 0-25 lbs

X

Lifting/Carrying/Push/Pull 26-50 lbs

X

Lifting/Carrying/Push/Pull over 50 lbs

X

Physical requirements other

X

Chemicals, dust, gases, or fumes

X

Loud noise levels

X

Marked changes in humidity or temperature

X

Microwave/Radiation

X

Operating motor vehicles and/or equipment

X

Exposures other

X

Sustained attention and concentration

X

X

Complex problem solving/reasoning

X

X

Ability to organize & prioritize

X

X

Communication skills

X

X

Numerical skills

X

X

Mental demands other

X

X

Classification 3:  Position in which exposure to blood, body fluids or tissues is not part of the position description. The normal routine task involves no exposure to blood, body fluids or tissues and the employee can decline to perform tasks which involve a perceived risk without retribution.