Union Experimental Equipment Processor (EEP) - 1st Shift

Summary The Experimental Equipment Processor - Class A manufactures, assembles, modifies, and supports specialized equipment used in research and development projects. This role works with a wide range of materials, tools, and processes to help turn concepts, sketches, and technical instructions into working experimental hardware. This position requires strong hands-on technical ability, attention to detail, and the ability to work closely with scientists, engineers, technicians, and other shop personnel. The work is often custom, complex, and done with limited direction, so problem-solving and independent judgment are important.

Hours: This role follows a 9/80 schedule; Monday - Thursday hours are 7-4pm, every other Friday is an 8 hour shift, and off the next Friday. Overtime is uncapped.

Key Responsibilities Build, machine, assemble, and finish experimental equipment and components for research projects. Review sketches, prints, written instructions, and verbal direction to determine how parts or equipment should be made. Plan the order of work, select materials, and choose the best tools, equipment, and methods for each project. Create shop aids such as mandrels, fixtures, jigs, holders, and blocking plates to support fabrication. Develop practical methods for working with new or unusual materials when standard procedures do not exist. Set up and operate shop and laboratory equipment such as lathes, mills, grinders, polishers, furnaces, vacuum systems, and deposition equipment. Perform processes such as machining, grinding, polishing, cleaning, etching, welding, brazing, coating, heat treating, leak testing, blasting, and masking. Help establish experimental processes by locating needed equipment, information, and materials needed when they are not readily available. Track process details and maintain records of work performed. Check completed work for accuracy, quality, and conformance to requirements. Coordinate work with other operators and provide guidance to others when needed. Work directly with scientists, engineers, technicians, and specialists to understand project needs and resolve technical issues. Maintain a clean, safe, and organized work area and follow all safety and quality requirements. Equipment and Tools Used This role may use: Lathes, milling machines, drill presses, grinders, and polishers Welders and brazing equipment Thin film deposition equipment Vacuum systems and leak detectors Plating equipment Measuring and inspection tools Ovens, furnaces, power supplies, and oscillators Standard and specialized hand tools Materials Used This position may work with: Metals and metal alloys Quartz Glass Ceramics Specialized gases and materials such as krypton, neon, helium, hydrogen, mercury, sodium, cesium, and potassium .

Strong mechanical and technical fabrication skills Ability to read and work from sketches, prints, and technical instructions Skilled in machining, assembly, finishing, and handling precision work Ability to work with experimental materials and nonstandard processes Problem-solving skills and ability to develop practical fabrication methods Strong attention to detail and ability to work to close tolerances Ability to inspect work and verify quality Good communication and collaboration skills Ability to coordinate with others and provide work direction when needed Strong organizational skills and ability to maintain process records Minimum Qualifications High school diploma or equivalent Significant hands-on experience in a laboratory shop, machine shop, prototype shop, glass shop, or related technical manufacturing environment Experience using precision machine tools and measurement equipment Experience performing fabrication, assembly, and finishing operations on specialized or custom parts Ability to safely work with a wide range of materials, equipment, and shop processes Ability to interpret technical drawings, sketches, and verbal