Technician in Flight Test Facilities Group
Mullard Space Science Laboratory, University College
London
Applications are invited for a position in the Flight Test Facilities Group at the
Mullard Space Science Laboratory, University College London. The group is
currently involved in testing hardware for a number of ESA space missions,
including Exomars, Solar Orbiter, Euclid and Plato. The successful applicant
will provide support to these space flight hardware test campaigns, as well as
being responsible for the maintenance and day-to-day running of MSSL’s
flight test facilities and cleanrooms. The successful applicant should hold an
HNC/HND in engineering or equivalent and have experience of working in a
laboratory environment. The post is for 2 years in the first instance,
continuation subject to grant funding. The salary is on UCL Salary Grade 6,
ranging from £24,057 - £28,695 per annum depending on experience.
Mullard Space Science Laboratory is the Department of Space & Climate
Physics at UCL (www.ucl.ac.uk/mssl) and is located on its own campus in the
beautiful Surrey Hills, surrounded by woodland. MSSL is the UK's largest
university space research group. Space science is a discipline that demands
highly innovative technologies and MSSL has an international reputation for
excellence in this area. UCL was one of the first universities in the world to
become involved in making scientific observations in space. Since MSSL was
established in 1966, we have participated in over 40 satellite missions with the
European Space Agency, NASA (US), Japan, Russia, China and India, and
flown over 230 rocket experiments.
Job Description
Job Title:
Department:
Reports to:
Grade:
Salary:
Closing Date:
Technician in the Flight Test Facilities Group
Department of Space & Climate Physics (MSSL)
Alex Rousseau, Flight Test Facilities Manager
6
In the range £24,298-£28,982 per annum.
1st May 2016
Summary of Job Function
The post holder will work within the Flight Test Facilities Group to support
flight test campaigns for a number of ESA space missions, including Exomars,
Solar Orbiter, Euclid and Plato.
Main Duties and Responsibilities:
The post holder’s main duties will be to:
• Help to maintain the group’s flight test facilities and cleanrooms.
• Support maintenance, development and, when necessary, repair of the
group’s vacuum chambers.
• Assist in the testing of flight hardware within the test facilities by closely
following step-by-step procedures and responding to problems as and
when they arise.
• Produce test reports in MS Word and format test data into MS Excel
files.
• Perform key point flight hardware inspections throughout the flight test
programme.
• Perform mandatory flight hardware test systems inspections and
verification of test facilities.
As they develop the necessary skills through on the job training, the post
holder will also be expected to:
• Support maintenance, development and, when necessary, repair of
thermal control systems and programmable logic control systems
within the test facilities.
• Develop and maintain Labview tools to control the test facilities during
test campaigns.
• Support the flight hardware contamination control and monitoring
program.
• Develop detailed step-by-step procedures for running flight hardware
tests in the test facilities
Other conditions
The post holder will be required to actively follow UCL policies including
‘Equal Opportunities’, attend staff meetings and training as required, maintain
an awareness of Fire and Health & Safety Regulations, carry out any other
duties as are within the scope, spirit and purpose of the job, the title of the job
and the grading as requested by the line manager or Head of Department.
This job description reflects the present requirements of the post. As duties
and responsibilities change and develop the job description will be reviewed
and be subject to amendment in consultation with the post-holder.
Further Particulars
Duration of Employment
The post is available for 2 years in the first instance, with the prospect of
continuation thereafter subject to grant funding.
Starting Date
The position is available as soon as possible
To apply for the post please go to http://www.ucl.ac.uk/hr/jobs/ and search on
1544966
Person Specification
The post holder’s main responsibility will be to provide technical support to the
MSSL Flight Test Facilities Group. In particular he/she will be involved in the
maintenance and day-to-day running of the flight test facilities and
cleanrooms. The post holder will also support the testing of high value space
flight instruments in the test facilities.
Person Spec
Qualifications
Essential:
equivalent.
Knowledge
Essential
Desirable
Desirable
Desirable
Desirable
Skills
Essential
Essential:
Aptitude
Essential:
Essential:
The post holder should hold an Engineering HNC/HND or
The post holder will be required to have a basic understanding
of laboratory vacuum systems and cleanroom protocols.
An understanding of programmable logic control systems and
thermal control systems will be an advantage.
An understanding of the Labview software language will be an
advantage.
Knowledge of Health and Safety at Work Legislation.
Experience of Preparing Risk Assessments
The post holder must demonstrate good analysis skills, through
a methodical approach and attention to detail.
The post holder will be required to have a good working
knowledge of MS Word and Excel.
Good interpersonal abilities and proven capability to work
collaboratively.
Proven record of ability to manage time and work to strict
deadlines.
Experience
Essential
The post holder should have experience of working in a
laboratory environment.
Desirable
Experience of working in a cleanroom environment will be an
advantage.
Desirable
Experience of working with thermal vacuum systems will be an
advantage.