Sr. Technician - Electro​/Mechanical; Telescope Systems

Position: Sr. Technician - Electro/Mechanical (Telescope Systems)
Title:

Sr. Technician - Electro/Mechanical (Telescope Systems)

K 's National Security Solutions team provides high-end engineering and advanced technology solutions to our customers in the intelligence and national security communities. In this position, your work will have a profound impact on the country's most critical role - protecting our national security.

Why Join Us?

* Innovative Projects: K 's work is at the forefront of engineering, logistics, operations, science, program management, mission IT and cybersecurity solutions.

* Collaborative Environment:
Be part of a dynamic team that thrives on collaboration and innovation, fostering a supportive and intellectually stimulating workplace.

* Impactful Work:
Your contributions will be pivotal in designing and optimizing defense systems that ensure national security and shape the future of space defense.

Job Summary:

K  was selected to support the U.S. Space Force / Air Force Research Laboratory's ASTRO (Advanced Space Technology Research and Optimization) contract, providing mission equipment operations, maintenance, and upgrades at the AMOS (Air Force Maui Optical and Supercomputing) Site in Maui, Hawai'i.

AMOS operates several unique, custom-built optical telescope systems that support national security and advanced space domain awareness missions. Electro/Mechanical Technicians are essential to maintaining these one-of-a-kind systems, ensuring safe, reliable, and continuous 24x7x365 operations in a challenging high-altitude observatory environment.

This role offers an opportunity to work directly on large-scale, precision telescope systems that combine mechanical, electrical, optical, and control subsystems not found in conventional industrial settings.

Primary Duties and Responsibilities

Telescope and Mechanical Systems Maintenance

* Maintain complex electro-mechanical telescope systems in a mission-ready state, including:

* Telescope mounts, bearings, and drive systems (azimuth/elevation)

* Shutter mechanisms, domes, and enclosure systems

* Hydraulics, pneumatics, motors, gearboxes, actuators, and motion control hardware

* Structural assemblies, counterweights, cable wraps, and load-handling components

* Perform routine and corrective maintenance, repairs, rebuilds, alignments, and mechanical adjustments on precision telescope equipment.

* Conduct lubrication, fastener torque verification, wear inspections, and mechanical health assessments to ensure long-term reliability.

Troubleshooting, Repair, and Technical Work

* Rapidly diagnose and resolve mechanical, electro-mechanical, and control-related equipment issues to minimize mission downtime.

* Analyze equipment health, alarms, and status trends to identify degradation or off-nominal conditions before failure occurs.

* Inspect connectors, seals, hoses, bearings, and mechanical interfaces for leaks, fatigue, corrosion, or misalignment.

* Recommend design, maintenance, or procedural improvements to increase equipment reliability and availability.

Calibration, Testing, and Operations Support

* Perform calibration and end-to-end functional testing of telescope motion systems and associated mission equipment.

* Support special and off-nominal operations, including testing events involving new, modified, or replacement hardware.

* Assist engineers with system modifications, upgrades, and integration of new mechanical or electro-mechanical components.

* Independently operate and monitor complex mission equipment during operational windows as required.

Documentation, Coordination, and Mentorship

* Develop, update, and follow mechanical operating procedures and maintenance documentation.

* Accurately document maintenance actions, discrepancies, and corrective actions in maintenance and logistics systems.

* Collaborate effectively with government customers, engineers, other site contractors, and internal team members.

* Provide technical guidance, training, and mentorship to junior technicians as appropriate.

Required Qualifications:

* Associate Degree and a minimum of 5 years of related experience (e.g., operation and maintenance of custom-built, specialized electro-mechanical or mechanical equipment), or an equivalent combination of education, training, and experience.

* Demonstrated ability to independently perform routine operation and maintenance of complex mechanical systems.

Desired

Qualifications:

* Four (4) or more years of experience maintaining telescope systems or large precision pointing mechanisms with minimal supervision.

* Experience with CAD design of simple parts, machining, or fabrication support.

* Experience working in observatory, aerospace, defense, or research environments.

* Active Secret clearance (or ability to obtain).

High-Altitude and

Physical Requirements

* Regular work at a high-altitude observatory environment (Haleakalā summit), including exposure to reduced oxygen levels. Ability to safely work:

* At heights on ladders, platforms, and elevated structures

* Around energized electrical systems and large mechanical…