Research Hardware - Facilities Technician

OUR STATEMENT
The San Jose State University Research Foundation (SJSURF) is committed to building a work environment where everyone can show up as their own self and have an opportunity to contribute, develop, and advance in their career. Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) are core values of the organization. We strive to attract, retain, and develop employees who reflect the community and society where we work and live. The Research Foundation aims to develop a culture where everyone feels welcome, shares their views, and where differences in backgrounds and perspectives are seen as adding value.

GENERAL NATURE OF POSITION
Do you want to help support NASA's missions, but don't want to go through astronaut training camp?

Do you like making a difference in the world and want to help progress the vision of NASA?

The Department of Psychology at San Jose State University is involved in collaborative research with civil service researchers from the Human Systems Integration Division at the NASA Ames Research Center in Mountain View, CA. We seek a Facilities Technician to collaborate on aerospace research focused on human space flight missions. The Facilities Technician will be responsible for helping researchers customize labs to support HSI experiments. Work includes the research, evaluation, installation, customization, and fabrication of equipment to support HSI researchers' studies. The Facilities Technician will be responsible for maintaining, inspecting, and repairing various facilities systems, ensuring that the facility is operating efficiently and safely. The ideal candidate will possess a strong background in facilities maintenance, electrical systems, and mechanical knowledge, along with the ability to lead and supervise maintenance activities.

Our work environment is very open, collaborative and welcoming; we are a diverse and tight-knit team that enjoys off-site team building events and activities. We believe that fostering a comfortable workplace for everyone is important! Our team values a healthy approach to our work, from providing adjustable desks to maintaining a balanced work-life schedule. You will contribute to our wide diversity of skills and incorporate new ideas into our environment. You will work with people across NASA, hear about upcoming missions and how we help support them.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

• Lead the evaluation, selection, and integration strategy for new laboratory equipment, including assessing system requirements and determining implementation plans.

• Oversee and document installation efforts performed by technical staff, contractors, or vendors.

• Design and manage the development of custom laboratory hardware solutions, including specification creation and quality oversight.

• Serve as a technical lead for research projects, guiding prototype development and validating engineering approaches.

• Provide technical leadership and mentoring to student interns and junior personnel.

• Develop and administer facility maintenance plans and building operational procedures in collaboration with ARC's Facility Technicians.

• Oversee safety programs, including monthly inspections, compliance initiatives, and coordination with Safety Leads.

• Manage facility infrastructure improvements, equipment lifecycle planning, and procurement of specialized components.

• Maintain responsibility for building A/V systems strategy, configuration standards, and long-term support planning.

• Independently research, evaluate, and approve replacement parts, materials, and tools based on program requirements.

• Exercise independent judgment in prioritizing multiple concurrent technical and operational projects.

• Interface regularly with Division leadership, providing recommendations and technical guidance on facility and research infrastructure.

• Perform related duties that require advanced technical judgment and autonomy.

• Other duties as assigned.

INTERPERSONAL CONTACTS
1) Reports to the project director.
2) Frequently interacts with NASA Ames Civil Service and SJSU Research Foundation research staff daily.

3) Periodic, regular, and/or occasional contact with employees of the Research Foundation at all levels, San Jose State University faculty and staff, and/or vendors, with the ability to discuss and appropriately respond to inquiries and requests.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES
None, though may be called upon for advice and direction by others.

QUALIFICATIONS
Education and Experience

• Bachelor's degree in engineering, industrial technology, or a related field, OR a minimum of 7 years of equivalent combination of education and experience in faculty/building technician experience (ARC experience is a +).

• Knowledge, Skills, Abilities required:

• Fabrication of custom cabling and layouts (3-D printer experience is a +)

• Basic computer skills required.

• Team and Customer service oriented.

• Flexible; ability to adapt to changing priorities.

• Proficient communication skills (verbal, interpersonal, listening).

• Time management ability to prioritize and multi-task, self-starter

• Comfortable working with a variety of skill levels, including student interns

• Familiarity with building systems and construction methods.

Complexity of Duties

• Exercises independent judgment and discretion in planning, coordinating, and executing complex technical and operational initiatives.

• Leads project planning and provides authoritative expertise in laboratory and facility systems.

Physical Demands

• Frequent and ongoing use of a computer terminal to conduct a variety of the more advanced clerical functions and communications.

• Work with time constraints and under pressure.

• Ability to lift 50 lbs. and assist with moving heavy furniture and equipment in excess of 50lbs. using dollies, hoists and other devices.

• Strength, dexterity, and coordination and/or ability to use a computer keyboard and read a video display terminal on a regular basis.

• Ability to listen to verbal requests from customers, clients, and vendors, and to respond appropriately.

A background check (including a criminal records check) must be completed satisfactorily before any candidate can be offered a position with the SJSURF. Failure to satisfactorily complete the background check may affect the application status of applicants or the continued employment of current SJSURF employees who apply for the position.

NOTE: This position description intends to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to this job. It is not intended to include all duties and responsibilities. The order in which duties and responsibilities are listed is not significant.

Compensation Range:

BENEFITS
The SJSURF provides an excellent benefits package to benefited employees. The comprehensive benefits package includes:

• Four company health insurance plans to choose from (employee contributions differ according to plan and level of coverage).

• Employer-paid dental and vision for both employee and eligible dependents.

• Life, AD&D, LTD with supplemental coverage opportunities.

• 14 paid federal & state holidays.

• Retirement Plan: 403 (b) employee contribution plan component and a 403 (b) employer contribution component, which vests immediately.

• Vacation-hour accruals and separate sick-hour accumulations.

• Employee discounts.

• Paid training and professional-development conferences.

Please visit the Benefits & Compensation page on the SJSURF website for more detailed information.

REASONABLE ACCOMMODATION
The SJSURF is committed to providing access, equal opportunity, and reasonable accommodation for individuals with physical or mental disabilities in the employment, recruitment, examination, interviewing, and hiring processes. If you are a job seeker with a physical or mental disability, and you require a reasonable accommodation to search, apply, or interview for a job opening or otherwise need a reasonable accommodation during the application and hiring process, please contact us at foundation-jobs@sjsu.edu. In the email message, please indicate your full name, phone number and the type of assistance required. You must not reveal the underlying medical reason for your needed reasonable accommodation or otherwise disclose confidential medical information.

ABOUT THE SJSU RESEARCH FOUNDATION
SJSURF employment is separate and distinct from San Jose State University (SJSU) or state of California employment. SJSURF employees are not employees of SJSU or of the state of California. SJSURF is a non-profit auxiliary of SJSU. SJSURF is totally self-supported. The majority of the organization's funding comes from the federal government, and other public and private entities. With annual revenues totaling over $65 million, programs managed through SJSURF cover a rich diversity of applied research, public services, and educational-related activities.

San Jose State University Research Foundation is an Affirmative Action, Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, creed, gender, religion, marital status, registered domestic partner status, age, national origin, ancestry, physical or mental disability, medical condition, sex, genetic information, sexual orientation, military and veteran status or any other consideration made unlawful by federal, state, or local laws. It also prohibits unlawful discrimination based on the perception that anyone has any of those characteristics, or is associated with a person who has or is perceived as having any of those characteristics.

It is our policy to provide equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment. All employment practices such as recruitment, selection, promotions, and other terms and conditions of employment are administered in a manner designed to ensure that employees and applicants for employment or services are not subjected to discrimination. We are committed to providing a work environment free from discrimination and harassment, and where employees are treated with respect and dignity. This policy is in accordance with federal, state and local laws and reaffirms the Research Foundation's continuing commitment to both the spirit and intent of equal employment opportunity laws and policies.

San Jose State University Research Foundation is an EOE M/F/Vet/Disability. Learn more about our organizations EEO and AAP policy by visiting our website HERE. Data metrics on the AAP is available for review upon request. Please also visit OFCCP for additional resources: https://www.dol.gov/agencies/ofccp/posters.

If you have any questions or need assistance or an accommodation in completing this application, please contact Research Foundation HR at (408) 924-5582.

We participate in E-verify. Please click here for more information