NIST PREP Engineering Technician in Robotic Perception

The Intelligent Systems Division at NIST is investigating the performance of 3D machine vision systems for various manufacturing applications. The research will focus on conducting experiments and analyzing data to understand these systems’ performance and support the development of standards for measuring their depth error and depth resolution, as well as for measuring the performance of robotic systems used for bin-picking applications.

Duties:
The duties will be tailored to fit the applicant’s qualifications and the applicant will be trained on the use of certain systems needed for the following possible duties:

• Programming and maintaining robots (arms, mobile robots, exoskeletons, etc.).
• Operating and maintaining measurement equipment (e.g., laser trackers, laser scanners, oscilloscopes, etc.).
• Preparing and maintaining laboratories to support experiments.
• Conducting experiments in support of the development of standards.
• Assisting in recording and analyzing test data and preparing test reports.
• Performing simple preventative maintenance, troubleshooting, adjustment, and repairs of laboratory equipment.
• Keeping laboratories clean and organized.
• Assisting in performing market research for purchases required for the laboratories.
• Using CAD software to design parts, end-of-arm tooling, and fixtures.
• Working with NIST and/or external resources to have parts fabricated.
• Recording knowledge and best practices to help improve efficiency and productivity.
• Conducting tests in the laboratory as well as in the field.

Qualifications:
Not all the qualifications below are required.

• Associate or bachelor’s degree in physical sciences, engineering or related field (or a training certificate in robotics, engineering, or automation).
• Experience using gauge blocks and/or micrometers.
• A basic understanding of geometric dimensioning and tolerancing (GD&T).
• Experience in using digital oscilloscopes, multimeters, and environmental monitoring instruments (thermometers, hygrometers, etc.).
• Experience with CAD software such as Solidworks.
• Experience in programming robots (using a teach pendant, hand guidance, and a command line interface).
• Experience using basic hand and power tools.
• Experience using fused deposition modeling (FDM) 3D printers.
• Experience in operating in laboratory environments in a safe manner.
• Be able to work without close supervision in a team environment.
• Experience in using software tools such as Matlab, Python, Excel (or other) to analyze data.

Desired Qualifications:

• Experience in using dimensional measurement instruments (such as laser trackers, laser scanners, coordinate measurement machines, etc.).
• Experience in using Python, C++, C#, JAVA, etc. for programming/controlling robots.
• Experience in using the robot operating system (ROS) to program robots.
• Experience in using simulation software (e.g., MoveIT, RoboDK, etc.) to program robots.
• Experience with basic machine tools (e.g., drill press, band saw, lathe, etc.).
• Experience with programming and using CNC milling machines.

Privacy Act Statement
Authority:  15 U.S.C. § 278g-1(e)(1) and (e)(3) and 15 U.S.C. § 272(b) and (c)
Purpose:  The National Institute for Standards and Technology (NIST) hosts the  Professional Research Experience Program (PREP) which is designed to provide valuable laboratory experience and financial assistance to undergraduates, post-bachelor’s degree holders, graduate students, master’s degree holders, postdocs, and faculty.
PREP is a 5-year cooperative agreement between NIST laboratories and participating PREP Universities to establish a collaborative research relationship between NIST and U.S. institutions of higher education in the following disciplines including (but may not be limited to) biochemistry, biological sciences, chemistry, computer science, engineering, electronics, materials science, mathematics, nanoscale science, neutron science, physical science, physics, and statistics. This collection of information is needed to facilitate administrative functions of the PREP Program.
Routine Uses:  NIST will use the information collected to perform the requisite reviews of the applications to determine eligibility, and to meet programmatic requirements. Disclosure of this information is also subject to all the published routine uses as identified in the Privacy Act System of Records Notices:  NIST-1: NIST Associates.
Disclosure:  Furnishing this information is voluntary. When you submit the form, you are indicating your voluntary consent for NIST to use of the information you submit for the purpose stated.

SURA is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We believe that no one should be discriminated against because of their differences, such as age, disability, ethnicity, gender, gender identity and expression, religion, or sexual orientation. All employment decisions shall be made without regard to age, race, creed, color, religion, sex, national origin, ancestry, disability status, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, genetic information, marital status, citizenship status, or any other basis as protected by federal, state, or local law.

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