Mechanician (8653C) Job #80112 - Pacific Earthquake Engineering Research Center (PEER)

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Pacific Earthquake Engineering Research Center (PEER) is a multi-disciplinary, multi-institutional research and education center headquartered at UC Berkeley. Participants come from over 20 universities, government agencies and professional engineering companies. The PEER investigators conduct research in earthquake engineering related fields including structural and geotechnical engineering, geology/seismology, geo-hazard assessment, lifeline networks, transportation systems, risk management, and public policy. PEER's mission is to develop and disseminate technologies to support the wider application of performance-based earthquake engineering.

This job is needed in PEER because of shift in experimental research programs. PEER recently started an initiative to promote experimental work in the core institutions with the focus on continuing the basic research. Over the past year, the Center has received multi-year projects from California Department of Transportation (Caltrans), California Energy Commission (CEC) and Bay Area Rapid Transit (BARTO for experimental studies. In addition, the lab is expected to get more educational and service-to-industry work in the next year. Therefore, PEER is seeking a full-time Principal Mechanician.

This position serves as the primary support to the experimental facilities of PEER Lab for faculty research projects and service-to-industry projects. This position performs functional design and assembly of new experimental setups, by determining the required parts, ordering/procuring the parts, machining & welding the parts and assembling them into functional test setups. Moreover, this position provides cost estimation for new projects based on drawings, and discussions with researchers, by estimating the labor hours and materials required for a complex set of tasks.
This position follows all safety procedures required by the university, department, Cal OSHA, and EH&S procedures and policies.

The First Review Date for this job is: 8/13/25 - Open until filled

40% Support for Lab's experimental facilities:
* Provide technical support to instructional activities, research and service to industry projects.
* Perform functional design, fabrication, modification, setup, demolition, and technical support of new and existing instructional or research apparatus from sketches, schematic drawings, blueprints, and oral instructions.
* Perform testing of equipment, and verification of equipment's functionality.
* Maintain, troubleshoot problems, and repair equipment in Lab's experimental facilities, and pump room hydraulics.
* Assist in the research for new laboratory equipment needed, including specifications, cost, and availability.
* Answer questions, provide accurate technical information and provide technical trouble-shooting during the instructional or research experiments within the course laboratory components.

30% Welding and Machining in the Fabrication Shop:
* Weld a variety of shapes, sizes, and materials.
* Work with faculty, staff, and students in the design and fabrication of complex research projects and routine service to industry projects
* Operate machine tools and welding machines found in the shop, including mills, lathes, grinders, MIG and TIG welding, cutting torch, and plasma cutter.
* Instruct students on proper usage of welding and power tools.

20% Electronic Shop and Shak Table control support role:
* From hardware point of view, assist Electronic Shop in developing and maintaining schematics and documentation of laboratory systems and experimental setups.
* Provide technical support of fabrication, installation, and testing for experiments conducted on shake table.

10% Others:
* Maintain and repair shop and laboratory machinery and equipment as necessary.
* Act as information resource on safety matters and shop practices and welding principles.
* Perform office and laboratory maintenance including moving of offices, labs, and equipment.
* Other duties as assigned in discussion with supervisor.

• Broad knowledge of machine tool technology, metal fabrication, and metal joining processes.
• Three to four years of journey-level metal fabrication, welding skills to facilitate fabrication of laboratory apparatus. Advanced mechanical aptitude and troubleshooting skills to diagnose malfunctioning equipment and mechanical systems.
• Ability to operate overhead crane safely. Ability to unload materials from trucks by the safe rigging of various shapes, sizes, and weights. Ability to operate forklift with a sensitive touch.
• Ability to lift up to 50 pounds and work at heights.
• Excellent attention to detail.
• Ability to be flexible and to show initiative.
• Ability to communicate effectively, diplomatically, and professionally.
• Ability to work independently as well as part of a team.
• Strong record of punctuality and reliable attendance.

• Good computing skills.
• Broad knowledge of electronics is a plus.
• Knowledge of graphical data acquisition and Computer Aided Drafting programs is a plus.
• A. A. degree, Apprentice Certificate of Completion or equivalent experience/training.
• Licenses to operate lab equipment (forklift, boomlift, scissorlift); welding certifications preferred.

For information on the comprehensive benefits package offered by the University, please visit the University of California's Compensation & Benefits website.

Under California law, the University of California, Berkeley is required to provide a reasonable estimate of the compensation range for this role and should not offer a salary outside of the range posted in this job announcement. This range takes into account the wide range of factors that are considered in making compensation decisions including but not limited to experience, skills, knowledge, abilities, education, licensure and certifications, analysis of internal equity, and other business and organizational needs. It is not typical for an individual to be offered a salary at or near the top of the range for a position. Salary offers are determined based on final candidate qualifications and experience.

The budgeted salary or hourly range that the University reasonably expects to pay for this position is $95,000 - $125,000.

This is a designated position requiring fingerprinting and a background check due to the nature of the job responsibilities. Berkeley does hire people with conviction histories and reviews information received in the context of the job responsibilities. The University reserves the right to make employment contingent upon successful completion of the background check.

As a condition of employment, the final candidate who accepts a conditional offer of employment will be required to disclose if they have been subject to any final administrative or judicial decisions within the last seven years determining that they committed any misconduct; received notice of any allegations or are currently the subject of any administrative or disciplinary proceedings involving misconduct; have left a position after receiving notice of allegations or while under investigation in an administrative or disciplinary proceeding involving misconduct; or have filed an appeal of a finding of misconduct with a previous employer.

"Misconduct" means any violation of the policies or laws governing conduct at the applicant's previous place of employment, including, but not limited to, violations of policies or laws prohibiting sexual harassment, sexual assault, or other forms of harassment, discrimination, dishonesty, or unethical conduct, as defined by the employer. For reference, below are UC's policies addressing some forms of misconduct:

UC Sexual Violence and Sexual Harassment Policy
UC Anti-Discrimination Policy
Abusive Conduct in the Workplace

The University of California is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, protected veteran status, or other protected status under state or federal law.