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Designs, makes, and maintains precision instruments, testing apparatus, and experimental equipment in a research laboratory.

Positions in this class are characterized by the recurrence of new assignments requiring a high degree of skill and ingenuity in designing and constructing new devices for recording and measuring results of research and experimental work. Drawing or other guides, if available at all, are generally only rough sketches.

Frequently incidents must use initiative and imagination in designing an instrument or device to meet a specific need. If detailed specifications are available, the work is characterized by a requirement for class tolerances, or by the complexity of the mechanism to be constructed. A knowledge of how to work with uncommon metals or other materials enjoyed in the construction of the apparatus needed is frequently utilized. The work is usually performed as a technical assistant to a staff or faculty member who is directing the experimental or research project.

Examples of duties characteristic of positions in this class:

1. In biological research laboratory; designs, constructs, and operates a variety of mess for measuring body functions, reactions to drugs and other stimuli, blood pressure, basal metabolism, the effect of strains, stresses, temperature, motion and the like on various organs of the body, anticipates the need for, procures, and supervises the care of animals needed in experimental, demonstration, or research work, anesthetizes such animals, makes such incisions and openings as necessary and attaches recording devices to parts of body, maintains laboratory supply and shop rooms and prepares or supervises the preparation of solutions used in laboratory, makes periodic checks of all equipment used in the laboratory and keeps it in good working condition.

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2. In a materials testing laboratory; designs and constructs a wide variety of mechanical and electrical equipment for testing various factors which determine the suitability of materials for building roads, constructs and calibrates such testing devices, makes new parts and replaces old ones in electric motors, electric heating equipment, thermostats, humidistats, and refrigeration equipment and optical equipment; serves as head mechanic and apparatus maker in the laboratory and confers with highway engineers on problems relating to methods of testing highway building and maintenance materials.
3. In a physical science laboratory; devises and constructs delicate, high pressure instruments for experimental work in such fields as electronics, radio and radar; repairs, rebuilds and replaces parts in variety of measurement devices.

Completion of standard high school course, including or supplemented by courses in the physical sciences, mathematics, and mechanical drawing, and at least five yearn of varied experience with precision machinery, electrical devices, and metal work, two of which must have involved construction and repair of such devices as are employed in the laboratory to which assigned.

A high degree of mechanical skill and ability; thorough knowledge of the operation of precision tools and equipment; thorough knowledge of applied electricity and electrical apparatus, ability to design apparatus, make sketches and drawings and to read blue prints.