What are we?

[Justarius]

What are we?

Those of us that have worked on the commercial side and the military side of simulation should be able to relate to this RANT.

According to SCA we are electronics technicians. As we all know this is far from the truth. I have taken time to read jobs that actually relate to this job on military bases. I have also interviewed people from these career areas. We are no more them as they are us. Though it would take far less for us to adapt to being an electrician then for them to become a simulator technician.

No I am not saying either is easy. Both are very skilled labor fields. (not wanting to offend)

What are we? well what is it we do any way?
We are:

Technical print readers, writer, augmentor, interpreter.

Hydraulic engineers (to a small degree), Hydraulic systems trouble-shooter, component removal & replacement, tester.

Mechanical engineers (to a large degree), removal and replacement, trouble shooters, designers, substitute replacement designers (i am sure many can relate here).

Documentation EXPERTS & Supply EXPERTS, just ask us

Software engineer SE level 1+

Visual engineer VE level 1+ maybe higher for some.

Air Craft: Pilot, co-pilot, engineer, Quality control, engine run, avionics, radio radar, auto-pilot, and much much more.

BTW ... When this was brought to the attention of a certain New Jersey Senator ... after a few months of review... a personal answer was relayed to the folks at McGuire (not official) It would cost the government too much money to change the SCA to accommodate (the truth) the few people it affects.

I feel better, how about you .... NOT!!!

[The Pirate]

AAI/ESI Hunt Valley, MD on the COFT/MCOFT/UCOFT contract with AMCCOM and later STRICOM(ARMY) got away with bingo-hole'ing us as electronic/mechanics, which is even farther down the food chain. SCA/WDL never worked for me, i went broke after 9 years, 80/20 med that cost 75.00 a week, and didn't kick in untill 5000.00 out of pocket, only paid 80% of what the insurance felt was "fair and reasonable", just couldn't afford it any more.sadwavey:

p.s. my last "aviation industry "job put us in the "customer service" bracket, or as it was "lovingly" refered to by the SIM TECH'S, " Customer Servant's".
confused: confused: confused:

[The_Moon]

The outfit I work for just relented and changed our job titles to get this: "Simulator Technicians", where we had been Electronics Technicians, Maintenance. We got that changed in writing in our CBA, not that it changed much of anything, but it does lay a foundation, a precedence, mayhaps.

[Justarius]

Well I think it is a start, though CBA is a strange beast in it self if you know what I mean. Now if we can get the DOD to sign off on it too then maybe something can get done.

The other side of this is that we need to stop hiring people that do not meet the qualifications at levels higher than they really are.

The site I am at does this and justifies it with "well they (DOD) are paying for a tech 2 slot so pay the person you hire at that rate. This only tells everyone anyone can do the job. ( Oh ya, and who in their right mind would work for tech 1 pay?) Thats how they justify being able to higher qualified people.

Feel free to keep this rant going I feel so much better angryf:

[mbushaw]

Is it possible to see the SCA job description for 'electronics technicians'? With this in your hand you may be able to limit your job activities and require the employer to hire specialists for the other tasks (get a hydraulic tech, a software tech etc.) You may even get some support from the SCA as you are doing tasks well outside the normal ET description and taking work away from other specialties.

[Justarius]

Now I have found a kindrid spirit.scratchch

I love the way you put that wish I had said itdemon:

[The Pirate]

the sca wdl job i spoke of before did just that. we had supply tech, hydraulic tech, etc., but the simtech's in the field were called FSR's(field service rep), but paid at elec/mech.huh4: huh4:

[Justarius]

I consider the title the start. Then there is a devision. Then we need to get those that do the hiring to hire people at the right rep level to make it work. As long as they are willing to hirer at higher levels just to fill the position and cause strife amongst the other workers it will stay the same.

If we can not hire at the levels we need then rates will go up and the job discription will start to come into focus.

Well its a dream whoa:

[SimGuru]

Here is my take on the issue. Forgive me but I am going to vent on several topics here that are all related. I am also going to write a novel in order to answer the question.

Here is my tale of working under SCA:

I started with Hughes Aircraft working on sims. One of the best jobs I ever had. True, it was SCA but here is the deal. Hughes- as part of GM - treated us a corporate employees. They were too big to deal with SCA. They treated us a corporate employees, let us keep our benefits allowance, billed us for benefits like any other employee (the paid 80% we paid 20% just like all other GM employees).

Then there came a day in which Raytheon bought the Hughes Missile Division. We were sold as part of the deal. Now, none of our benefits were paid by corporate. We paid full price however due to the size of Raytheon our benefits were affordable. Our benefits allowance did not totally cover the cost of benefits but it was not too terrible.

Now, Raytheon did not want us. They wanted the missile division. So they sold our division to L3. Benefits got very expensive, vacation now had to be "bought" out of our benefits allowance. However, I loved the job and suffered the changes. My love of what I was doing kept me going.

Then there came the day that our contract ran out. When the bids went out it was revealed that our contract was reserved as small business. Thus LB&B won the contract. At that point it became unaffordable to me to stay in that job.

In every case - SCA called for a pilot to be the site manager. In every case the technicians were either ex-military enlisted electronic techs or were 2 year tech school grads (equivalent to military techs who had gone to tech school). The managers acted as officer/asses and treated the techs as grunts.

When LB&B announced how much benefits would cost I gave up. After a 3 day search I was offered a job on the commercial side of the house. I have been commercial for 5 years now and have loved every minute.

The simple fact of the matter is that benefits are more affordable, opportunity for advancement is more available and the job satisfaction is still there. However, if you do not have a pilot ticket then you will never rise above a technical manager.

So - what are we?

If you are SCA the commercial side treats you as trainees until you are ready to move into the bigs (do not take offense - I have been there and done that. I understand but have seen the mindset.)

The pilots in SCA are ex USAF or USN. They treat the techs as enlisted folks.

If you are commercial then you are an automaton who repairs a device that does not exist until the instructor's ass is in the box. It is not unusual for an instructor to be ex military.

You see, here is the issue. Simulation runs like the USAF. Pilots are at the top. In the USAF - pilots are officers. Officers do not face the same weight control program as the enlisted folks who repair their aircraft, officers have a different uniform allowance, officers have different appraisal standards, they have a different housing allowance system, they have a different standard applied as to allowances for sustenance and quarters --- in other words officers make the rules, they establish the standards and they weight them in their favor. There is no consideration for those that make it possible for them to do their jobs.

In simulation - pilots are the corporate managers. They make the rules, set the standards and weight things in their favor. You, as a sim tech, are just the poor enlisted troop who exists to make sure that the pilot/managers can do their thing. As a simtech -- you only exist when a device has a problem that keeps the pilot/executive from doing his job.

You see, the problem is the same on both sides of the house. Pilot/officers run the show and treat us techs as poor, dumb enlisted troops who do our jobs for no purpose but to allow them to do their jobs.

Since they are the corporate managers decisions that they make are based on what is best for them. We are not considered at all. The assumption is that they can always find a tech to do the job. But pilots----- well, they are hard to find.

In order to make the situation better. In order to force SCA to recognize the situation. In order to effect change. Then the perception must change.

How to do that? I have no idea. I understand the situation but have not figured out how to change it yet.


As an NCO in the USAF reserves -- I have often told new troops the following: If all of the officers did not come to work one day then the base would continue to operate. Supplies would be ordered. aircraft and facilities would be repaired, chow would be cooked, the gates would be guarded --- in short there would be nobody who would notice. On the other hand if only officers showed up one day and no enlisted troops showed up then the base would be unguarded, aircraft and facilities would not be repaired, supplies would not be ordered and the base would starve as it ground to a halt.

The same is true in simulation. If the pilot/manager types did not show up at work then the sims would be totally operational, ready to fly and would fly if the students desired. If the techs did not show up then the companies would grind to a halt.

The question now becomes how to demonstrate the point.

I leave that up to you.

I have now vented. I feel better. I am going to go home and have a beer. I look forward to hearing your feedback.

Q: What is the difference between God and a pilot?

A: God does not think that He is a pilot.

[Justarius]

So very well put.

Anyone out there have a real idea that can get us in a drivers seat that would feel better than the one WE are in know?angryf:

[mbushaw]

Geezer observations -
He who pays the money sets the rules. As a tech we may think that the manager has it easier, as a manager we may think the VP has it easier, as a VP we may think the owner has it easier, as an owner we may think the customer has it easier, as a customer we pay for a service and don't give a crap how it happens. We are all in several of these positions throughout the day. Next time you order a Big Mac stop and think about how much you really care if the cashier also has to mop the floor or the hamburger guy really worked hard to wrap the sandwich without creasing the bun. The place doesn't exist until we walk in the door.

Bad management starts at the top - Don't expect a bad VP to replace a bad manager UNLESS the manager costs the VP personal injury (monetary, emotional or physical). The techs working for the manager have nearly zero influence on bad management.

How long would a shop run without management? depends on when your payroll is submitted, or the invoices need to be paid, or the customers get courted by a competitor, or new equipment costs need to be evaluated. Management DOES have tasks beyond making life miserable for the techs. Yes, a tech could easily pick up these extra tasks (mostly), but then that would make them management wouldn't it.

In short, unless you are in the position to never have to work, you will have to put up with some crap no matter your position in the company. Don't expect your manager to make things better for you, they are too busy complaining about how bad their manager is on up the line to the owner complaining how unreasonable the customer is.

If it is really that bad, leave. It is the only power you have. If there is some reason you can't leave then understand that not leaving is still a choice and you are staying because you value something else more than your opinion of the shop, and accept the choice you make.

[Justarius]

Great way to put it.

I totally agree about choices and we all make them every day and we have to continue to make them.

This Rant is more about who we are in relationship with the industry. I complain to say that we need to stand up and fight and not let our employers continue to hire people at the same rate as a qualified technician just to be getting paid the same as me but I am having to teach them EVERYTHING. I understand hiring a person with 5 years sim experiance and he has just switched to a differant sim and needs to be tought, but to take an electronics only tech (as defined by Lincoln Tech or some other electronics schools as a guy that can be a copier repairman or a security systems installer) and have to teach them Hydrualics, software, and mechanical device maintenance is obserd.

Keep in mind this happens mostly on SCA or CBA contracts with the military. The contract allows them to hire so many at a rate and they do.

We need to be defined and live up to that definition so that we can honestly make the money we are worth. Electronics technician is not the definician we need. If we are to change it to Simulator technician then why bother? I know how much I do and what many of you do also and the title Simultor Engineer is what the majority of us are. I can see tecnician up to a point but when you have to develope, test, and install devices you are now an engineer.

[Egyptian]

Justarius said "We need to be defined and live up to that definition so that we can honestly make the money we are worth."


Since when was anyone paid what they are wothh in this field. banghead: Most if not all stay in it becuase it is the job we love.em23423


Egyptian

[The Pirate]

to quote an old navy CW04, my EMO, the chain of management is like a tree full of monkeys. the monkeys at the top of the tree, when they look down, all they see are smiling faces. the monkeys at the bottom, when they look up, all they see are a-holes.bootyshak bootyshak

or, from the other side, (Jorge) when the owners of the circus are talking, the monkeys should shut up.buttkick:

[mbushaw]

Most if not all stay in it becuase it is the job we love.
Egyptian
Amen.

[fakeplanefixer]

At McChord the sim techs got tired of being refered to as bicycle repair men and the like. The latest company took over the simulator contract and devised new ways of squeezing more money out of us so we could have the privilige of working on the simulators. The wages and benefits were not enough to keep up with the cost of living. The technicians banded together on the C-130 contract and formed an Association of SimulatorTechnicians. They collectively help the companies feet to the fire for better wages than were set forth by SCA. They were able to get a better salary package with some annual pay raises built in. Unless technicians ban together locally or nationally we will continue to get screwed when it comes to pay and benefits.cuss:

[Justarius]

By chance did you or your co-works work out a title change in the CBA? just wondering... this is exactly what I am talking about though... I hate to say it but unions are the way to go because the DOD will not see it otherwise... I also think that non military outfits need to do the same to really get us seperated out in the industry.


Keep in mind we do not want to over price our selves out of the industry either.

A posible negative effect is that they change the title and relize they only need one "sim engineer" and 3 electronic technicians. Under the SCA we really have no fear in that because the job discription saves us as to what we do, it just does not match who they hire right now under SCA by the SCA job discription.

[Jeff]

A Tech III approached me the other day. I've known him for 30 years. He's a good guy and an able technician. He was carping about the union and the rank and file not having enough balls to demand higher pay during recent contract negotiations. As a former sim tech I was sympathetic but not overly. I mean the guy is making $55K per year for a job that has a lot of easy days and I see him taking six or seven smoke breaks every day. Any bright young man can figure out that being a lifelong sim technician has no great financial rewards unless he's an entepreneur and few of us are that. The smart techs continue their college education and become simulator engineers where the pay is a bit better and the career rewards a bit better. Working for someone else ain't going to make you rich!

[Tenny1981]

We have been fighting this issue for a while. we are told that the SCA titles are based off of DOL titles. now with that being said we were also told that the company submitted new classifications to DOL and were turned away because the descriptions appeared to be the same.(i take it they only read the first line of the description) so i wrote job descriptions for DOL however no one is interested in looking now. My crew all feel its a good write-up but it still needs to be submitted and until DOL takes control of it it will not get implemented. If anyone here wants to try to get them submitted to DOL hit me up and i will provide a copy of what i have. We all need to work together to get a differant classification.

[Justarius]

Is this something you would feel comfertible posting for other to read? I would love to see how it reads myself. I do not have any contacts in that area of politics but that is not to say I would not give it a try.

[The Pirate]

We have been fighting this issue for a while. we are told that the SCA titles are based off of DOL titles. now with that being said we were also told that the company submitted new classifications to DOL and were turned away because the descriptions appeared to be the same.(i take it they only read the first line of the description) so i wrote job descriptions for DOL however no one is interested in looking now. My crew all feel its a good write-up but it still needs to be submitted and until DOL takes control of it it will not get implemented. If anyone here wants to try to get them submitted to DOL hit me up and i will provide a copy of what i have. We all need to work together to get a differant classification.

I worked sca/wdl 9 years for AAI/ESI, and the funny thing we found about sca/wdl, is it is not a maximum amount pay for the job classification, rather a minimum that the contractor must pay for the job class/ description. also many tech's in conus found out the head shed was using out of date or lower wdl's from "nearby" areas instead of the "specific" area we were located. we found on several occasions that a 10 mi move could affect pay as much as $6.00 per hour. i say keep up the good work, and if we had found info on an association, we could have made more money a lot sooner with a lot less hassle.box2:

[Tenny1981]

Is this something you would feel comfertible posting for other to read? I would love to see how it reads myself. I do not have any contacts in that area of politics but that is not to say I would not give it a try.
i will post it later tonight for you. maybe someone in here might be able to do something with it. as i feel it might benefit all sim techs. not just us at my location.

I worked sca/wdl 9 years for AAI/ESI, and the funny thing we found about sca/wdl, is it is not a maximum amount pay for the job classification, rather a minimum that the contractor must pay for the job class/ description. also many tech's in conus found out the head shed was using out of date or lower wdl's from "nearby" areas instead of the "specific" area we were located. we found on several occasions that a 10 mi move could affect pay as much as $6.00 per hour. i say keep up the good work, and if we had found info on an association, we could have made more money a lot sooner with a lot less hassle.box2:
thats what we have been seeing. WD is a min and we do have a few people paid more but most is just that min. anotherthing is WD is based off of where the DOL is located . as with florida its based out of miami i believe so the guys that work in BFE actually come out ahead because they live in a lower cost area where we live in the higher cost area and its well below what it should be. i hate to be able to say this but i actually took a substantial pay cut leaving the military to work in simulation, but what can i say i love it.

(Off Topic) The Pirate, is that a Surface Warfare Specialist pin? Good to see a Navy guy around here. Aviation Warfare Specialiest here!

[The Pirate]

i will post it later tonight for you. maybe someone in here might be able to do something with it. as i feel it might benefit all sim techs. not just us at my location.


thats what we have been seeing. WD is a min and we do have a few people paid more but most is just that min. anotherthing is WD is based off of where the DOL is located . as with florida its based out of miami i believe so the guys that work in BFE actually come out ahead because they live in a lower cost area where we live in the higher cost area and its well below what it should be. i hate to be able to say this but i actually took a substantial pay cut leaving the military to work in simulation, but what can i say i love it.

(Off Topic) The Pirate, is that a Surface Warfare Specialist pin? Good to see a Navy guy around here. Aviation Warfare Specialiest here!

sorry, no. that, my friend is a set of silver, or enlisted Submarine Service "dolphins" which cost me almost a year of degradation, scud work, butt-kissing(?) and knowledge on every system in a sub. when presented with them, there is this quaint ceremony where all "qualified" submariners get to "tack" them on, meaning using anything except lethal weapons to pound the metal device into your chest. i was lucky, mine broke half way through the line and the corpsman had to take them out with forcepts. ah, yes, the days of men were men and small animals ran scared.........
p.s. started out as a "DS", ended up as a "FTG1(SS)lolhit:

[Justarius]

Well as I have said before everything is in the TITLE. We recently received the new SCA for our area and low and behold they changed the Instructors TITLES to Air Crew Training Devices Instructors (rated and non-rated). Oh yes there is a raise that goes with that TITLE they got $12.00 more an hour. So what’s in a name? "Money"

BTW if you can't tell I am just a little upset. I was told just a few years ago that DOL agreed that we needed a better job description and a name to better describe "who we are" but we were told that DOL would not change it because it would cost too much money to do this on their budget.

Andy if you read this is there a way to start a petition using the web site? If I can get the right organization involved.

I understand some of you are Civilian and some DOL and of those some are CBA and some are SCA, but all in all we are all or have been simulator technicians.

More to come...

[Justarius]

Below you will first see how we are defined. Then you will see how technicians with a little differant job discriptions are defined. The reason for the title of this RANT is because if they change to a more technical title they may also add more levels of expertise. and if you do look at SCA wage you see that levels 1-4 are less than what we get now. That aside I would not approach it that way any way. I would say we are in the technical occupations but require still another title rather than engineering technician. Just as they have done with the Instructors by giving them Aircrew training devices instructor. I believe we can justify a simular change.

http://www.dol.gov/esa/regs/compliance/whd/wage/p23000.htm

Service Contract Act Directory of Occupations

23000 MECHANICS AND MAINTENANCE AND REPAIR OCCUPATIONS

This category includes occupations concerned with maintaining and repairing buildings, grounds, and related facilities; and with installing, repairing, rebuilding, and maintaining in efficient operating condition a wide variety of engines and mechanical equipment designed for use in domestics, commercial, industrial, and agricultural activites.

23181 ELECTRONICS TECHNICIAN, MAINTENANCE I
Applies technical knowledge to perform simple or routine tasks following detailed instructions. Performs such tasks as replacing components and wiring circuits; repairing simple electronic equipment; and taking test readings using common instruments such as digital multimeters, signal generators, semiconductor testers, curve tracers, and oscilloscopes.
Receives technical guidance, as required, from supervisor or higher level technician. Work is spot-checked for accuracy.

23182 ELECTRONICS TECHNICIAN, MAINTENANCE II
Applies comprehensive technical knowledge to solve complex problems by interpreting manufacturers' manuals or similar documents. Work requires familiarity with the interrelationships of circuits and judgment in planning work sequence and in selecting tools and testing instruments.
Receives technical guidance, as required, from supervisor or higher level technician, and work is reviewed for compliance with accepted practices. May provide technical guidance to lower level technicians.

23183 ELECTRONICS TECHNICIAN, MAINTENANCE III
Applies advanced technical knowledge to solve unusually complex problems that typically cannot be solved solely by referencing manufacturers' manuals or similar documents. Examples of such problems include determining the location and density of circuitry, evaluating electromagnetic radiation, isolating malfunctions, and incorporating engineering changes.
Work typically requires a detailed understanding of the interrelationships of circuits. Exercises independent judgment in performing such tasks as making circuit analyses, calculating wave forms, and tracing relationships in signal flow. Uses complex test instruments such as high frequency pulse generators, frequency synthesizers, distortion analyzers, and complex computer control equipment. Work may be reviewed by supervisor for general compliance with accepted practices. May provide technical guidance to lower level technicians.

[Justarius]

29000 TECHNICAL OCCUPATIONS

This category includes occupations concerned with providing technical assistance to engineers and scientists in both laboratory and production activities as well as occupations concerned with independently operating and servicing technical equipment and systems. Characteristic of occupations in this category is the requirements for a knowledge of scientific, engineering, and mathematical theories, principles and techniques that is less than full professional knowledge but which nevertheless enables the technician to understand how and why a specific device or system operates.
The technician solves practical problems encountered in fields of specialization, such as those concerned with development of electrical and electronic circuits, and establishment of testing methods for electrical, electronic, electromechanical, and hydromechanical devices and mechanisms; application of engineering principles in solving design , development, and modification problems of parts or assemblies for products or systems; and application of natural and physical science principles to basic or applied research problems in fields, such as metallurgy, chemistry, and physics. May perform technical procedures and related activities independently.
Workers with the title of Technician who are concerned primarily with maintenance and repair are classified with Mechanics and Maintenance and Repair Occupations.

29081 ENGINEERING TECHNICIAN I
Performs simple routine tasks under close supervision or from detailed procedures. Work is checked in progress or on completion. Performs one or a combination of such typical duties as:
Assembles or installs equipment or parts requiring simple wiring, soldering, or connecting.
Performs simple or routine tasks or tests such as tensile or hardness tests; operates and adjusts simple test equipment; records test data.
Gathers and maintains specified records of engineering data such as tests, drawings, etc.; performs computations by substituting numbers in specified formulas; plots data and draws simple curves and graphs.

29082 ENGINEERING TECHNICIAN II
Performs standardized or prescribed assignments involving a sequence of related operations. Follows standard work methods on recurring assignments but receives explicit instructions on unfamiliar assignments; technical adequacy of routine work is reviewed on completion; nonroutine work may also be reviewed in progress.
Performs at this level one or a combination of such typical duties as:
Following specific instructions, assembles or constructs simple or standard equipment or parts; may service or repair simple instruments or equipment.
Conducts a variety of tests using established methods. Prepares test specimens, adjusts and operates equipment, and records test data, pointing out deviations resulting from equipment malfunction or observational errors.
Extracts engineering data from various prescribed but nonstandardized sources; processes the data following well-defined methods including elementary algebra and geometry; presents the data in prescribed form.

29083 ENGINEERING TECHNICIAN III
Performs assignments that are not completely standardized or prescribed. Selects or adapts standard procedures or equipment, using fully applicable precedents. Receives initial instructions, equipment requirements, and advice from supervisor or engineer as needed; performs recurring work independently; work is reviewed for technical adequacy or conformity with instructions. Performs at this level one or a combination of such typical duties as:
Constructs components, subunits, or simple models or adapts standard equipment. May troubleshoot and correct malfunctions.
Follows specific layout and scientific diagrams to construct and package simple devices and subunits of equipment.
Conducts various tests or experiments which may require minor modifications in test setups or procedures as well as subjective judgments in measurement; selects, sets up, and operates standard test equipment and records test data.
Extracts and compiles a variety of engineering data from field notes, manuals, lab reports, etc.; processes data, identifying errors or inconsistencies; selects methods of data presentation.
Assists in design modification by compiling data related to design, specifications, and materials which are pertinent to specific items of equipment or component parts. Develops information concerning previous operational failures and modifications. Uses judgment and initiative to recognize inconsistencies or gaps in data and seek sources to clarify information.

29084 ENGINEERING TECHNICIAN IV
Performs nonroutine assignments of substantial variety and complexity, using operational precedents which are not fully applicable. Such assignments, which are typically parts of broader assignments, are screened to eliminate unusual design problems. May also plan such assignments. Receives technical advice from supervisor or engineer; work is reviewed for technical adequacy (or conformity with instructions). May be assisted by lower level technicians and have frequent contact with professionals and others within the establishment. Performs at this level one or a combination of such typical duties as:
Develops or reviews designs by extracting and analyzing a variety of engineering data. Applies conventional engineering practices to develop, prepare, or recommend schematics, designs, specifications, electrical drawings and parts lists. Examples of designs include: detailed circuit diagrams; hardware fittings or test equipment involving a variety of mechanisms; conventional piping systems; and building site layouts.
Conducts tests or experiments requiring selection and adaptation or modification of a wide variety of critical test equipment and test procedures; sets up and operates equipment; records data, measures and records problems of significant complexity that sometimes require resolution at a higher level; and analyzes data and prepares test reports.
Applies methods outlined by others to limited segments of research and development projects; constructs experimental or prototype models to meet engineering requirements; conducts tests or experiments and redesigns as necessary; and records and evaluates data and reports findings.

29085 ENGINEERING TECHNICIAN V
Performs nonroutine and complex assignments involving responsibility for planning and conducting a complete project of relatively limited scope or a portion of a larger and more diverse project. Selects and adapts plans, techniques, designs, or layouts. Contacts personnel in related activities to resolve problems and coordinate the work; reviews, analyzes, and integrates the technical work of others. Supervisor or professional engineer outlines objectives, requirements, and design approaches; completed work is reviewed for technical adequacy and satisfaction of requirements. May train and be assisted by lower level technicians. Performs at this level one or a combination of such typical duties as:
Designs, develops, and constructs major units, devices, or equipment; conducts tests or experiments; analyzes results and redesigns or modifies equipment to improve performance; and reports results.
From general guidelines and specifications (e.g., size or weight requirements), develops designs for equipment without critical performance requirements which are difficult to satisfy such as engine parts, research instruments, or special purpose circuitry. Analyzes technical data to determine applicability to design problems; selects from several possible design layouts; calculates design data; and prepares layouts, detailed specifications, parts lists, estimates, procedures, etc. May check and analyze drawings or equipment to determine adequacy of drawings and design.
Plans or assists in planning tests to evaluate equipment performance. Determines test requirements, equipment modification, and test procedures; conducts tests using all types of instruments; analyzes and evaluates test results, and prepares reports on findings and recommendations.

29086 ENGINEERING TECHNICIAN VI
Independently plans and accomplishes complete projects or studies of broad scope and complexity. Or serves as an expert in a narrow aspect of a particular field of engineering, e.g., environmental factors affecting electronic engineering. Complexity of assignments typically requires considerable creativity and judgment to devise approaches to accomplish work, resolve design and operational problems, and make decisions in situations where standard engineering methods, procedures, and techniques may not be applicable. Supervisor or professional engineer provides advice on unusual or controversial problems or policy matters; completed work is reviewed for compliance with overall project objectives. May supervise or train and be assisted by lower level technicians. Performs, at this level, one or a combination of such typical duties as:
Prepares designs and specifications for various complex equipment or systems (e.g., a heating system in an office building, or new electronic components such as solid state devices for instrumentation equipment).
Plans approach to solve design problems; conceives and recommends new design techniques; resolves design problems with contract personnel, and assures compatibility of design with other parts of the system.
Designs and coordinates test set ups and experiments to prove or disprove the feasibility of preliminary design; uses untried and untested measurement techniques; and improves the performance of the equipment. May advise equipment users on redesign to solve unique operational deficiencies.
Plans approach and conducts various experiments to develop equipment or systems characterized by (a) difficult performance requirements because of conflicting attributes such as versatility, size, and ease of operation; or (b) unusual combination of techniques or components. Arranges for fabrication of pilot models and determines test procedures and design of special test equipment