First let me say thank you for taking your time to read this.
I'm a calibration technician that has been out of the field for over 11 years and I'm trying to
reenter the field. I have over 12 year experience as an technician / instructor, 8 as a calibration technician, USN - trained at Lowry.
I know I might be reaching a bit to far but I'm going to try.
The help I ask for is any information; on companies to avoid, going salaries, best areas of the country to look for employment and
possibility of employment, given my situation. I'm willing to move anywhere.
I've been out of the country, living in Japan. So I know nothing about the market.
I know this is a lot to ask but I truly need your help.
Any and all information you think I should know is truly appreciated.
Hi David,
Greetings from Australia. I live down here and work at a local university. I've been out of the PMEL field for a dozen years myself. I doubt you'd have much trouble finding a job. It took me ten minutes to line one up with Kay & Associates at Warner-Robins AFB in Georgia when I was looking last year. I was thinking to quit my current job here and move back to the US at the time.
Kay is always looking for people. Pay is good for Georgia...but nothing to get excited about. As I recall it was $21.74 an hour at the time. They also claimed there would be a reasonable amount of overtime. Benefits were pretty poor though...almost nothing. That's the main reason they have a hard time keeping people. As an entry back into the PMEL world though - they may do until something better comes along.
They offered to pay half my airfare back to the US and a couple nights in a local motel...that was it for relocation. I turned them down but would consider them again if I had to...A couple of the guys here on this board work/have worked for them. Flamy is one but he's been very quiet lately - don't know if he's still there...
Anyway, that's one possibility. I may be going thru the same routine again soon...my job here may be eliminated in a couple months as a cost-saving measure.
Good luck!
We work for Yulista here on the Air Force ACC contract. They also have the PACAF contracts at Hickam, Guam, and Eilson (Fairbanks). They have several others scatered around the country as well.
I think most of the technician positions are at or around the $26.00 an hour range. Bennefits are pretty good (at least for us), and I have no idea about relocation money. They usually offer it, but It's probably not going to pay for everything, just take the sting out of it.
Last time I looked at Yulista's web site, you could go just about anywhere in the country. So pick where you want to live and I'll bet theres a someplace within 500 miles of that spot. Maybe not with Yulista but certainly with one of the companies we at the PMEL Forum work for (or know of).
I also think there are some opportunities With the Bionetics corporation in Florida, as well as other places. Don't know too much about them, I know select people in several places, but couldn't recommend one over another.
These are all military contract labs, plenty of the guys here work for private companies as well. They may have other options for you.
You're getting back into the greatest job at a perfect time!
I agree with Freezer. We also need to demand better wages for what we do. I can't complain about my income, but many of you do not get what you deserve. With the shortage of PMEL trained techs we should be able to demand more money and get it. Most calibration companies are always hiring and they need us more than we need them. The average per hour rate for calibration is over $120 and some even higher, but most in the business get only $ 22 - $26 an hour. Keep in mind most companies are charging an hour for only a 30 - 40 minute cal. Do the math. They have a profit margin of more than 80%. A company can run in the Black with a 35% profit margin. Companies like Lockheed Martin in Orlando, FL are hiring none certified techs and paying them $12 - $15 an hour and are not calibrating like they should. I had a local customer send in a piece of equipment that had a Non-Linear error and could not be adjusted. I tried to adjust it and 2 other techs ( Ex-PMEL Also ) looked at it as well. I sent it back to the customer and they sent it to Lockheed in Orlando and they returned it to the cutomer as intolerance as found. We had to invite the customer to the lab with the piece of equipment to prove that it was no good. So far our wages have increase dramatically from when I first started in 1989, but we still have a long way to go. Please, when you are job hunting and you already have a job demand more money. I did and got it. It's the only way we will be able to increase our wages.
Texas is a hot market for the cal field and the cost of living here is pretty darn cheap. I work for Lockheed Martin in Ft Worth and the benefits/pay is super. Cali has a lot of openings but I suggest not moving there (see thread titled "What's the worst state to live in" located in the polls section of the forum"). :mrgreen:
Send your resume` here and see what happens:
26 July 2006---------------------------
National Calibration Inc., established in 1955 is a growing full service calibration company, with multiple offices located throughout the Western United States. Our A2LA accredited team provides calibration & repair of test & measurement equipment.
We have immediate opportunities in our Phoenix facility for field & laboratory technician to perform calibrations and repairs. You must be able to perform calibration and certification of test, measurement & diagnostic equipment (TMDE). Previous calibration experience is required.
Corporate Recruiting Manager
3737 E Broadway Rd
Phoenix, AZ 85040
Fax: (602) 437-8897
E-mail: [email protected]
Quote from: PMEL_DEVIL-DOG on 07-27-2006 -- 06:56:06
Texas is a hot market for the cal field and the cost of living here is pretty darn cheap. I work for Lockheed Martin in Ft Worth and the benefits/pay is super. Cali has a lot of openings but I suggest not moving there (see thread titled "What's the worst state to live in" located in the polls section of the forum"). :mrgreen:
What's up with Lockheed in Orlando?
Not sure...don't know anyone who works there... :|
You do not want to work for Wyle at Patrick AFB or at the Cape or at KSC. I believe Bionetics is looking for techs at Wright Patterson AFB, maybe also at MacDill AFB. Arnold AFB may be looking for a QA.
Places you are looking at may or may not have a union, they may or may not be following the wage determination schedule. State and local income taxes, cost of living in an area, length of remaining contract the contractor currently has...these are things you might consider.
PMEL.org is a good site for PMEL job posting, as well as this site.
AFMETCAL.AF.MIL has 00-20-14 electronically, if you are considering an AFB contractor job, you might check it out...learn it...live it...love it.
Good luck!
I see Yulista is advertising re their PACAF labs. What are the benefits like? Anything trendy - like matched retirement payments...what about medical and leave? Thanks!!
Quote from: clacoste on 10-20-2006 -- 06:57:27
I see Yulista is advertising re their PACAF labs. What are the benefits like? Anything trendy - like matched retirement payments...what about medical and leave? Thanks!!
go to their web site and see: http://www.yulista.com/