Active Optics Control Scientist

Aura Recruiting, LLC.; Tucson (AZ); On-site; USD 89,000 - 100,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Paid time off

Retirement plan contributions

Collaborative mission-driven work

Job summary

The Vera C. Rubin Observatory, operated by AURA, seeks an exceptional Active Optics Control Scientist to lead optimization of the observatory’s active optics performance and ensure world-class image quality from Cerro Pachón, Chile.

You will work with a distributed international team, advancing control algorithms, latency reduction, and software modernization to support groundbreaking science over the ten-year LSST program. This role requires travel and deep expertise in optical systems.

Qualifications

• PhD in Astronomy, Optical Sciences, Physics, or a related discipline.
• 3+ years of experience developing, commissioning, or operating active optics or adaptive optics systems.
• Strong background in controls theory and control algorithm development.
• Experience with simulation, modeling, and analytical tools.
• Proficiency in Python or a comparable scientific programming language.
• Ability and willingness to travel domestically and internationally, including observatory locations.

Responsibilities

• Evaluate and improve on-sky active optics performance.
• Lead the optimization of active optics control algorithms.
• Analyze delivered image quality and identify performance improvements.
• Streamline, standardize, and modernize active optics control software.
• Drive end-to-end optimization of the active optics pipeline to reduce latency and execution time.
• Collaborate with scientists, software engineers, optical engineers, and operations teams across an international organization.
• Help ensure Rubin consistently achieves the image quality required for groundbreaking science.

Skills

Active optics

Adaptive optics

Controls theory

Python

Travel

Education

PhD in Astronomy/Optical Sciences/Physics

Tools

Zemax

Code V

Git/GitHub

Job description

The Vera C. Rubin Observatory is beginning one of the most ambitious scientific projects in history: the Legacy Survey of Space and Time (LSST), a ten-year survey designed to transform our understanding of the universe. From probing dark matter and dark energy to discovering transient cosmic events and mapping our Solar System, Rubin will generate an unprecedented view of the sky.

To achieve this mission, Rubin relies on one of the most sophisticated active optics systems ever deployed. We are seeking an exceptional Active Optics Control Scientist to lead the optimization of the observatory’s active optics performance and help deliver world-class image quality from a revolutionary astronomical facility located on Cerro Pachón, Chile.

This is a unique opportunity for scientists and engineers passionate about optical systems, control algorithms, large-scale scientific instrumentation, and operational excellence.

What You’ll Do

As the Active Optics Control Scientist, you will play a critical role in advancing the performance of Rubin’s active optics system during operational commissioning and survey operations. You will:

• Evaluate and improve on-sky active optics performance.
• Lead the optimization of active optics control algorithms.
• Analyze delivered image quality and identify performance improvements.
• Streamline, standardize, and modernize active optics control software.
• Drive end-to-end optimization of the active optics pipeline to reduce latency and execution time.
• Collaborate with scientists, software engineers, optical engineers, and operations teams across an international organization.
• Help ensure Rubin consistently achieves the image quality required for groundbreaking science.

What We’re Looking For

• PhD in Astronomy, Optical Sciences, Physics, or a related discipline.
• 3+ years of experience developing, commissioning, or operating active optics or adaptive optics systems.
• Strong background in controls theory and control algorithm development.
• Experience with simulation, modeling, and analytical tools.
• Proficiency in Python or a comparable scientific programming language.
• Ability and willingness to travel domestically and internationally, including observatory locations.

Preferred Experience

We are especially interested in candidates with:

• Telescope or large scientific facility commissioning experience.
• Hands-on experience with optical control systems, laboratory optical testbeds, or precision instrumentation.
• Expertise using Zemax, Code V, or similar optical modeling tools.
• Experience with Git/GitHub-based software development workflows.
• Success working within globally distributed technical teams.
• Strong technical writing and scientific communication skills.

Why This Role Is Different

Few positions offer the opportunity to:

• Optimize a cutting-edge active optics system operating on one of the world’s most advanced telescopes.
• Influence the image quality delivered by a facility expected to redefine time-domain astronomy.
• Work alongside internationally recognized experts in astronomy, optics, controls, and software engineering.
• See your work directly impact scientific discoveries for the next decade.
• Live and work in either Tucson, Arizona or La Serena, Chile, two global centers of astronomical research.

Salary Range: $89,000 – $100,000 per year. The final salary will depend on skills, qualifications and experience.

Salaries for positions hired in Chile meet Chile national market rates and internal scales for AURA.

Help bring the universe into sharper focus.

AURA offers a competitive benefits package that includes:

• Paid time off
• Employer retirement plan contributions
• A collaborative and mission-driven work environment
• The opportunity to support internationally recognized astronomical research

For additional benefits information, visit AURA Benefits by Location.

This position will remain open until filled. Anyone who needs a reasonable accommodation to participate in the application or interview process may request support here.