Electronics Engineer

Caltech; California; On-site; USD 100,000 - 142,000; Full time

Job summary

Caltech's Owens Valley Radio Observatory seeks an electronics engineer to develop an instrument for fast radio burst detection in the microwave domain. The project repurposes 3.5 m antennas and advances FRB science with new hardware and software integration.

Under senior staff, you will plan, test, and commission the instrument, collaborating with partners on control software and digital processing. The role is on-site near Big Pine, CA, with rolling applications and contact [e-mail] for

Qualifications

• Four-year degree or higher in Electronics Engineering, Mechatronics, Physics, or related field.
• At least four years’ experience working with electromechanical systems.
• Knowledge of analog and digital electronic design and debugging.
• Demonstrated ability to plan and execute complex hardware projects.
• Good troubleshooting skills.
• Ability to lead a small team.
• Must have a valid driver's license at the time of hire and maintain it throughout employment.
• Pre-employment DMV and background checks required.

Responsibilities

• Plan and detailedly review antenna drives, electronics, receivers, software, and infrastructure.
• Prepare a plan to implement and commission an operating instrument.
• Execute the plan with assistance of other staff as necessary.
• Repurpose existing antennas with new hardware to extend observing range.
• Collaborate with partners providing antenna control software and processing hardware.
• Report to the Site Director and work with engineers and technicians on OVRO projects.
• Create and maintain documentation; perform astronomical measurements to demonstrate performance.

Skills

Analog & digital design

Electromechanical systems

Project planning & execution

Troubleshooting

Team leadership

Driver's license valid

Documentation skills

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher in Electronics Engineering, Mechatronics, Physics, or related field

Tools

Cryogenic systems familiarity

RF/microwave instrumentation

Antenna control software experience

Job description

Caltech is a world-renowned science and engineering institute that marshals some of the world's brightest minds and most innovative tools to address fundamental scientific questions. We thrive on finding and cultivating talented people who are passionate about what they do. Join us and be a part of the diverse Caltech community.

The Owens Valley Radio Observatory (OVRO) is one of the largest and most advanced university-operated radio observatories in the world. Managed by the California Institute of Technology (Caltech), OVRO serves as a premier research hub dedicated to pushing the boundaries of radio astronomy and astrophysics.

Job Summary

We are seeking an electronics engineer for OVRO to develop an instrument for fast radio burst (FRB) detection in the microwave domain. This instrument will utilize existing 3.5-m-diameter antennas that will be repurposed and upgraded to open up a new frequency window for FRB science. The project principal investigators (PIs) and co-PIs are based at Cornell University, the University of Chicago, and Caltech. This position is an opportunity to be part of a diverse team working on leading astronomical instrumentation with prospects of increasing seniority at the observatory.

Under the guidance of senior staff, the selected candidate will review the status of the antennas, including the drives, electronics, receivers, software, and infrastructure, and prepare a plan to implement and commission an operating instrument. They will be responsible for executing the plan with the assistance of other staff as necessary. The goal is to repurpose existing antennas along with new specialized hardware to extend the observing range for fast time-domain astronomy. The development will be in close collaboration with other partners who will provide antenna control software and digital acquisition and processing hardware. The selected candidate will report directly to the Site Director as well as being responsive to the goals of the PI. As part of the OVRO staff, they will work with other engineers and technicians and may be called on to contribute to other projects. In the future, the scope of work will transition over to other projects that the observatory will be developing. The position will be conducted in-person and on-site at the OVRO near Big Pine, California.

For more information about the position, please contact the hiring manager and OVRO Site Director, James Lamb, [e-mail].

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. Applications received by Tuesday, December 8, 2026 will receive full consideration. The position will remain open until filled.

• Detailed planning of tasks
• Building up test setups as required
• Evaluating the current state of the instrument
• Testing and refurbishing or replacing cryogenic systems for the receivers
• Testing receiver and ancillary electronics and repairing or replacing
• Testing drive system interlocks and emergency switches
• Evaluating and repairing cooling systems for antenna electronics
• Supervising installation of power and fiber to antennas
• Optical pointing of antenna
• Evaluation, repair, and testing of the RF signal chain
• Verification of all monitor and control
• Creation and maintenance of documentation
• Astronomical measurements to demonstrate performance
• Other duties as assigned

Basic Qualifications

• A four-year degree or higher in Electronics Engineering, Mechatronics, Physics, or a related field
• At least four years’ experience working with electromechanical systems
• Knowledge of analog and digital electronic design and debugging
• Demonstrated ability to plan and execute complex hardware projects
• Good troubleshooting skills
• Ability to lead a small team
• Must have a valid driver's license at the time of hire and maintain it throughout the course of employment.
• Pre-employment DMV and background checks required

Preferred Qualifications

• Familiarity with cryogenic systems
• RF or microwave experience
• Radio astronomy instrumentation and techniques
• Experience with drive systems
• Experience in developing and running automated testing

Required Documents

• Resume

Hiring Range

$100,000 - $142,400 Per Year

The salary of the finalist(s) selected for this role will be set based on a variety of factors, including but not limited to, internal equity, experience, education, specialty and training.

As one of the largest employers in Pasadena, CA, Caltech is committed to providing comprehensive benefits to eligible employees and their eligible dependents. Our benefits package includes competitive compensation, health, dental, and vision insurance, retirement savings plans, generous paid time off (vacation, holidays, sick time, parental leave, bereavement, etc.), tuition reimbursement, and more. Non-benefit eligible employees will have access to some benefits such as onsite counseling and sick time. Learn more about our benefits and staff perks .

EEO Statement

Caltech is an equal opportunity employer and, as a federal contractor, takes affirmative action to employ qualified individuals with disabilities and protected veterans. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.

Disability Accommodations

Caltech complies with the Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA) and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). We consider reasonable accommodation measures that may be necessary for eligible applicants and employees to perform the essential functions of a position.

If you would like to request an accommodation to complete this application, interview, or otherwise participate in the employee selection process, please contact Caltech Recruiting at [e-mail] .

Additionally, if you do not meet the basic qualifications of a role but believe you can perform the essential functions of the job with reasonable accommodation, please reach out to Caltech Recruiting at [e-mail] .