Element Manager, Wavefront Sensing & Control

GMTO Corporation; Pasadena (CA); Hybrid; USD 210,000 - 285,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance

Vision insurance

401(k)

Dental insurance

Disability insurance

Job summary

Giant Magellan Telescope Corporation seeks an Element Manager for Wavefront Sensing & Control in Pasadena, CA. You will lead the WFSC team, align with engineering, plan tasks and manage schedules for AO subsystem development, and oversee external partners to deliver mature designs and testbeds.

The role requires extensive experience in optical systems, adaptive optics, and program leadership, with travel to vendor and observatory sites as needed. Hybrid work with onsite presence in California.

Qualifications

• M.S. degree in optical science, astronomy, physics, or a related field.
• Demonstrated ability to lead cross-functional global teams.
• Experience in management and delivery of adaptive optics systems.

Responsibilities

• Lead the WFSC team and align with system engineering to ensure traceability to requirements.
• Plan, manage and track tasks, resources, and deliverables for AO subsystem development.
• Oversee external partners and subcontractors delivering designs, testbeds and prototypes.
• Coordinate design reviews and gate events, and present progress to leadership.

Skills

Cross-functional leadership

Team management

Optical systems engineering

AO systems experience

Hands-on testbeds

Excellent communication

Willingness to travel

Education

M.S. in optical science/astronomy/physics

Ph.D. in optical science/astronomy/physics

Tools

Test facilities

Job description

Title: Element Manager, Wavefront Sensing & Control

Element: Wavefront Sensing & Control

Manager: Wavefront Sensing & Control Manager

Type: Full time

Location: Pasadena, CA

JOB SUMMARY

The Element Manager of the Giant Magellan Telescope (GMT) Wavefront Sensing & Control (WFSC) Element will assume a leadership role in bringing the WFSC subsystems design to full maturity and planning their final integration, test and delivery. The current phase of GMT’s WFSC development is opportunity-rich for creative solutions and significant contributions to the detailed design of a cutting edge Extremely Large Telescope (ELT) on the frontiers of astronomy. The WFSC Element Manager will be responsible for oversight of the team responsible for technical work while reporting to the GMT Project Manager. The EM will provide leadership in the execution and coordination of technical scope and schedule.

JOB DUTIES

• Lead the WFSC team and collaborate with System Engineering to ensure technical designs are traceable to system-level requirements.
• Work with the WFSC Senior Project Coordinator to plan, manage and track tasks, resources, and deliverables related to AO subsystem development.
• Provide technical leadership and oversight of GMTO partner institutions and subcontractors responsible for executing GMTO’s outsourced designs, testbeds and prototypes.
• Plan, convene and coordinate external independent reviews of WFSC final designs.

• Supervise as well as prepare and deliver presentations at GMTO technical gate reviews and conferences.

• Coordinate with other organizational elements across the GMT Project to mature interfaces and to identify and manage interdependencies between WFSC and other Project elements.

• Review and understand test results of optical/electronic/mechanical prototypes designed to validate designs and/or burn down performance risks.
• Own and ensure delivery of WFSC milestones including NSF reports, financial and schedule performance status. Delegate delivery of internal technical documentation of the GMT AO subsystem requirements, design and performance.
• Participate in the procurement and testing of AO-related subsystems such as wavefront sensors, calibration sources, real-time computer systems and/or laser guide star facility subsystems.
• Lead the the AO laboratory verification of the performance of the WFSC subsystems and the AO control algorithms correcting for atmospheric disturbances and segment phase piston errors as well as the final site acceptance testing and delivery of AO subsystems to telescope commissioning.
• Contribute to key technical decisions impacting subsystem design, integration, and performance.

ESSENTIAL SKILLS, KNOWLEDGE, AND ABILITIES

• M.S. degree in optical science, astronomy, physics, or a related field
• Minimum of 10+ years of relevant experience in optical systems, adaptive optics, or related complex engineering programs.
• Demonstrated ability to work in a cross-functional global collaborative team environment
• Experience in the following areas:
  • Management and delivery of Adaptive Optics systems or astronomical instruments and key components such as cameras, detectors, deformable mirrors
  • Optical Systems Engineering
  • Hands-on experience developing adaptive optics systems and/or hardware-in-the-loop (HIL) optical testbeds
  • Management on either the programmatic or people-management side
• Basic understanding of simulations, modeling techniques, components, and testing methods
• Outstanding written and oral communication skills
• Willingness to travel to foreign and domestic vendor and observatory locations as the need arises

DESIRED SKILLS, KNOWLEDGE, AND ABILITIES

• Ph.D. degree in optical science, astronomy, physics, or a related field
• Experience in technical management of state-of-the-art complex systems including creation of budgets and schedules
• Experience in Real time controls and Systems Engineering
• Experience operating in a laboratory environment with personnel and hardware safety protocol
• Hands-on experience developing and testing astronomical adaptive optics systems, astronomical instruments and/or laboratory optical testbeds
• Experience with earned value management techniques

WORKING CONDITIONS

• Normal office and clean room laboratory environments
• Hybrid with 2 days in office

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

No special requirements

DIRECT REPORTS

5-7 direct reports

Hiring Range

$210,000-$285,000

The salary for this role will be set based on a variety of factors, including but not limited to, internal equity, experience, education, and training.

Featured Benefits

• Medical insurance
• Vision insurance
• 401(k)
• Dental insurance
• Disability insurance

We are an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, or national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.

If you are a qualified individual with a disability or a disabled veteran, you have the right to request an accommodation if you are unable or limited in your ability to use or access our career center as a result of your disability. To request an accommodation, contact a Giant Magellan Telescope Corporation Human Resources Representative.