Scientific Instrumentation Engineer

Giant Magellan; Pasadena, Northern (CA, KY); Hybrid; USD 145,000 - 175,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance

Vision insurance

Disability insurance

401(k)

Job summary

The Instrumentation Engineer at Giant Magellan Telescope Corporation will play a key role in developing GMT instruments through design, construction, and commissioning phases.

The role serves as the primary technical contact between instrument development groups and the Project Office, guiding technical solutions and interfacing with GMT Systems Engineering to establish acceptance and commissioning procedures.

Qualifications

• MS degree in Engineering or related field.
• 7+ years of post-degree hands-on experience in astronomical instrumentation on ground-based optical/IR telescopes.
• Broad technical competency in astronomical instrumentation.
• Ability to communicate with diverse scientists, engineers, and managers.
• Excellent organizational, leadership, and project management skills.
• Experience creating RFPs, SOWs, technical specs, and vendor evaluation procedures.
• Experience developing cost and schedule estimates.
• Strong understanding of systems engineering.

Responsibilities

• Guide the instrument program with Science Instruments Manager.
• Serve as the technical contact between instrument groups and the Project.
• Assist with contract documents (RFPs, SOWs, specs) for instrument development.
• Monitor progress of instrument teams through reviews.
• Oversee instrument assembly, integration, and testing at sites.
• Deliver presentations at technical reviews and conferences.
• Evaluate cost and schedule estimates for feasibility.
• Support integration, test, and commissioning plans.

Skills

Instrumentation

Engineering

Project management

Systems engineering

Communication

Leadership

Education

M.S. degree in Engineering

Doctorate in Engineering (optional)

Job description

The Giant Magellan Telescope is one of the most powerful ground-based telescopes ever engineered. It is designed to push the boundaries of human knowledge and explore the unknown. Now under construction at Las Campanas Observatory in Chile’s Atacama Desert, one of the premier locations on Earth for astronomy, the telescope will deliver the highest-performing combination of image quality, field of view, and light sensitivity ever achieved. From this southern hemisphere location, the Giant Magellan Telescope will use seven of the world’s largest mirrors to uncover the mysteries of dark matter and dark energy, investigate the origins of chemical elements, and search for signs of life on distant exoplanets.

When complete in the 2030s, the Giant Magellan Telescope will be one of the largest public-private funded science projects in history. It is the work of the GMTO Corporation, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit and international research consortium, founded by 16 universities and research institutions from the United States, Chile, Australia, Brazil, Israel, South Korea, and Taiwan.

Our culture is impactful, inclusive, and fearlessly innovative. We tackle the most complex engineering challenges and scientific questions alongside talented individuals who share a passion for advancing humanity’s understanding of the Universe.

The Universe Awaits®

Team

Science Instruments

Science Instruments Element Manager

JOB SUMMARY

The Instrumentation Engineer will play a key role in the development of the first generation of GMT instruments during their design, construction, and commissioning phases. The successful candidate will be a primary technical point of contact between the instrument development groups and the Project Office.

In addition, the Instrumentation Engineer will provide technical guidance to the instrument teams regarding GMT designs and interfaces, monitor contracted work, manage progress reviews, help to standardize engineering solutions between the instruments, and work with the GMT Systems Engineering team to establish acceptance and commissioning procedures.

The Instrumentation Engineer will also be responsible for writing reports and proposals related to instrument development and making presentations to the GMT Science Advisory Committee, at conferences, and at project reviews.

This position will require travel to various GMTO member locations vendor premises, and the GMT site in Chile.

JOB DUTIES

• Work with the Science Instruments Manager in guiding the instrument program for GMT.
• Be the technical point of contact between the instrument groups and the Project.
• Assist the Instrument Manager in working with the GMTO Contracts/Procurement department to prepare contract documents such as Requests for Proposals, statements of work, technical specifications, and other documents related to the instrument development.
• Monitor the technical progress of instrument teams during all phases of an instrument’s development via regular progress meetings and reviews.
• Monitor instrument assembly, integration, and test activities (at the partner institution site and at the telescope).
• Prepare and deliver presentations at technical reviews and conferences.
• Evaluating cost and schedule estimates for technical feasibility.
• Assist instrument teams in assessing instrument performance on the telescope, maintenance strategies, and operational strategies.
• Assist the instrument and GMT teams in specifying and developing interfaces.
• Support the preparation of integration, test, and commissioning plans in consultation with the instrumentation teams and other systems within the GMT.

ESSENTIAL SKILLS, KNOWLEDGE AND ABILITIES

• M.S. degree in Engineering or related field.
• Minimum of 7 years of post-degree, hands-on experience with the development of astronomical instrumentation on ground-based optical/infrared telescopes.
• Broad technical competency/knowledge in the development of astronomical instrumentation.
• Ability to communicate effectively with diverse groups of scientists, engineers, and managers.
• Excellent organizational, leadership, and project management skills
• Excellent written and oral communication skills.
• Experience creating requests for proposal, statements of work, technical specifications, and evaluation procedures for vendors.
• Experience developing costs and schedule estimates.
• Thorough understanding of the principles of systems engineering.
• Experience creating integration, testing, and commissioning plans,
• Experience developing technical, operational, maintenance, and performance requirements for instruments flowing from higher-level requirements.

DESIRED SKILLS, KNOWLEDGE AND ABILITIES

• D. in Engineering or related field with 7 years post-degree, hands-on experience with the development of astronomical instrumentation on ground-based optical/infrared telescopes.

WORKING CONDITIONS

• Normal office environment. Open space office layout.
• Flexibility to work outside of core business hours and travel to GMTO Founder institutions, vendor facilities, and the GMT site in Chile when necessary to accomplish goals.
• This role is ideally expected to work onsite in Pasadena at least two days per week.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

• Ability to work at an altitude of 8000 feet for extended periods of time.

DIRECT REPORTS

None

FEATURED BENEFITS

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

HIRING RANGE

$145,000- $175,000

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.

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.