Senior Systems Engineer – ALMA Upgrades (International)

National Radio Astronomy Observatory; Charlottesville (VA); On-site; USD 114,000 - 138,000; Full time

Job summary

National Radio Astronomy Observatory is seeking an experienced Systems Engineer for the NA ALMA program. Based at NRAO HQ in Charlottesville, VA, you will lead systems engineering activities across the Wideband Sensitivity Upgrade, coordinating with international partners to advance millimeter-wave astronomy.

The role requires 10+ years in systems engineering within scientific environments, strong communication skills, and the ability to work across design to operations stages.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in engineering or related field required.
• At least 10 years as a systems engineer in integrated projects, preferably in scientific R&D.
• Experience with core systems engineering principles: requirements capture, verification/validation, lifecycle planning.
• Experience across life cycle phases from design to operations.
• Experience working with international teams.
• Domain exposure: electromagnetic, RF, DSP, mechanical, software, civil engineering.
• Excellent verbal and written communication.
• Proactive and independent work ethic.
• Team-oriented with cross-disciplinary engineers and scientists.

Responsibilities

• Oversee and participate in implementing systems engineering processes across multiple ALMA WSU projects.
• Review and communicate system architecture, requirements, subsystem designs, and technical docs.
• Develop integration, verification, validation plans, interface control documents, and related docs.
• Prepare and execute system reviews; assist in managing subsystem design reviews; participate in project controls.
• Guide systems engineering management processes: configuration management, baselining, change and document management; coordinate with international partners.
• Participate in system integration and testing activities.

Skills

Systems engineering

Requirements capture

Verification & validation

Lifecycle planning

Scheduling

International collaboration

Education

Bachelor's degree in engineering or related field

Job description

National Radio Astronomy Observatory is seeking an experienced Systems Engineer for the NA ALMA program. Based at NRAO HQ in Charlottesville, VA, you will lead systems engineering activities across the Wideband Sensitivity Upgrade, coordinating with international partners to advance millimeter-wave astronomy.

The role requires 10+ years in systems engineering within scientific environments, strong communication skills, and the ability to work across design to operations stages.