Summit Mechanical Engineer II

W. M. Keck Observatory; Waimea/Kamuela (HI); On-site; USD 109,000 - 132,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

4 weeks paid vacation

403(b) employer contribution

Health insurance

Job summary

W. M. Keck Observatory seeks a Summit Mechanical Engineer II to support maintenance, upgrades, and integration of critical systems at the Maunakea Summit site. The role combines field work with multi-disciplinary collaboration on complex machinery.

The candidate should have 5 years of experience, a mechanical engineering degree, and strong knowledge of 3D CAD (SolidWorks), EC controls, GD&T, and fabrication. Competitive benefits and a dynamic astronomy-focused team await.

Qualifications

• Bachelor of Science in mechanical engineering or related degree.
• Five (5) years working on complex mechanical systems.
• Experience with large industrial equipment (motors, gearboxes, drives, pumps, chillers, vents).
• Experience maintaining, testing, troubleshooting mechanical systems.
• Experience building a machine that moves and requires power.
• Experience in design reviews and cross-functional engineering collaboration.
• Proficiency with 3D CAD software. SolidWorks preferred.
• Experience with EC control processes and engineering design reviews.
• Proficiency creating technical documentation and procedures.
• Experience with fabrication (cutting, milling, welding).
• Experience with environmental, vibration, or thermal testing; lifting equipment familiarity.

Responsibilities

• Support operation, maintenance, and upgrades of summit mechanical systems.
• Lead testing and repairs; coordinate multidisciplinary teams.
• Assist in engineering design integration and review technical docs.
• Review drawings, schematics, and procedures ensuring safety and reliability.
• Collaborate with engineers, technicians, and project managers on upgrades.

Skills

Troubleshooting

Field experience

Team collaboration

Project management

Engineering documentation

Education

Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering

Tools

SolidWorks

EC control processes

GD&T ASME Y14.5

SCADA

CMMS

Job description

Summit Mechanical Engineer II

Application Deadline: 3 October 2026

Department: Mechanical Engineering

Employment Type: Full Time

Location: Maunakea Summit

Reporting To: Mechanical Engineering Manager

Compensation: $108,914 - $132,395 / year

Description

Join Our Team as a Summit Mechanical Engineer II at W. M. Keck Observatory in Waimea, Hawaiʻi!

Are you a hands-on Mechanical Engineer who enjoys solving complex, real-world technical challenges? Do you have experience troubleshooting, maintaining, and improving mechanical systems-from precision mechanisms and opto-mechanical assemblies to large structures, hydraulics, pneumatics, and summit infrastructure? If so, W. M. Keck Observatory invites you to explore this exciting opportunity.

Why Choose W.M. Keck Observatory:

• Competitive starting salary ranging from $108,914 to $132,395
• Generous benefits package, including 4 weeks of annual paid vacation
• A robust 8% 403(b) employer contribution (with a 4% employee contribution)
• Comprehensive, fully-paid employee health insurance
• Join a dedicated team working on the frontiers of astronomy.

About W.M. Keck Observatory:

Located on Hawaii's Maunakea, W.M. Keck Observatory offers astronomers a unique perspective to explore the universe, all while respecting the deep cultural significance of this site to the indigenous Native Hawaiian community. Our twin telescopes are at the forefront of astronomical research and provide invaluable insights into the cosmos. At Keck, we are committed to service, stewardship, and community engagement. Join us, and become an integral part of our mission.

A Day in the Life of a Summit Mechanical Engineer II:

As a Summit Mechanical Engineer II, you’ll play a key role in supporting the operation, maintenance, and upgrade of critical mechanical systems at our summit facility on Maunakea. This position is ideal for an engineer who thrives in both the field and collaborative project environments - someone who can diagnose issues, lead testing and repairs, support engineering design and integration, and coordinate multidisciplinary teams to keep world-class observatory systems performing safely and reliably.

In this role, you’ll work closely with engineers, summit supervisors, technicians, project managers, and subcontractors to support mechanical system upgrades, maintenance efforts, installation planning, and repair activities. You’ll review and interpret technical documentation, construction drawings, schematics, procedures, and industry standards while helping ensure engineering solutions are safe, practical, and completed with accountability.

At Keck, your work directly supports the frontiers of astronomy while honoring the cultural significance of Maunakea and our commitment to stewardship, service, safety, and community engagement. If you're a motivated problem-solver with strong mechanical engineering fundamentals, hands-on troubleshooting skills, and a passion for supporting complex systems in a unique summit environment, we encourage you to apply.

Required Qualifications

Education

• Bachelor of Science in mechanical engineering or a related degree.

Experience

• Five (5) years working on complex mechanical systems.
• Varied and broad experience with large industrial equipment such as motors, multi-stage gearboxes, drives, pumps, chillers, ventilation systems, and similar.
• Experience maintaining, testing, and troubleshooting mechanical systems.
• Experience building a machine that moves and requires power.
• Experience participating in design reviews and collaborating with a cross functional engineering team.

Technical Competency

• Field experience working with legacy systems and equipment.
• Well-versed in mechanical engineering first principles.
• Experience using 3D CAD software. SolidWorks preferred.
• Experience in Engineering Change (EC) control processes and engineering design reviews.
• Proficient in creating technical engineering documentation including reports and procedures.
• Experience with fabrication. For instance, cutting, milling, welding.
• Experience performing engineering tests. This may include testing for environmental conditions, vibration, shock, thermal, or similar experience and comfort using personnel lifts, cranes, hoists, or other lifting equipment.

Preferred Qualifications

• Rigging experience and the ability to create and lead lifting plans for use by Operations team.
• Condition monitoring, vibration analysis or other instrumentation experience (strain gauges).
• Reliability engineering and asset management principles.
• Operational fault diagnostics using SCADA (supervisory control and data acquisition) systems.
• Use of CMMS (computerized maintenance management system).
• Experience with opto-mechanical systems including kinematic mounting and alignment of optical systems.
• Experience handling both medium and large optics (meter-class).
• Experience with hydraulic and pneumatic systems.
• Experience with cryogenics and cryogenic instrumentation.
• Experience with clean room environments.
• Systems Engineering experience managing requirements verification and interface control.
• Project Management experience generating schedules and budgets.
• Experience with Geometric Dimensioning and Tolerancing (GD&T) per ASME Y14.5.
• Experience creating part and assembly drawings according to ASME Y14.100.