VLBA Specialist II-III

AUI; Tucson, Northern (AZ, KY); Hybrid; USD 45,000 - 61,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Paid time off

Medical/dental/vision benefits

Retirement plan (10% of base pay)

13 holidays, vacation accrual up to 24

Job summary

Associated Universities, Inc. (AUI) through NRAO seeks a VLBA Station Specialist to maintain the 25-meter antenna at the Kitt Peak site and its support infrastructure, enabling continuous astronomical data collection.

The role is hands-on and requires climbing, troubleshooting electronics and mechanical systems, coordinating with engineers, and ensuring safe, reliable operations on site.

Qualifications

• Two years of experience in electronics or electrical fields.
• Qualified candidates with 5+ years may be considered for Specialist II.
• Experience in technical support radio astronomy or telecommunications equipment is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Maintain the VLBA station including the 25-meter antenna and support infrastructure.
• Perform maintenance, testing, troubleshooting, repair and data delivery.
• Use test equipment and hand tools; document work and report findings.
• Be on‑call and may travel to other VLBA sites to support maintenance.
• Coordinate with NRAO technicians and engineers for corrective actions.

Skills

Independent work

Written and verbal communication

Driver's license

Education

Associate of Science in Electronics

Bachelor's degree in related field (optional)

Job description

Position Description:

The National Radio Astronomy Observatory (NRAO) is a prestigious research and development organization that plays a vital role in the study of the universe. Associated Universities, Inc. (AUI) is a nonprofit organization that manages and operates the NRAO under a cooperative agreement with the National Science Foundation. The Observatory is a hub for technological and scientific collaboration, operating state-of-the-art radio telescope facilities for use by the international scientific community. The Observatory has been instrumental in the study of black holes, galaxies, and the early universe.

The National Radio Astronomy Observatory (NRAO) announces an VLBA Station Specialist. The VLBA Station Specialist is a hands-on technical staff member skilled and experienced in multiple areas such as digital and analog electronics, mechanical hardware, HVAC systems, general site maintenance, and operations support. NRAO is seeking an employee willing to climb a large radio telescope antenna, troubleshoot and fix problems there or in the site building, and otherwise keep the site operational to enable astronomical data to be continuously received, processed, and delivered for scientific study. This is a rewarding opportunity, where the tenure of Specialists is typically measured in decades due to the interesting work and the Observatory’s great benefits and work-life balance.

In general, the Specialist, along with another Specialist, is responsible for installation, repairs, and maintenance at the Very Long Baseline Array Station located in Kitt Peak, AZ. The station includes the 25-meter antenna and support infrastructure and is part of a 10-antenna array, spread across the US, all capturing radio astronomical data delivered to a centrally located correlator. The Specialist will interact with other personnel at these sites and at the correlator site. The Specialist must respond to emergency repair situations as dictated by the impact on the station’s ability to perform intended functions. The employee typically works with the other Specialist, but is occasionally solo when schedule issues arise and is on‑call on alternating weekends.

What You Will be Doing:

The position performs maintenance, inspection, testing, troubleshooting, repair, data delivery and other work on the Very Long Baseline Array Station, including the 25-meter Antenna. The station includes Radio Frequency receiver and cryogenic systems, data and communications equipment, data recorders, recording media, servo control systems, mechanical drive equipment, and weather stations.

Routine duties include:

• Using standard electronic test equipment, recording effects on unit performance, inspection, and adjustment and/or replacement of defective system components.
• Performing scheduled maintenance, lubrication and mechanical and electronic inspections.
• Monitoring and maintenance of all systems for proper operation. This includes the emergency power generating equipment, fire alarms, and HVAC systems.
• Consultation with the other VLBA Specialist assigned to this site and with NRAO technicians and engineers located elsewhere in formulating and planning corrective actions.
• Other preventive and corrective maintenance on hardware, test equipment, and peripheral equipment, including inspection against specifications or for quality.
• Use of electronics test equipment such as digital multimeters, spectrum analyzers, oscilloscopes, signal generators, and power supplies. Use of hand tools for mechanical work or repair.
• Upkeep of the site and facilities.

Additional duties include:

• Writing technical reports and developing charts, graphs, and schematics to describe equipment’s operating characteristics, malfunctions, deviations from design specifications, and functional limitations. This includes documentation of work performed.
• Recommendation of changes required to achieve functional requirements of the units.
• Maintenance and servicing of facilities and equipment, including creation of records and reports.
• Proactive compliance with all NRAO policies and procedures is required.
• Other duties may be assigned. May be asked to travel to other VLBA sites to support maintenance.

Personnel management responsibilities include:

• Providing staff prioritization, performance evaluation, mentoring of employees, coaching, team building, and conflict resolution.
• Reviewing timesheets and periodic performance reviews, including interacting with the Human Resources and Business departments of the Observatory when necessary.
• With guidance, support and training from the Observatory Human Resource Department, timely addresses personnel matters, ensuring compliance with applicable policies such as conduct, recruitment, diversity and inclusion, employee development, performance management, and regulatory compliance.
• Interpreting, implementing, developing and/or recommending changes to rules, regulations, policies and procedures set forth by the Observatory.
• Complying with NRAO and government safety policies and procedures in group’s area of work.

Work Environment

The Specialist frequently works in high places, up to 100 feet, in outside weather conditions. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate. The employee works near moving mechanical parts and is exposed to electrical hazards. These and other situations mean the employee is often responsible to perform lockout/tag out to create a safe work environment.

Who You Are:

Education

• Associate of Science degree or equivalent in Electronics. While not required, you may have a Bachelor’s Degree in a related field.

Experience

• You have two years of experience in the Electronics or Electrical fields. Qualified candidates with 5 or more years of experience may be considered for the Specialist II classification.
• While not required, you may have five or more years of experience in the Electronics training or Electrical fields, with experience in technical support radio astronomy or telecommunications equipment and installations.

Skills and Competencies

Candidates must have the ability to work independently and reliably with minimal direct supervision. They must be able to communicate effectively both verbally and in writing and operate a personal computer and common software. They must be able to solve technical problems and deal with a variety of situations where only limited documentation and standardization may exist. Candidates must have and maintain a current Driver's License and they may be required to drive Observatory vehicles.

Additional Requirement

Observatory employees must be authorized to work in the United States. The Observatory presently cannot sponsor H-1B Visas for this position.

Safety Sensitive

The selected candidate must successfully pass a post-offer, pre-employment/pre-placement drug screen. Failure to pass the Screen will disqualify the candidate from employment consideration for a period of six months from the date of the results.

Total Rewards:

Compensation

The starting salary/hourly rate of this position is between $33.00-$44.00 per hour. Factors which may affect starting pay within this range may include; education, experience, skills, competencies, other qualifications of the successful candidate, as well as internal equity and labor market conditions.

Benefits:

Associated Universities, Inc (AUI) offers a comprehensive benefits package addressing the needs of employees and their families with most benefits beginning on the first day of employment, subject to eligibility requirements. AUI provides:

• Excellent paid time off (13 holidays, annual accrual of up to 24 vacation days)
• Medical, dental and vision plans are effective on the first day of employment.
• AUI’s retirement benefit contributes an amount equal to 10 percent of a qualified participant’s base pay with no required employee contribution.
• Click Total Rewards for more information.

Equal Opportunity Employer Statement:

AUI is an equal opportunity employer. To view our complete statement, please visit https://public.nrao.edu/careers/. If you require reasonable accommodation for any part of the application or hiring process, you may submit your request by sending an email to [e-mail]. PM20