Senior Adaptive Optics Engineer

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.

We invite you to join our team and leave your mark on the future of astronomy and beyond.

The Universe Awaits®

Wavefront Sensing and Control

Wavefront Sensing and Control Manager

The Senior Adaptive Optics (AO) Engineer will assume a leadership role in bringing the AO subsystems design to full maturity and planning their final integration, test and delivery. The current phase of GMTO’s AO development is opportunity-rich for creative solutions and significant contributions to the design of a cutting edge ELT on the frontiers of astronomy.

The responsibility includes technical oversight of the final design of some of the WFSC hardware subsystems under development both internally and by partner institutions and industrial vendors such as SAO, INAF, Tellus1 Scientific and the Australian National University. The Senior Adaptive Optics Engineer will be responsible for oversight of all aspects of project execution including subsystem technical progress, allocation of resources, cost and schedule throughout the full duration of the final design phase including leadership of the subsystem final design review.  The final design will include review and update of subsystem requirements as well as the plans for assembly, integration, test (AIT) and performance verification of these subsystems in the Adaptive Optics labs in Italy and on the observatory site. The Senior AO Engineer will assume a lead role in the assembly, integration, testing, and verification of the GMTO WFSC subsystems in both Italy and at GMTO Las Campanas Observatory.

The Senior AO Engineer will work within the Wavefront Sensing and Control group reporting directly to the Wavefront Sensing and Control Manager and will assist in supervision of the team members responsible for technical work.

The Senior Adaptive Optics Engineer will:

• Lead in the concept and design of real time AO and phasing control systems
• Lead in the final design of real time AO and phasing control subsystem hardware
• Collaborate closely with the Wavefront Sensing and Control Manager to ensure technical goals align with system-level requirements.
• Work with the Senior Project Coordinator in the WFSC group to plan, manage and track tasks, resources, and deliverables related to AO subsystem development.
• Interface with external vendors and internal teams to support procurement, integration, and review processes.
• Collaborate with other organizational elements across the GMT project to mature interfaces and to identify and manage interdependencies between subsystems.
• Review and understand test results of optical/electronic/mechanical prototypes designed to validate designs and/or burn down performance risks.
• Own responsibility for preparation of technical reports to document the GMTO AO subsystem requirements, design and performance.
• Supervise as well as prepare and deliver presentations at GMTO technical gate reviews and conferences
• 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

• M.S. degree in optical science, astronomy, physics, or a related field
• Demonstrated ability to work in a cross functional global collaborative team environment
• Experience in the following areas:
  • Delivery of Adaptive Optics systems on sky
  • Optical Systems Engineering
  • Hands-on experience developing adaptive optics systems and/or hardware-in-the-loop (HIL) optical testbeds
  • Resource management
• Strength in AO theory, modeling techniques, components, and testing methods
• Superb written and oral communication skills
• Outstanding communication skills, reporting status to project management
• Willingness to travel to foreign and domestic vendor and observatory locations as the need arises

• Ph.D. degree in optical science, astronomy, physics, or a related field
• Real time controls experience
• Systems Engineering experience
• Competency using high-level programming languages such as Matlab, IDL, or Python
• Hands-on experience developing and testing astronomical adaptive optics systems or laboratory optical testbeds
• Versed in use of Zemax, Code V, or similar optical design and analysis tools

Normal office and laboratory environments

No direct reports at start; it is expected that the responsibility level will increase with time.

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

$185,000- $235,000

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.

To apply send your resume or CV and a cover letter to careers@gmto.org.

If your skills and experience are a match for the position or if we need additional information, we will contact you. If we do not see a suitable match between your qualifications and the position, we will keep your information on file in the event future positions become available that are more suitable to your qualifications.

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.