Senior Opto-Mechanical Engineer

The Giant Magellan Telescope is the most powerful ground-based telescope ever engineered. It was designed to push the boundaries of human knowledge and discover the unknown. With unmatched image quality, seven of the world’s largest mirrors will launch our view into the universe to uncover the cosmic mysteries of dark matter, investigate the origins of chemical elements, and search for signs of life on distant exoplanets for the first time.

The 30-meter class telescope is under construction at Las Campanas Observatory in Chile’s Atacama Desert, one of the best locations on Earth to view the heavens. From this unrivaled vantage into the southern sky, the Giant Magellan Telescope will produce the sharpest and most detailed images ever taken of our universe.

When complete in the early 2030s, the Giant Magellan Telescope will be the largest public-private funded science project in history. The endeavor was founded by an international consortium of 15 research institutions representing Australia, Brazil, Chile, Israel, South Korea, Taiwan, and the United States, and is managed by the GMTO Corporation, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization based in Pasadena, California. Our culture is impactful, inclusive, and fearlessly innovative. We solve the most difficult engineering challenges and scientific questions with talented individuals who share a passion for revolutionizing humanity’s knowledge of the universe.

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

The Universe Awaits™

Optics and Optical Metrology

Optics and Optical Metrology Manager

The GMT project office is seeking highly qualified Senior Opto-Mechanical Engineer to perform a key role as the Chief Engineer in the Optics and Optical Metrology (OOM) Element.  OOM Element is responsible for technical coordination of the telescope optical subsystems, including: Primary Mirrors (M1) , Secondary Mirrors (ASM and FSM), Tertiary Mirror (M3), Coating and Stripping System (CSS), and the Corrector and Atmospheric Dispersion Compensator (C-ADC).  Working under minimal supervision and reporting to the OOM Element manager, this position will play a key role in the development, manufacture and test of all the OOM subsystems by performing, coordinating and supervising the technical tasks to be executed by the OOM and contractor engineers.

This position will require the successful candidate to be fully cognizant of all aspects of the design, manufacturing and testing of telescope optics and optical support systems and apply this knowledge to the coordination of the design, fabrication and test of the OOM subsystems.  The OOM Chief Engineer may also function in the role of a Cost Account Manager/Contract Technical Manager for optical subsystems as well as providing overall engineering coordination across the OOM subsystems.  Functioning as the Chief Engineer, the Senior Opto-Mechanical Engineer will write programmatic and technical reports and make presentations in their area of responsibility at project meetings, reviews, and conferences. This position will require travel to various GMTO member locations and vendor premises, and eventually the GMT site in Chile.

• Provide technical leadership, engineering, programmatic planning and drive technical execution of design, fabrication, assembly, and test, of OOM subsystems
• Coordinate requirements and negotiate shared performance budgets and interfaces with neighboring subsystems
• Provide Cost Account Management/Contract Technical Management of OOM subsystems
• Support OOM CAMS by monitoring, coordinating and directing engineering activities of internal engineers and external partner institutions & suppliers
• Direct and support mechanical, optical testing and analysis of OOM subsystems
• Support CAMs in preparing and reviewing requirements documents, ICDs and other technical documents and dispositioning technical issues in support OOM subbcontracts
• Ensure compliance across OOM subsystems to GMT quality assurance and safety requirements
• Write technical reports and prepare and deliver technical presentations
• Develop and manage design requirements, Interface Control Documents, detailed drawings, and specifications for OOM subsystems
• Manage the storage of the technical documentation produced by OOM
• Provide project planning information and update the OOM schedule
• Participate in the Element budget preparation, analyze and manage OOM spending

• A minimum of an BS degree in Mechanical Engineering, engineering mechanics or equivalent technical discipline with 10 years of experience with the design, fabrication and test of large opto-mechanical systems
• Familiarity with geometric optical design
• Experienced and high-level user of SolidWorks to perform, guide and monitor design processes
• Experience using Geometrical Dimensioning & Tolerancing per ASME Y14.
• Experience with opto-mechanical design and understanding of kinematic principles
• Knowledge of structural mechanics and engineering materials
• Knowledge of fabrication, assembly and testing methods for optical subsystems
• Analytical approach to problem solving
• Experience in project engineering and project management
• Ability to multi-task on a substantial number of parallel activities
• Excellent organization, leadership, interpersonal and communication skills
• Ability to write clear and concise technical documents and performance budgets
• A cooperative team-player who strives to make the team successful
• Developing and managing to schedules, budgets, and earned-value reporting
• Experienced in management of subcontracts greater than $5M
• Flexibility to work outside of core business hours and travel to GMTO member locations, vendor premises and the GMT site in Chile when necessary.

• A minimum of an MS degree (PhD preferred) in Mechanical engineering, engineering mechanics or equivalent technical discipline, with at least 10 years of experience with the design and construction of large opto-mechanical systems
• Hands-on expertise with optical/IR instruments and/or telescope optical systems
• Substantial experience building and analyzing finite element models for optical elements and opto-mechanical assemblies, and performing static, dynamic, and thermal analyses
• Thorough understanding of optical and mechanical manufacturing and assembly techniques
• Experience in Systems Engineering processes for requirements development/flow down, optical and mechanical budgets, and requirements configuration management using DOORS software
• Experienced in management of high cost contracts, greater than $10M
• Experienced in product and quality assurance requirements for optical subsystems
• Detailed knowledge and awareness of the current state of the art for production of large optical elements and systems for astronomy
• Strong analytical ability with demonstrated written and oral communication skills in English
• Demonstrated leadership and management skills in large projects and/or international project collaborations with commercial suppliers, universities and science institutions.

• Normal office environment when working at the Pasadena office.
• Work may also be required at telescope locations such as Mount Graham in Arizona (Large Binocular Telescope) and at the GMTO site on Las Campanas in Chile.  The work at the telescopes will include working at approximately 10,500 and 8,200 feet elevation for LBT and GMT respectively.

Ability to work in telescope operational environments.  Working at altitude and in mountain type environmental conditions.  Walking, climbing stairs, standing, bending and other physical movements around the Observatory and associated labs.

No direct reports

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

$180,000- $220,000

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.