Job Summary
Reporting to the Telescope Optics Group Leader, the Secondary Mirror System (M2) Engineer will be responsible for control of the design and production of the articulated 3.2m convex aspheric M2 System for the TMT, culminating in the delivery of the M2 System to the observatory site, the integration into the telescope, and commissioning.
The M2 System will be fabricated by TMT industrial partners selected through competitive bidding. As such, the M2 engineer must have excellent technical, project management, and communication skills, as well as the ability to work in TMT’s multi-cultural environment.
Job Duties
The M2 Engineer will have broad responsibilities, including:
- Lead responsibility for the design, manufacture, and delivery of the M2 System, including the mechanics, polishing, metrology, support tooling, shipping and handling.
- Finalizing M2 System requirements and interfaces.
- Leading development of the procurement plans, the bidding process and contract negotiations.
- Working with suppliers on production programs, including polishing, metrology, precision machining, integration onto the support system, and all related quality assurance activities.
- Understanding and ownership of the system engineering aspects of the M2 System, including performance budgets and interfaces
- Leading the planning and execution of the on-site M2 System assembly, integration and verification.
- Management of development and production contracts using earned value to measure progress.
The M2 Engineer will be fully cognizant of all aspects of the design and manufacturing of the telescope optics, including performing the following activities on a regular basis:
- Direct engineers and designers in working to deliver the system
- Monitor, coordinate and direct activities by international partner institutions & suppliers
- Utilize SolidWorks to guide and monitor design efforts
- Review FEA results and direct analysts work
- Direct and perform Mechanical and Optical analysis and testing
- Prepare Statements of Work (SOWs) and Requests For Proposals (RFPs)
- Ensure compliance with TMT quality assurance and safety requirements
- Prepare technical reports and deliver technical presentations
- Maintain key deliverables such as Drawings, Requirements Documents, Interface Documents and Error Budgets
Minimum Requirements
- A degree in optics, mechanical engineering, engineering mechanics or equivalent; advanced degree preferred
- 10 years of experience, with proven capability in Project Engineering, or Project Management, or subcontract management
- Experience with large optical telescopes is a positive factor
- The project office is located in Los Angeles and residence in the area is required.
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
The M2 Engineer must have strong personal skills, including all of the following:
- Excellent organization skills
- Proven leadership ability
- Good interpersonal skills
- Strong communication skills
- Ability to write clear and concise technical documents
- A cooperative team-player who strives to make the team successful
- Ability to multi-task a substantial number of parallel activities
- Practical problem solving skills
The M2 Engineer must have strong technical skills in many of the following areas:
- Mechanical design and understanding of kinematic principles
- Understanding of manufacturing and assembly techniques
- Analytical approach to problem solving
- Understanding of geometric optics
- Knowledge of structural mechanics and engineering materials
- Experienced using Geometrical Dimensioning & Tolerancing per ASME Y14.5
- Knowledge of large-optics fabrication and testing methods
The M2 Engineer must have strong project management skills in many of the following areas:
- Developing and managing to a schedule
- Developing and managing to a budget
- Knowledge of earned-value reporting
- Supply-chain management
- Product Assurance and Quality Assurance knowledge
- Experience with FMEA
- Experienced in technical contract management
TMT is an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, or national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.
