Electrical Engineer/EE Group Manager

The Association of Universities for Research in Astronomy (AURA), is a consortium of over 40 US institutions and four international affiliates that operates world-class astronomical observatories. AURA’s role is to establish, nurture, and promote public observatories and facilities that advance innovative astronomical research. AURA is responsible for managing the operations of the NSF’s National Optical-Infrared Astronomy Research Laboratory, the National Solar Observatory, and the construction of the Large Synoptic Survey Telescope and the Daniel K. Inouye Solar Telescope under cooperative agreements with the National Science Foundation and operations of the Space Telescope Science Institute under contracts with NASA.

The National Solar Observatory (NSO) Daniel K. Inouye Solar Telescope (DKIST) project is seeking an Electrical and Electronics Group Lead (Electrical Engineer) to provide planning, leadership, coordination, and oversight of the Electrical and Electronics (EE) Group including engineering and technician staff. In addition, responsibility extends to cover the electrical and electronic aspects of all system and sub-systems in the observatory and power distribution throughout the Observatory. The tasks and responsibilities will be accomplished in close collaboration with the Technical Operations Manager as well as Mechanical, Optical, Software, and IT group leads.

This position is based on Maui, Hawaii and includes work at the DKIST site on the Haleakala summit.

It is anticipated that the initial work will be focused on finishing the construction and IT&C for the DKIST project, once the telescope is operational (expected summer of 2020), the work will transition to an operations support role.  While the essential functions are expected to be similar in the operations role, some adjustments may be made.

Essential Functions:

• Line manages EE technical staff with responsibility for proper selection, utilization, training, performance management of subordinates and recommendation of salary and title changes when appropriate.
• Work in close collaboration with Observatory Managers and Lead Engineers to plan and co-ordinate planned, unplanned maintenance and upgrades of observatory electrical components, hardware, and utilities.
• Provide the Technical Operations Manager and other site management support in reconciling and coordinating the EE Staff.
• Guide and direct employees and subcontractors in assigned activities to ensure all appropriate functional, performance and quality objectives are achieved.
• Provide leadership on Electrical and Electronics engineering and performance analyses of integrated systems and be responsible for all aspects of the DKIST electrical and electronics systems operation, optimization and availability.
• Plan, recommend improvements and execute engineering activities on varied new and existing technical problems. Diagnose causes and develop solutions for any electrical/electronic malfunction, ensuring the repair meets requirements.
• Maintain a working knowledge of the requirements, design, operations, and maintenance of all major DKIST systems.
• Comply with all applicable electrical and safety standards and corrects and/or reports unsafe conditions or practices.
• Participate in upgrade Design and Acceptance Reviews with responsibility for electronics implementation, ensuring they meet performance requirements and are fit-for-purpose.
• Review and participate in Operations planning activities, including development of budgets and schedules.
• Perform other tasks as directed by the Technical Operations Manager.
• All AURA employees are responsible for the proper management and control of all AURA property within their work area, whether assigned to them or someone else. This responsibility includes reporting any known missing, stolen, or non-working property in their work area to their supervisor or the AURA Property Officer.
• Responsible for ensuring compliance with government award terms and conditions assigned to this position or subordinates of this position as defined in the Vela Award Management system
• Perform other tasks as directed by Management.

Required Education/Experience/Skills/Abilities:

• Bachelor's degree in electronics, electrical engineering, or relevant field.
• 15 years of experience in Electrical / Electronic Engineering with progressively increasing responsibility and complexity in engineering and development of technical apparatus.
• 5 years of experience in engineering management, including use of MS Project, Office suite, and metrics such as earned value.
• Staff management and development experience including supervision and mentoring of electronics/electrical engineers and technician level employees.
• Experience in operations, maintenance, integration and commissioning of complex electrical, electronic and instrumentation systems.
• Ability to resolve technical problems by application of general engineering, scientific, or mathematical techniques.
• Knowledge and experience with electromechanical systems.
• Familiarity with codes and standards applicable to Electrical and Electronics Engineering and Safety including but not limited to NFPA 70E Electrical Safety, National Electrical Code, NFPA 79 Electrical Standard for Industrial Machinery, and/or UL508 Standard for Industrial Control Panels.
• Experience in development of operations and maintenance documentation.
• Ability to speak and write effectively, including preparation of comprehensive technical reports.
• Sensitive to and respectful of cultural and environmental issues.
• Willingness and availability to work varying shifts and call schedules, which will include occasional early mornings, nights, and/or weekends

Preferred Experience/Skills/Abilities:

• Experience in astronomical observatories or research facilities.
• Knowledge and experience with scientific instruments.
• Knowledge and experience with servo motor, mechanical and thermal systems.
• Experience with cryogenic and high vacuum systems.

Physical Demands:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel and talk or hear.
• The employee is occasionally required to stand; walk; reach with hands and arms and stoop; kneel; crouch; or crawl.
• The employee must regularly lift and /or move up to 10 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds.
• Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, depth perception, ability to differentiate colors, and ability to adjust focus.
• Must possess - sufficient mobility, strength, or dexterity in both arms and hands and both legs to a) reach upward, sideways, downward to work with paper files; b) sufficient mobility and dexterity to utilize computer systems, fax machines, copiers, and other office machines.
• Must possess – 1) ability to read and understand instructions, drawings, safety guides, and other written materials necessary to perform job; 2) sufficient visual capacity to perform the applicable functions without assistance of visual aids other than eye contacts or eye glasses; 3) sufficient spoken aural capacity to hear and understand instructions, warning bells, fire alarms, or shouted instructions without assistance of auditory aids other than a hearing aid; and 4) ability to impart information orally so that others understand and can respond appropriately
• There will be occasional working at height utilizing PPE
• Some travel may be necessary in or outside the contiguous United States.
• The position will be based at the Haleakala (DKIST) facility and ability to work at 10,000’ elevation, sometimes during inclement weather, is required.

The level of this position is expected to be either Senior or Principal engineer and will be determined based on the selected candidate's qualifications.

Please list 3 professional references in your application and attach a CV or resume (PDF files preferred) to your application. Please name any attachments with the following format:  LastnameDocname. Application documents that are not uploaded as part of the application may be sent to [email protected]

AURA, as a leader in the astronomical community, is committed to diversity and inclusion. AURA develops and supports programs that advance our organizational commitment to diversity, broaden participation, and encourage the advancement of diversity throughout the astronomical scientific workforce. Learn more at http://www.aura-astronomy.org/diversity

As a recipient of U.S. Government funding, AURA is considered a government contractor and is subject to Equal Employment Opportunity and Affirmative Action regulations. As an Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action Employer, AURA and all of the centers, do not discriminate based on race, sex, color, age, religion, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity/gender identity expression, lawful political affiliations, veteran status, disability, and/or any other legally protected status under applicable federal, state, and local equal opportunity laws. 

Veterans, disabled individuals or wounded warriors needing assistance with the employment process should request assistance at [email protected]