Systems Engineer

NSF’s NOIRLab has immediate openings for two or more Systems Engineers to support ongoing instrumentation and development projects at Gemini Observatory. One of the positions will be a senior position leading the systems engineering team supporting our new Gemini North Adaptive Optics (GNAO) system while the second will support other Gemini instrumentation activities that may include new facility instrument projects, our work on a ground layer adaptive optics system for Gemini North, and various instrument upgrades.  

The positions can be located at any of Gemini’s primary locations of Hilo Hawai`i, La Serena Chile, and Tucson, Arizona, although we have a preference for Hawai`i for the GNAO position and one of the Gemini telescope sites (Hawai`i or Chile) sites for the other. 

We have a five stage career ladder/classification for our Systems Engineers and will recruit the successful candidate into the appropriate classification based on experience and demonstrated skills.  We specifically seek more experienced systems engineers for these roles.  We prefer candidates with experience in instrumentation projects for astronomy, particularly adaptive optics.

Activities and Functions of the Position:

Depending on the successful candidate’s skills and experiences, work functions will include a subset of the following:

• Support the Observatory’s instrumentation development program in a system engineering role throughout the project lifecycle.
• Lead and collaborate on Function-Based Systems Engineering (FBSE) needs identification, requirements definition and requirements analysis, and perform requirements management and verification.
• Provide thorough technical oversight of the projects assigned. Identify potential issues early in the project planning and design stages. Review and help ensure proper implementation during the build phase.
• Lead project configuration and knowledge management, including change control.
• Collaborate on project risk management and quality management.
• Collaborate on design and implementation activities including oversight to ensure adherence to systems engineering and project management best practices. 
• Collaborate on integration and test activities including oversight to ensure adherence to systems engineering and project management best practices. 
• Lead and collaborate on transition and project close out activities.
• Supervise and mentor junior personnel as needed.
• Ensure the safe conduct of operations and activities of self and subordinates. See that safety is built into projects and plans for the future.
• Training will be provided in these functions where needed.

Education/Experience/Skills Requirements: 

To be productive in this role, we expect the successful candidate will have a number of the following degrees, experiences, skills and abilities:

• BS degree in an engineering or science discipline with courses in pertinent fields such as systems engineering, aerospace engineering, industrial engineering, mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, physics, or astronomy.
• Demonstrated experience with industry standard systems engineering and/or project management tools.
• Demonstrated systems engineering and/or project management experience through the entire lifecycle of large, complex projects.
• Demonstrated experience working with geographically distributed teams. 
• Demonstrated experience working with both internal and externally contracted teams in a systems engineering and/or project management role.
• Experience in both development and operations environments.
• Experience in an Observatory environment.
• Must have a valid Driver’s License; clean driving record; ability to drive a 4-wheel drive vehicle.
• Systems engineering expertise across the system lifecycle.
• Cooperative and independent leadership and management of technical activities throughout the system lifecycle.
• Effective leadership and collaboration with people of diverse professions and backgrounds.
• Excellent written and verbal communications.
• Ability to easily grasp a wide range of engineering and science concepts and terminology pertaining to observatories.
• Ability to ethically and inclusively lead teams and perform work in a safe and welcoming environment.
• Ability to work independently, manage multiple assignments simultaneously and prioritize activities as needed.
• Ability to garner consensus, make decisions, and communicate to stakeholders.
• Must be able to travel internationally in performance of these duties.

Preferred Education/Experience/Skills/Abilities:

• Advanced degree in an Engineering or Science discipline with courses in pertinent fields such as systems engineering, aerospace engineering, industrial engineering, mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, physics, and astronomy.
• 5+ years as a Systems Engineer or performing systems engineering functions.
• Experience with Adaptive Optics instruments.
• Fluency in English required, and fluency in Spanish desirable.

Interested applicants, please submit a Cover Letter, CV, and provide names and contact information for three professional references. Incomplete applications will not be considered. PDF files preferred. 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]

Applications will be reviewed upon receipt. Full consideration guaranteed to all applications received by August 1, 2021. 

Position will remain open until filled.

Preference will be given to qualified internal applicants.

****NOIRLab/Gemini Observatory has the majority of staff working remotely during COVID-19 crisis. The safety of our staff and community is our top priority. We will continue to interview and screen candidates in this new virtual landscape. Offers of employment can be extended and new hires can on-board virtually and arrangements may be made for remote work in the following states: Arizona, California, Colorado, Florida, Hawaii, New Mexico, Maryland, Virginia, and Washington D.C.

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 does 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.