Electrical Engineer

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 Nation 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 & Electronics Engineer (EE) to provide high-level electronic systems expertise and support for key aspects of the facility during the DKIST construction, integration, testing and commissioning (IT&C), handover to operations.   The EE will also participate in maintenance, upgrade and operation of major systems of the DKIST and direct required staff as assigned. This position solves associated complex engineering, development and coordination problems. The EE will manage assigned electronic work packages through scheduling and budget.

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:

• Develop a thorough working knowledge of the specifications, requirements and design of all major DKIST systems.
• Develop and maintain thorough working knowledge of varied control, servo and Programmable Logic Controller (PLC) systems. Develop and execute associated improvements.
• Undertake extensive engineering analysis of major DKIST subsystems ensuring performance requirements are met and fit-for-purpose.
• Anticipates and creates opportunities for technical improvements in Observatory operations or equipment,
• Solve engineering problems and execute engineering activities on varied new and existing hardware.
• Diagnose causes and develop solutions for electrical/electronic malfunctions, ensuring the repair meets requirements.
• Guide and direct employees and subcontractors in integration of equipment into the facility within area of expertise; take project-based lead engineering roles that involve oversight of significant design, fabrication, commissioning, maintenance, and upgrade activities.
• Determine and specify improvements in equipment, tools, materials, methods and software that advance the technical capabilities of the Observatory.
• Provide electrical and electronic engineering support for operations staff including troubleshooting operational issues, electronic system analysis, system design for obsolescence and optimization.
• Participate in design and reviews for DKIST subsystem and instrument upgrades.
• Comply with approved schedules and insure both technical and budgetary requirements of assigned work are met.
• Comply with all applicable electrical and safety standards and corrects and/or reports unsafe conditions or practices.
• Determine the proper equipment, tools, materials, assemblies and methods to be used for assigned activities.
• 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:

• Bachelors, preferably Masters, degree in Electronics or Electrical Engineering or equivalent.
• At least ten-to-fifteen years of progressively responsible experience in Electronics and Electrical Engineering.
• Familiarity with codes and standards applicable to Controls/Electrical/Electronic Engineering
• Working knowledge and programming experience with PLC based systems.
• Working knowledge of control/servo systems including operation and maintenance.
• Design of analogue and digital circuitry and PCB design and layout.
• Experience with 208 and 480 VAC three phase power and power distribution.
• Ability to resolve technical problems by application of general engineering, scientific, or mathematical techniques.
• Ability to independently identify and resolve technical problems by application of a high-level of engineering, scientific, or mathematical techniques.
• Experienced in the use and operation of standard electrical and electronics test equipment.
• Staff management and development experience including supervision and mentoring of electronics/electrical engineers and technician level employees.
• Ability to communicate and cooperate with others both inside and outside of the DKIST project.
• Ability to speak and write effectively, including preparation of comprehensive technical reports.
• Thorough working knowledge of MS Office applications.

Preferred Experience/Skills/Abilities:

• Experience with one or more of the following PLC systems: Allen Bradley and safety controller systems, Beckhoff, B&R.
• Experience with Siemens (SINAMICS) drives.
• Knowledge and experience in control design and complex analog and digital control systems, including servo optimization and tuning.
• Experience with MATLAB/Simulink modeling of complex control systems.
• Knowledge of and experience with Delta Tau motion control hardware.
• Experience in use of CAD package software (EPLAN, AutoCAD Electrical, Altium Designer)
• Experience in the planning and execution of maintenance for complex electrical/electronic/instrument/cryogenic systems.
• Experience in development of operations and maintenance documentation.
• Proven project management experience including working knowledge of MS Project or other scheduling tools.
• Experience of work in a research and development or astronomical facility and of working with observing instruments.
• Experience with CCD and/or CMOS optical detectors and controllers.
• Experience with infrared detectors and controllers

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]