Optics Engineer

Are you ready to join a dynamic and dedicated team that develops and optimizes Adaptive Optics systems for astronomical science?

The W. M. Keck Observatory (WMKO) operates two 10-meter optical/infrared telescopes and an associated suite of advanced instrumentation, including laser guide star adaptive optics facilities. These telescopes have been extremely productive scientifically and have allowed the WMKO science community to play a leading role in understanding the universe from our solar system, to exoplanets, black holes, the earliest galaxies, and dark matter and energy.

This position leads engineering efforts in optimization, development, integration and operations of the Keck I and Keck II telescope optics. The optics engineer is responsible for the overall delivered image quality to the science instruments. Current development activities include upgrades and improvements to the telescope phasing, the primary mirror active control system and telescope focus maintenance.

Principal activities include:

• Play the lead role in optimizing the optical performance of the Keck telescopes to:
• Understand and reduce the telescopes’ overall wavefront error budget.
• Support the overall optical optimization and efficiency of the science instruments with the telescope.
• Perform data acquisition, data evaluation, and database management for the purpose of monitoring and optimizing the telescope optics and instrument performance.
• Play a lead role in the maintenance of the health of the telescope optics through monitoring, developing safe handling procedures and providing optical expertise in all activities related to the repair of the telescope optics.
• Perform a role in the commissioning of new science instruments or capabilities and in upgrading existing science instruments and facilities to assure maximum optical performance.

Required Qualifications include:

• Masters of Science level degree in optics, physics, or engineering, or equivalent experience.
• Five (5) years' experience in optical engineering with practical experience in the alignment, testing, and optimization of telescope and/or instrument optics.

Application

Apply to join a skilled and deeply committed team of professionals who enable exciting and important astronomical discoveries. Go to: https://keckobservatory.applicantpro.com/jobs/

About Us

Read about us, our science and our mission and submit a cover letter and resume telling us how your background and passion relate to this position. WMKO is a private 501(c) 3 non-profit organization and in a scientific partnership of the California Institute of Technology, the University of California and NASA.

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