Mechanical Engineer (Opto-Design), (IS-0830-13)

Smithsonian Institution•Cambridge, MA

40d•Onsite

About The Position

This is the position of Opto-Mechanical Design Engineer, Central Engineering Department (CE), Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory (SAO). The purpose of the position is to support the Observatory’s scientific investigations by providing mechanical, structural, and potentially project engineering expertise to the development of advanced ground-based instrumentation for astronomical/astrophysical data collection and related telescope systems.

Requirements

A) Degree: professional engineering. To be acceptable, the curriculum must: (1) be in a school of engineering with at least one curriculum accredited by the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET) as a professional engineering curriculum; or (2) include differential and integral calculus and courses (more advanced than first-year physics and chemistry) in five of the following seven areas of engineering science or physics: (a) statics, dynamics; (b) strength of materials (stress-strain relationships); (c) fluid mechanics, hydraulics; (d) thermodynamics; (e) electrical fields and circuits; (f) nature and properties of materials (relating particle and aggregate structure to properties); and (g) any other comparable area of fundamental engineering science or physics, such as optics, heat transfer, soil mechanics, or electronics.
OR
B) Combination of education and experience--college-level education, training, and/or technical experience that furnished (1) a thorough knowledge of the physical and mathematical sciences underlying professional engineering, and (2) a good understanding, both theoretical and practical, of the engineering sciences and techniques and their applications to one of the branches of engineering.
Additional Requirements: Candidates must possess at least one year of specialized experience at or above the grade 12 level in similar positions.
Advanced knowledge of the principles and practices of the mechanical engineering of optical instrumentation--as evidenced by professional experience in the design and fabrication of optics and related instrumentation--so as to enable the incumbent to translate scientific requirements into functional hardware and to provide expert technical advice on complex instrument. Development to CFA scientists, engineers, and the scientific and/or technical staff of contracting and cooperating organizations. This will include. strong analytical skills and knowledge of related engineering fields such as structural engineering, and the use. of advanced materials.
Demonstrable technical leadership skills, including the ability to assist in defining the technical scope of engineering. projects accurately; generate realistic project technical goals, budgets, and schedules; and organize the work of others.
Advanced knowledge of the design and functionality of complex precision mechanisms, motion control, and automation as used in optical instrumentation.
Mastery of mechanical engineering principles, including thermodynamics, fluid mechanics, heat transfer, materials science, and mechanical design.
Expert knowledge of engineering codes, standards, and regulatory requirements.
Ability to apply advanced analytical methods to solve unprecedented or overly complex engineering. problems.
Ability to utilize a variety of computer-based design and analysis tools (e.g., ANSYS STRUCTURAL, ANSYS MECHANICAL, SOLIDWORK SIMULATION, ABAQUS, NASTRAN, FEMM, COMSOL).
Ability to apply and incorporate innovative technology into design problems that may not be readily tractable by established methods.
Ability to communicate technical information effectively, both written and oral when presenting to both technical and non-technical staff of SAO and project partners.
Education completed outside the United States must be deemed equivalent to higher education programs of U.S. Institutions by an organization that specializes in the interpretation of foreign educational credentials. This documentation is the responsibility of the applicant and should be included as part of your application package.
Any false statement in your application may result in rejection of your application and may also result in termination after employment begins.

Responsibilities

The incumbent will collaborate with scientists to identify pioneering technologies to be applied to the development of innovative instruments that support the advancement of Observatory scientific research objectives and will ensure the translation of these concepts into functional hardware. The incumbent will be required to support multiple complex projects simultaneously.
In collaboration with CfA scientific investigators, the incumbent conceives, designs, and constructs highly complex scientific instruments, their support structures, optical systems, associated mechanisms, and test equipment that are at or extend state-of-the-art. Assignments will include the complete instrument life cycle, from conceptual design through integration, test, commissioning, operations, maintenance, and repair. Provides expert technical consultation to CfA scientists and other engineering staff in instrument mechanical design, state-of-the-art mechanisms, materials and processes selection, fabrication, and assembly methods, and fixturing, particularly in the areas of motion control devices, high reliability mechanisms, and general robotics.
Investigates, selects, justifies, and procures critical mechanical, servo-mechanical, and optical components used in astronomical/astrophysical instrumentation and its development. Prepares specifications for selected components that describe the technical approach and results and conclusions of engineering trades and analyses. Prepares procurement documentation that sets expectations and delivery criteria. Conducts detailed structural trades and analyses at the concept and detailed design levels to inform technical decisions. Supports the development of requirements and associated compliant systems designs.
Actively participates in the assembly of complex instrumentation involving intricate structures, mechanisms, and optics. Provides technical leadership to overall instrument fabrication, assembly, and test activities, both in SAO laboratories and externally, including at vendor or partner facilities and/or telescope sites. Documents work in technical memoranda, reports, test plans, and procedures. Develops technical specifications to communicate needs internally and to suppliers and partners. May author technical papers, either singly or in collaboration with project scientists and other engineers, to publish innovative design techniques and present results at technical symposia.
Serves as the project’s mechanical/structural representative to both internal and external stakeholders including senior management and staff at the CfA, collaborating or sponsoring organizations, and review teams. Makes both oral and written presentations to project scientists and technical representatives of contracting agencies and cooperating or affiliated organizations. Develops and presents detailed technical content at periodic status reviews, international conferences, and major gate reviews involving external partners. Serves on technical task forces, review teams, and committees.
Perform other duties as required