Opto Mechanical Design Engineer , (IS-0830-14)

Smithsonian Institution•Cambridge, MA

66d•$141,041 - $183,353•Onsite

About The Position

This is the position of Opto Mechanical Engineer, Central Engineering Department (CE), Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory (SAO). The purpose of the position is to support the Observatory’s scientific investigations by providing senior-level manufacturing engineering leadership to the engineering and scientific staff engaged in the development of complex ground-based optical instruments. The incumbent will mainly support projects such as Viaspec and instruments for the Giant Magellan Telescope; however, this position will also support air—and space-based projects as needed.

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 (13 ) level in similar positions. Specialized experience may include Design and development of opto-mechanical assemblies for high-performance optical systems, Finite Element Analysis (FEA) using tools such as ANSYS and SolidWorks, integration and alignment of optical systems, material selection and thermal management strategies including the use of Invar, titanium, and carbon fiber composites to minimize thermal expansion, and close collaboration with systems engineers, optical designers, and fabrication teams to ensure design intent is maintained through prototype, environmental testing, and into production.
Mastery 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 and direct the work of others.
Expert knowledge of the design and functionality of complex precision mechanisms, motion control, and automation as used in optical instrumentation.
Ability to utilize a variety of computer-based design and analysis tools ( e.g. ANASYS STRUCTURAL, ANSYS MECHANICA, SOLIDWORK SIMULATION, ABAQUS, NASTRAN, FEMM, COMSOL)
Ability to apply and incorporate cutting-edge 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.

Responsibilities

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 as well as to suppliers and partners. May write 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.
Travels both nationally and internationally as required to support project activities.
Performs other related duties as assigned.