Systems Engineer

Associated Universities • CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA

19d • $120,000 - $140,000 • Onsite

About The Position

The National Radio Astronomy Observatory (NRAO) is seeking an experienced systems engineer to support the North American ALMA Support Center’s responsibilities for the ALMA Wideband Sensitivity Upgrade (WSU) program. The role supports a system-wide upgrade to the ALMA Radio Telescope in Chile and offers the opportunity to contribute systems engineering expertise to millimeter-wave astronomy. The position is based at NRAO headquarters in Charlottesville, Virginia. It is primarily on-site, though a hybrid arrangement with weekly on-site presence may be considered for exceptional candidates. Occasional domestic and international travel is required, approximately 10%.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering, physical science, systems engineering, or a related field; significant, relevant work experience may be considered in lieu of a degree.
• At least 10 years of experience working as a systems engineer on integrated projects, preferably in scientific R&D environments.
• Demonstrated experience with core systems engineering principles, including requirements capture, verification and validation plans, full project lifecycle planning, and scheduling and running effective meetings with geographically dispersed teams.
• Experience working across lifecycle phases from design to operations.
• Exposure to electromagnetic, RF, digital signal processing, mechanical, software engineering, and civil engineering technology domains.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Proactive and independent work ethic.
• Enthusiasm for working in teams with subject matter experts, engineers, and scientists across domains and projects.
• Must be authorized to work in the United States; the Observatory presently cannot sponsor H-1B visas for this position.

Nice To Haves

• Experience in an application domain involving high-tech, large-scale infrastructure related to radio astronomy, such as radar, communication systems, or optical telescopes.
• Experience working with international teams.

Responsibilities

• Oversee and participate in systems engineering processes across the life cycle of multiple projects in the ALMA WSU program.
• Review and communicate system architecture, system requirements, subsystem designs, and other technical documents.
• Develop and collaborate on integration, verification, and validation plans, interface control documents, and similar documents.
• Prepare and execute system reviews, assist in managing subsystem design reviews, and serve as a member of the project controls team.
• Guide systems engineering management processes, including configuration management, baselining, change management, and document management, and facilitate these processes across projects with international partners.
• Participate in system integration and testing activities.

Benefits

• 13 paid holidays.
• Annual vacation accrual of up to 24 days.
• Medical, dental, and vision plans effective on the first day of employment, subject to eligibility requirements.
• Retirement benefit equal to 10% of a qualified participant’s base pay, with no required employee contribution.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior