Systems Engineer

Associated Universities • CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA

27d • Onsite

About The Position

The National Radio Astronomy Observatory (NRAO), managed by Associated Universities, Inc. (AUI), is seeking an experienced Systems Engineer for the North American ALMA Support Center in Charlottesville, VA. This role is part of the ALMA Radio Telescope upgrade project, specifically the ALMA Wideband Sensitivity Upgrade (WSU) program. The position offers the opportunity to apply systems engineering expertise to advance millimeter wave astronomy. This is a 3-year term position with a potential extension, requiring approximately 10% international travel.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in engineering or related field.
• At least 10 years working as a systems engineer in 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 life cycle phases from design to operations.
• Experience working with international teams.
• Excellent verbal and written communication.
• Proactive and independent work ethic.
• Enthusiasm to work in a team with subject matter experts, engineers, and scientists across domains and projects.
• 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 for the establishment of high-tech, large-scale infrastructure related to radio astronomy, such as radar, communication systems, or optical telescopes.
• Exposure to the following technology domains: electromagnetic, RF, digital signal processing, mechanical, software engineering, and civil engineering.

Responsibilities

• Oversee and participate in the implementation of systems engineering processes across the life cycle of multiple projects within the ALMA Wideband Sensitivity Upgrade (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 and assist in managing subsystem design reviews.
• Serve as a member of the project controls team.
• Guide the systems engineering management processes, including configuration management, baselining, change management, and document management processes.
• Facilitate these processes across projects with international partners.
• Participate in system integration and testing activities.

Benefits

• Excellent paid time off (13 holidays, annual accrual of up to 24 vacation days).
• Medical, dental and vision plans effective on the first day of employment.
• Retirement benefit: AUI contributes an amount equal to 10 percent of a qualified participant’s base pay with no required employee contribution.

What This Job Offers

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