Job openings
Engineer, Mechanical (posted May 29, 2020)
Position Summary
The Large Binocular Telescope (LBT) Observatory is seeking a motivated and talented engineer to join our team. This engineering position requires experience in an operational facility, ideally but not necessarily at a telescope. The position will be based at the LBTO headquarters in Tucson with frequent trips to Mt Graham (about three hours drive from Tucson).
The LBT is the largest optical/infrared telescope in the world, with a number of unique, leading edge capabilities. In particular, the LBT’s unique binocular design and state-of-the-art adaptive optics technology provides diffraction-limited imaging capability with resolution of a 22.8 meter telescope.
This is a multi-disciplined engineering position with emphasis on Mechanical Engineering. The candidate will be responsible for improving, maintaining, documenting and troubleshooting observatory systems, such as: telescope mount and support structure, telescope enclosure, instrumentation, HVAC, utilities (compressed air, cooling and heating), and drive systems involving electric motors.
The position requires excellent communications and teamwork skills. The ability to communicate technically complicated concepts, designs, and coordinate with mountain staff is critical. Familiarity with, and the ability to use engineering software and tools is desirable. This senior engineering position is expected to assist the Engineering Manager in the mentoring and career development of more junior staff in the engineering group, as well as helping develop and improve the engineering support of the telescope.
This position will report to the Engineering Manager, who is responsible for all Tucson-based engineering support, and is expected to work closely on-site with the Chief Engineer and Observatory Manager, based at Mt Graham. The position may require periodic stays at the observatory ranging from one to several days in duration.
Duties & Responsibilities
Knowledge, Skills, a & Abilities
Minimum Qualifications
Preferred Background
Outstanding UA benefits include health, dental, and vision insurance plans; life insurance and disability programs; paid vacation, sick leave, and holidays; UA/ASU/NAU tuition reduction for the employee and qualified family members; state and optional retirement plans; access to UA recreation and cultural activities; and more! More information on the UA Employee Benefits: http://www.hr.arizona.edu/benefits
Resources for UA Prospective Employees: http://employment.arizona.edu/
Address inquiries to director at lbto.org
To apply, follow this link: https://arizona.csod.com/ux/ats/careersite/4/home/requisition/1393
Position Summary
The Large Binocular Telescope (LBT) Observatory is seeking a motivated and talented engineer to join our team. This engineering position requires experience in an operational facility, ideally but not necessarily at a telescope. The position will be based at the LBTO headquarters in Tucson with frequent trips to Mt Graham (about three hours drive from Tucson).
The LBT is the largest optical/infrared telescope in the world, with a number of unique, leading edge capabilities. In particular, the LBT’s unique binocular design and state-of-the-art adaptive optics technology provides diffraction-limited imaging capability with resolution of a 22.8 meter telescope.
This is a multi-disciplined engineering position with emphasis on Mechanical Engineering. The candidate will be responsible for improving, maintaining, documenting and troubleshooting observatory systems, such as: telescope mount and support structure, telescope enclosure, instrumentation, HVAC, utilities (compressed air, cooling and heating), and drive systems involving electric motors.
The position requires excellent communications and teamwork skills. The ability to communicate technically complicated concepts, designs, and coordinate with mountain staff is critical. Familiarity with, and the ability to use engineering software and tools is desirable. This senior engineering position is expected to assist the Engineering Manager in the mentoring and career development of more junior staff in the engineering group, as well as helping develop and improve the engineering support of the telescope.
This position will report to the Engineering Manager, who is responsible for all Tucson-based engineering support, and is expected to work closely on-site with the Chief Engineer and Observatory Manager, based at Mt Graham. The position may require periodic stays at the observatory ranging from one to several days in duration.
Duties & Responsibilities
- Diagnose and troubleshoot observatory mechanical and electro-mechanical systems;
- Analyze, improve and optimize the operations of subsystems and equipment within the observatory, using both analytical tools and field tests;
- Specify requirements, develop equipment specifications and verify equipment performance;
- Develop, update and modify documentation (technical reports, drawings, specifications, procedures, etc). Use, improve and develop technical and administrative systems essential for the operation of the Observatory (spare parts management, preventive maintenance programs, project management, etc.)
- Develops scope and engineering solutions which include technical, schedule, budget and safety requirements for assigned work;
- Prepare proposals and presentations , progress reports and validation/closeout documentation for Management.
- Participate in and lead design reviews and other team efforts. Lead interdisciplinary coordination efforts, and collaborates closely with other disciplines to ensure delivery of a complete, approved, coordinated work product;
- Design modifications to existing mechanical and hydronics systems for installation of new instruments or performance improvements;
- Promotes a proactive safety culture. Identify safety issues, lead safety discussions, be responsive to safety concerns, and coordinate safety issues with the Safety Manager.
- Mentor junior members of the Engineering team and actively participate in training and building organizational capability.
- Maintain good working relationships with members of other organizations at the observatory site.
- Assist the Observatory Manager in operational tasks and planning when needed. Backup of the technical staff including some overnight stays at the facility.
- Report all potential problems and/or deviation from normal mountain procedures.
- Prepare or assist in preparation of project proposals and plans, as well as management and execution of projects.
Knowledge, Skills, a & Abilities
- Familiarity with maintenance planning, spare parts management and issue tracking tools and software;
- Good organizational skills;
- Ability to learn about and understand the operations and functions of observatory subsystems;
- Knowledge of computers and standard software such as Microsoft Office products;
- Ability to work independently and in small teams on technical tasks;
- Result-oriented, self-motivated and able to work and deliver results with little supervision.
Minimum Qualifications
- BS in Mechanical Engineering or related field;
- Eight (8) years of relevant experience
- Ability to work at altitudes above 10,000 feet;
- Ability to drive according to the University Fleet Safety Policy.
Preferred Background
- Mechanical, process and industrial engineering experience
- Project management and systems engineering experience
- Experience with a high precision mechanical system
- Experience with astronomical telescopes or complex optical systems
- Experience with process improvement tools and methodologies (reliability
- engineering, continuous improvement, risk prediction, FMECA, etc.)
- Experience with Linux operating system
- Technical writing experience (specifications, procedures, etc.)
- Familiarity with technical standards (ANSI, ASME, ISO, GD&T, etc.)
- Demonstrable knowledge of mechanical engineering
- Experience with mechanical engineering practices (structural analysis,
- design of machine elements, mass and energy balance, fluid dynamics,etc.)
- Experience with standard mechanical engineering systems (drives, machine frames and structures, hydronics, heating and cooling, etc.)
- Experience using CAD software, preferably AutoDesk suite
- Experience with modelling and simulation software (FEA, CFD, vibration analysis)
- Demonstrated hands on experience (design, operations, troubleshooting, and maintenance)
Outstanding UA benefits include health, dental, and vision insurance plans; life insurance and disability programs; paid vacation, sick leave, and holidays; UA/ASU/NAU tuition reduction for the employee and qualified family members; state and optional retirement plans; access to UA recreation and cultural activities; and more! More information on the UA Employee Benefits: http://www.hr.arizona.edu/benefits
Resources for UA Prospective Employees: http://employment.arizona.edu/
Address inquiries to director at lbto.org
To apply, follow this link: https://arizona.csod.com/ux/ats/careersite/4/home/requisition/1393
You can search vacant positions at the University of Arizona (and LBTO) by visiting the Human Resources website here: https://uacareers.com/postings/search