SENIOR MECHANICAL ENGINEER

Job number:  07110702

Type:  Full time, professional.

Closing date:  Open until the position is filled.

Location:  GMT Project Office, Pasadena CA


Background:

The Giant Magellan Telescope (GMT) Project is a collaboration of major US and international educational and research institutions constructing a next-generation extremely large optical/infrared telescope for scientific astronomical research.  GMT will have a segmented primary mirror 25 meters in diameter and will be located at Las Campanas Observatory in Chile. The telescope is being designed with adaptive optics and an advanced suite of instruments to support a diverse program of key scientific investigations.  The Project has completed the conceptual design of the telescope and facility and is currently in the Design Development Phase.  The GMT members include Carnegie Institution of Washington, Harvard University, Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory, University of Arizona, University of Texas at Austin, Texas A&M University, and the Australian National University.  The project office is located in Pasadena, California.

GMT website:  www.gmto.org


Job Summary:

The Senior Mechanical Engineer will be a key member of the GMT Telescope Group.  The telescope will be designed and constructed by the project team working closely with outside university and commercial engineering groups.  The Senior Mechanical Engineer will take an active hands-on role in the design of the telescope with direct responsibility for various subsystems. 

The Senior Mechanical Engineer will work with systems engineering and others on the telescope team to develop design requirements, interface control documents, and error budgets for the telescope mount.  He/she will participate in the performance modeling of the telescope and interact with optics, controls, and instrumentation engineers.

The Senior Mechanical Engineer will also be involved in writing statements of work and technical specifications for work packages contracted to outside groups and for monitoring the progress of such work.

He/she will be called upon to write technical reports and make presentations of the telescope design at project reviews.


Job Duties:

The Senior Mechanical Engineer will be responsible for:Deriving subsystem requirements from high-level requirements. Analyzing and designing mechanical systems of the telescope in such areas as the telescope bearings and drives, ventilation systems, mirror covers, utility transfer systems, handling fixtures, etc. Working closely with contractors providing engineering services and fabrication for the telescope. Preparing technical reports to document the design and performance of GMT. Preparing and delivering presentations at technical reviews and conferences. Participating in the procurement process for engineering services and construction including identification of potential vendors/suppliers, preparation of technical specifications & statements of work, and participation in the selection process and monitoring of work.

The Senior Mechanical Engineer will work closely with others to:Develop design requirements and interface specifications for the telescope.  Assist in the preparation of the relevant control documents. Support the preparation of top-down and bottom-up system error budgets. Assist in the preparation of the group work breakdown structure, budget, and schedule.  Support performance modeling of the mechanical, optical, and control systems of the telescope in the presence of wind disturbance and atmospheric turbulence effects. Coordinate integration and test plans.


Minimum Requirements:A B.S. degree in mechanical engineering.  An advanced degree is preferred. 7 years experience engineering large precision structures. Willingness and ability to travel to foreign and domestic vendor, partner, and observatory locations as the need arises.


Knowledge, Skills and AbilitiesExpertise with solid modeling CAD design and finite element analysis.  Matlab experience is preferred. Experience with telescope or aerospace systems is strongly preferred. Excellent written and oral communication skills. Demonstrated ability to work in a team environment.  The ability to assume a leadership role is preferred.


Compensation

GMTO Corporation offers a competitive compensation package including medical and retirement benefits.  The level of compensation will depend on the experience of the applicant.  Employment will be though the Carnegie Institution of Washington (CIW).  CIW is an equal opportunity employer.


Applying

Applicants should submit a Letter of Interest and a Resume at http://www.gmto.org/employment. Only electronic submissions will be accepted.  Please refer to the Job Number in the letter.