Job Details

Canada-France-Hawaii Telescope (CFHT) has an immediate opening for a Mechanical Technician to work at our observatory facility on the Mauna Kea summit.

CFHT offers a competitive salary commensurate with experience and a generous benefits package that includes medical/dental insurance, 21 days paid vacation, family medical/parental leave, a defined contribution retirement plan, and tuition support for dependent minors.

This position will be open until filled.

Duties:

• Perform and document preventative maintenance on hydraulic, diesel fuel, glycol cooling, and pneumatic systems using manufacturer instructions and other internal documentation.
• Perform preventive maintenance, troubleshooting, and repair, as needed, of custom mechanical systems such as the dome shutter and drive, as well as the telescope structure and drive.
• Perform daily and weekly building checks and assist in snow removal if required.
• Operate cranes and lifts for various activities such as instrument exchanges and mirror recoating.
• Participate in mechanical upgrades to the observatory, including retrofitting new components to replace existing components.
• Lead mechanical maintenance & upgrade projects.
• Provide lists of materials that are consumed for maintenance and upgrade projects.
• Participate and engage in group meetings, safety discussions, and applicable design reviews.
• Maintain a clean and safe work environment.

Minimum Requirements and Qualifications:

• Graduation from high school or a vocational school with coursework in mechanics or equivalent knowledge and experience.
• Work experience in mechanics, mechanical maintenance, or mechanical repair of various machinery.
• Ability to read and understand written and electronic work orders.
• Ability to work with a team and independently.
• Ability to work on call at various hours (occasionally).
• Ability to perform duties effectively and safely at the site of CFHT, characterized by an altitude of 4200 meters, low temperatures, and low humidity.
• Ability to pass a high-altitude physical administered by a certified physician.
• Hold a current driver's license issued by the State of Hawaii, with the ability to drive a 4-wheel vehicle to the CFHT Summit on a partially paved access road.
• Willingness to drive a bridge crane at heights over 70 feet, carrying loads of 12 tons.
• Willingness to climb on towers, the telescope structure, and dome, and to work in boom and scissor lifts, and ladders with the appropriate personal protective equipment.
• Ability to lift and carry heavy machinery to perform job duties.
• Possess good troubleshooting and logical reasoning skills.
• Possess good oral and written communication skills.

Desired Experience:

• 5 years of work experience in mechanics, mechanical maintenance, or mechanical repair of various machinery.
• Experience with welding.
• Experience with machining (lathe, mill, CNC, etc).
• Experience with sheet metal or construction woodworking.
• Experience with working on industrial hydraulic, refrigeration, and pneumatic systems.

Remote Work Policy: This position does not qualify for remote work. Whoever is hired is expected to work 100 percent at the summit. Remote work will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis.

CFHT is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to a diverse and inclusive workplace that fosters collaborative scientific discovery and innovation. In support of this commitment, CFHT does not discriminate in employment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy and gender identity), national origin, political affiliation, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, genetic information, age, parental status, military service, or other non-merit factors.

CFHT is located on the island of Hawai'i (also known as 'The Big Island'), and the observatory is located on Maunakea. Maunakea is culturally significant to the Native Hawaiian people, and CFHT conducts all operations with the utmost respect for our historic and unique location. All CFHT employees are expected to treat Maunakea with respect and to acknowledge the privileged position they hold while being present on Maunakea.