Job Details

General Description of Position:

The Principal Mechanical Engineer (ME) provides leadership in field of expertise, by virtue of a high level of technical education combined with extensive experience and a proven record of achievement. The ME will also lead and participate inmaintenance, upgrade and operation of major systems of the DKIST, managing staff as assigned. The ME will solve complex engineering, development and coordination problems. The ME will manage assigned mechanical work packages and staff including scheduling and budget.

Essential Functions:

• Develop a thorough working knowledge of the specifications, requirements and design of all major DKIST systems.
• Anticipates and creates opportunities for technical improvements in Observatory operations or equipment.
• Takes project-based lead engineering roles that involve oversight of significant design fabrication, integration, and operational activities on major projects (including technical, schedule, budget, and staff), when applicable.
• Initiates studies and investigates new technical approaches.
• Solves engineering problems that are at or beyond the current state of the art.
• Provides technical leadership for engineering and scientific staff members.
• Manage assigned technical staff for selection, utilization and training of subordinates. Provide recommended salary and title changes when appropriate.
• Act as point of contact to leadership team to be advised of needs and upcoming schedule/activities, and in turn, advise of concerns and risks, request resources or support.
• Prioritize, schedule, and assign tasks and activities. Report on progress and results. Create and manage team schedules and work orders. Define goals, communicate objectives, and monitor Provide quality assurance inspection of work; create/close work orders and provide logs and reports as required.
• Coordinate shift assignments for technicians for observing support and technical
• Assess skills proficiency of staff; identify and recommend training or other professional development. Evaluate performance and productivity; provide timely feedback & coaching. Ensure technician work follows good practice and is compliant with applicable consensus standards. This includes correcting unsafe behavior or conditions and work with the project safety staff and management as appropriate
• Determines and specifies improvements in equipment, tools, materials, methods and software that advance the technical capabilities of the Observatory.
• Plans and executes engineering activities that are at the forefront of astronomical telescope technology.
• Often performs technical analysis or design that is at a level above that expected of a senior engineer.
• Complies with approved schedules and insure meeting both technical and budgetary requirements of assigned work.
• Complies with all applicable codes and safety standards and corrects and/or reports unsafe conditions or practices.
• Solves engineering and technical problems where minimal guidance is provided.
• Reports results of activities to management.
• Foster a positive and productive work environment through effective team management.
• Implement strategies to enhance team collaboration and professional growth.
• Promote diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) within the team to ensure a respectful and inclusive workplace.
• All AURA employees are responsible for the proper management and control of all AURA property within their work area, whether assigned to them or someone else. This responsibility includes reporting any known missing, stolen, or non-working property in their work area to their supervisor or the AURA Property Officer.

Other Functions:

• Other duties as assigned

Required Education/Experience/Skills/Abilities:

• Bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering plus the recognition and achievement of technical, scientific and leadership excellence in the field.
• At least 15 years of progressively responsible experience in engineering, development, fabrication/integration, and analysis of technical apparatus.
• Ability to independently identify and resolve technical problems by application of a high-level of engineering, scientific, or mathematical techniques.
• Able to speak and write effectively, including preparation of comprehensive technical reports.
• Able to effectively communicate and cooperate with others at all levels of the organization, as well as with key business contacts outside the company.
• A thorough working knowledge of MS Office applications
• Proficient with Solidworks or equivalent 3-D modeling tools
• Experience with planning and conducting maintenance, familiarity with maintenance management systems, tools, and processes.
• Knowledge of technological developments and the ability to apply them to existing assignments.
• Willingness to actively participate in team safety meetings and adhere to (and advocate for) safety procedures and protocols.
• Sensitive to and respectful of cultural and environmental issues.

Preferred Education/Experience/Skills/Abilities:

• Master's degree and/or Professional Engineer credential
• Direct staff management and development experience including supervision and mentoring of engineers and technician level employees.
• Proven project management experience including working knowledge of MS Project or other scheduling tools.
• Experience of work in a research and development or astronomical facility and of working with observing instruments.
• Experience with process control, thermal control systems, HVAC
• Experience with planning and conducting maintenance, familiarity with maintenance management systems, tools, and processes.
• Experience with opto-mechanical hardware installation and alignment.
• Experience with high precision alignment and analysis tools, laser tracker, CMM arm, and analysis with Spatial Analyzer or equivalent.
• Experience in development of operations and maintenance documentation.
• Experience FEA modelling (ANSYS preferred) and CFD (e.g. Star-CCM)
• Experience with in house CAD package software (AutoCAD, Solidworks, Navisworks)
• Experience in the planning and execution of maintenance for complex Mechanical systems.
• Experience with high vacuum and cryogenic systems.
• Plays a leadership role in the activities of relevant technical associations or the astronomy community.

Physical Demands:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel and talk or hear.
• The employee is occasionally required to stand; walk; reach with hands and arms and stoop; climb stairs and ladders; kneel; crouch; or crawl.
• The employee must regularly lift and /or move up to 10 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds.
• Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, depth perception, ability to adjust focus, and ability to distinguish colors.
• Must possess - sufficient mobility, strength, or dexterity in both arms and hands and both legs to a) reach upward, sideways, downward to work with paper files; b) sufficient mobility and dexterity to utilize computer systems, fax machines, copiers, and other office machines.
• Must possess sufficient mobility, strength or dexterity in both arms and hands and both legs to a) grasp, push, pull, turn or otherwise manipulate tools and mechanisms; b) push, shove, pull or otherwise safely and efficiently manipulate tools or mechanisms; c) lift, hold, maneuver, objects of 10 lbs or more; d) maintain balance while performing work; e) remove parts, systems, tools of 25 lbs or more
• Must possess - 1) ability to read and understand instructions, drawings, safety guides, and other written materials necessary to perform job; 2) sufficient visual capacity to perform the applicable functions without assistance of visual aids other than eye contacts or eye glasses; 3) sufficient spoken aural capacity to hear and understand instructions, warning bells, fire alarms, or shouted instructions without assistance of auditory aids other than a hearing aid; and 4) ability to impart information orally so that others understand and can respond appropriately.
• Some travel may be necessary between the Hawaiian Islands, the mainland United States, and internationally.
• Ability to regularly work at 10,000' elevation, sometimes during inclement weather.
• Availability to work varying shifts, which may include nights, holidays, and weekends.
• There will be occasional working at height utilizing fall protection equipment, ladders and scaffolding.

Salary Range: $140,000.00-$170,000.00. The final salary will depend on skills, qualifications and experience.

AURA offers an excellent benefits package including paid time off and retirement plan contributions, competitive salary commensurate with experience, and a very attractive work environment. Details on benefits can be found at

The position will remain open until it is filled. To be considered in the first round of reviews, please submit your application by November 15, 2024.

• Please submit a cover letter and a CV or resume, PDF files preferred. Please name any attachments with the following format: Lastname Docname.
• Application documents that are not uploaded as part of the application may be sent to ...@aura-astronomy.org.
• Please enter 3 professional references in your application (references will only be contacted later in the recruitment process).

Veterans, disabled individuals or wounded warriors needing assistance with the employment process should request assistance at ...@aura-astronomy.org

The Association of Universities for Research in Astronomy (AURA) is a consortium of 49 US institutions and 3 international affiliates that operates world-class astronomical observatories for the National Science Foundation and NASA. AURA's role is to establish, nurture, and promote public observatories and facilities that advance innovative astronomical research. In addition, AURA is deeply committed to public and educational outreach, and to diversity throughout the astronomical and scientific workforce. AURA carries out its role through its astronomical facilities.

As a recipient of U.S. Government funding, AURA is considered a government contractor and is subject to Equal Employment Opportunity and Affirmative Action regulations. As an Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action Employer, AURA does not discriminate based on race, sex, color, age, religion, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity/gender identity expression, lawful political affiliations, veteran status, disability, and/or any other legally protected status under applicable federal, state, and local equal opportunity laws. The statements below as well as the requests for self-identification are required pursuant to these regulations. We encourage your participation in meeting these federal reporting requirements which are included for protection and to assist us in our recordkeeping and reporting. Your responses are kept strictly confidential.

Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities

The contractor will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. However, employees who have access to the compensation information of other employees or applicants as a part of their essential job functions cannot disclose the pay of other employees or applicants to individuals who do not otherwise have access to compensation information, unless the disclosure is (a) in response to a formal complaint or charge, (b) in furtherance of an investigation, proceeding, hearing, or action, including an investigation conducted by the employer, or (c) consistent with the contractor's legal duty to furnish information. 41 CFR 60-1.35(c)