GM
Senior Adaptive Optics Engineer
Accepting applicationsGiant Magellan Telescope · Pasadena, CA
Full-Time Senior AIMatlabPythonaiate
Posted
1d ago
Category
Test
Experience
Senior
Country
United States
Title: Senior Adaptive Optics Engineer
Element: Wavefront Sensing and Control
Manager: Wavefront Sensing and Control Manager
Type: Full Time
Location: Pasadena, CA
Job Summary
The Senior Adaptive Optics (AO) Engineer will assume a leadership role in bringing the AO subsystems design to full maturity and planning their final integration, test and delivery. The current phase of GMTO’s AO development is opportunity-rich for creative solutions and significant contributions to the design of a cutting edge ELT on the frontiers of astronomy.
The responsibility includes technical oversight of the final design of some of the WFSC hardware subsystems under development both internally and by partner institutions and industrial vendors such as SAO, INAF, Tellus1 Scientific and the Australian National University. The Senior Adaptive Optics Engineer will be responsible for oversight of all aspects of project execution including subsystem technical progress, allocation of resources, cost and schedule throughout the full duration of the final design phase including leadership of the subsystem final design review. The final design will include review and update of subsystem requirements as well as the plans for assembly, integration, test (AIT) and performance verification of these subsystems in the Adaptive Optics labs in Italy and on the observatory site. The Senior AO Engineer will assume a lead role in the assembly, integration, testing, and verification of the GMTO WFSC subsystems in both Italy and at GMTO Las Campanas Observatory.
The Senior AO Engineer will work within the Wavefront Sensing and Control group reporting directly to the Wavefront Sensing and Control Manager and will assist in supervision of the team members responsible for technical work.
Job Duties
Lead in the concept and design of real time AO and phasing control systems
Lead in the final design of real time AO and phasing control subsystem hardware
Collaborate closely with the Wavefront Sensing and Control Manager to ensure technical goals align with system-level requirements.
Work with the Senior Project Coordinator in the WFSC group to plan, manage and track tasks, resources, and deliverables related to AO subsystem development.
Interface with external vendors and internal teams to support procurement, integration, and review processes.
Collaborate with other organizational elements across the GMT project to mature interfaces and to identify and manage interdependencies between subsystems.
Review and understand test results of optical/electronic/mechanical prototypes designed to validate designs and/or burn down performance risks.
Own responsibility for preparation of technical reports to document the GMTO AO subsystem requirements, design and performance.
Supervise as well as prepare and deliver presentations at GMTO technical gate reviews and conferences
Participate in the procurement and testing of AO-related subsystems such as wavefront sensors, calibration sources, real-time computer systems and/or laser guide star facility subsystems
Essential Skills, Knowledge And Abilities
M.S. degree in optical science, astronomy, physics, or a related field
Demonstrated ability to work in a cross functional global collaborative team environment
Experience in the following areas:
Delivery of Adaptive Optics systems on sky
Optical Systems Engineering
Hands-on experience developing adaptive optics systems and/or hardware-in-the-loop (HIL) optical testbeds
Resource management
Strength in AO theory, modeling techniques, components, and testing methods
Superb written and oral communication skills
Outstanding communication skills, reporting status to project management
Willingness to travel to foreign and domestic vendor and observatory locations as the need arises
Desired Skills, Knowledge And Abilities
Ph.D. degree in optical science, astronomy, physics, or a related field
Real time controls experience
Systems Engineering experience
Competency using high-level programming languages such as Matlab, IDL, or Python
Hands-on experience developing and testing astronomical adaptive optics systems or laboratory optical testbeds
Versed in use of Zemax, Code V, or similar optical design and analysis tools
Working Conditions
Normal office and laboratory environments.
Featured Benefits
Medical insurance
Vision insurance
401(k)
Dental insurance
Disability insurance
Hiring Range
$180,000-$235,000
The salary for this role will be set based on a variety of factors, including but not limited to, internal equity, experience, education, and training.
Show more Show less
Element: Wavefront Sensing and Control
Manager: Wavefront Sensing and Control Manager
Type: Full Time
Location: Pasadena, CA
Job Summary
The Senior Adaptive Optics (AO) Engineer will assume a leadership role in bringing the AO subsystems design to full maturity and planning their final integration, test and delivery. The current phase of GMTO’s AO development is opportunity-rich for creative solutions and significant contributions to the design of a cutting edge ELT on the frontiers of astronomy.
The responsibility includes technical oversight of the final design of some of the WFSC hardware subsystems under development both internally and by partner institutions and industrial vendors such as SAO, INAF, Tellus1 Scientific and the Australian National University. The Senior Adaptive Optics Engineer will be responsible for oversight of all aspects of project execution including subsystem technical progress, allocation of resources, cost and schedule throughout the full duration of the final design phase including leadership of the subsystem final design review. The final design will include review and update of subsystem requirements as well as the plans for assembly, integration, test (AIT) and performance verification of these subsystems in the Adaptive Optics labs in Italy and on the observatory site. The Senior AO Engineer will assume a lead role in the assembly, integration, testing, and verification of the GMTO WFSC subsystems in both Italy and at GMTO Las Campanas Observatory.
The Senior AO Engineer will work within the Wavefront Sensing and Control group reporting directly to the Wavefront Sensing and Control Manager and will assist in supervision of the team members responsible for technical work.
Job Duties
Lead in the concept and design of real time AO and phasing control systems
Lead in the final design of real time AO and phasing control subsystem hardware
Collaborate closely with the Wavefront Sensing and Control Manager to ensure technical goals align with system-level requirements.
Work with the Senior Project Coordinator in the WFSC group to plan, manage and track tasks, resources, and deliverables related to AO subsystem development.
Interface with external vendors and internal teams to support procurement, integration, and review processes.
Collaborate with other organizational elements across the GMT project to mature interfaces and to identify and manage interdependencies between subsystems.
Review and understand test results of optical/electronic/mechanical prototypes designed to validate designs and/or burn down performance risks.
Own responsibility for preparation of technical reports to document the GMTO AO subsystem requirements, design and performance.
Supervise as well as prepare and deliver presentations at GMTO technical gate reviews and conferences
Participate in the procurement and testing of AO-related subsystems such as wavefront sensors, calibration sources, real-time computer systems and/or laser guide star facility subsystems
Essential Skills, Knowledge And Abilities
M.S. degree in optical science, astronomy, physics, or a related field
Demonstrated ability to work in a cross functional global collaborative team environment
Experience in the following areas:
Delivery of Adaptive Optics systems on sky
Optical Systems Engineering
Hands-on experience developing adaptive optics systems and/or hardware-in-the-loop (HIL) optical testbeds
Resource management
Strength in AO theory, modeling techniques, components, and testing methods
Superb written and oral communication skills
Outstanding communication skills, reporting status to project management
Willingness to travel to foreign and domestic vendor and observatory locations as the need arises
Desired Skills, Knowledge And Abilities
Ph.D. degree in optical science, astronomy, physics, or a related field
Real time controls experience
Systems Engineering experience
Competency using high-level programming languages such as Matlab, IDL, or Python
Hands-on experience developing and testing astronomical adaptive optics systems or laboratory optical testbeds
Versed in use of Zemax, Code V, or similar optical design and analysis tools
Working Conditions
Normal office and laboratory environments.
Featured Benefits
Medical insurance
Vision insurance
401(k)
Dental insurance
Disability insurance
Hiring Range
$180,000-$235,000
The salary for this role will be set based on a variety of factors, including but not limited to, internal equity, experience, education, and training.
Show more Show less