Job Posting Title:

Engineering Scientist, McDonald Observatory

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Hiring Department:

McDonald Observatory

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Position Open To:

All Applicants

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Weekly Scheduled Hours:

40

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FLSA Status:

Exempt

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Earliest Start Date:

Immediately

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Position Duration:

Expected to Continue

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Location:

UT MAIN CAMPUS

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Job Details:

General Notes

The McDonald Observatory is a major astronomical research observatory located 16 miles from Fort Davis, Texas (440 miles from the UT Austin campus). This position is located on the UT Austin campus and will require occasional travel to the observatory.

We are hiring a talented and motivated engineering scientist to join our team. This position may be filled at a level relative to the experience and qualifications of the selected candidate and with a salary commensurate of their qualifications. Applicants must be authorized to work in the United States on a full-time basis for any employer without sponsorship.

This position will provide mechanical engineering expertise as part of a small, high-functioning team that brings together a wide range of disciplines, including mechanical, optical, electronic, vacuum, cryogenic, and software engineering, in the development of state-of-the-art research instrumentation for astronomy. This instrument development includes new technologies and the forefront research enabled by these efforts includes the study of the evolution of galaxies and the structure of the universe through time. Work ranges from design and analysis to highly hands-on and may require spending stretches of time at the Observatory. The instruments are deployed on telescopes ranging in size up to the very largest. Papers describing examples of instrumentation developed by McDonald Observatory can be found here: https://utexas.box.com/s/wopysx7dy1yp3gx07x9c1ojs1tzxwc69.

The University of Texas at Austin provides an outstanding benefits package to staff, including:

Competitive health benefits (Employee premiums covered at 100%; family premiums at 50%)

Vision, dental, life, and disability insurance options

Paid vacation, sick leave, and holidays

Teachers Retirement System of Texas (a defined benefit retirement plan)

Additional voluntary retirement programs: tax-sheltered annuity 403(b) and a deferred compensation program 457(b)

Flexible spending account options for medical and childcare expenses

For more details, please see https://hr.utexas.edu/prospective/benefits and https://hr.utexas.edu/current/services/my-total-rewards.

Purpose

To develop, direct, and perform advanced professional-level applied engineering and/or scientific research projects in astronomy in support of the goals of the Observatory. This position reports to the Chief Astronomer.

Responsibilities

Applies Mechanical Engineering principles to design components and assemblies and supervises their manufacture. As directed by Principal Investigator input, undertakes advanced engineering projects to achieve research goals to improve instrumentation and facilities for the McDonald Observatory.

Interprets high-level requirements from Principal Investigators and develops and fields scientific instrumentation, including requirements analysis through design, fabrication, commissioning, and field support. Works closely with project team members, principal investigators, and Observatory management to ensure that science requirements for projects are flowed down to engineering requirements and that science requirements are met. Reports and presents findings to project directors, principal investigators, telescope boards, and sponsors.

Designs, builds, aligns, tests, and troubleshoots mechanical equipment, optical components, and assemblies that are integrated into instrumentation employing precision electrical sensors and controls and further integrated into existing telescopes or their support facilities. Determines project engineering requirements and desired results and develops procedures to be used to attain such results. Assures all processes are documented appropriately.

Develops design requirements for new projects, writes design reports, directs, coordinates, and assists in the assembly and development of instrumentation. Places and monitors the fabrication of designed parts in machine shops. Assists in preparing research proposals, preparing plans, budgets, and schedules, and overseeing detailed phases for research projects, including supervising technicians. Uses project management methods to track and report progress and costs.

As lead author, publishes results in journals and presents results at scientific and technical conferences. Attends technical conferences and trade events to maintain knowledge of cutting-edge technology as applied to astronomical engineering projects. Performs other related functions to meet business operations.

Required Qualifications

Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Opto-mechanical Engineering, or other applied science field related to the work performed and at least three (3) years of applied research experience involving mechanical or opto-mechanical design .

Experience with engineering and/or scientific software tools and equipment ordinarily used in a lab setting on mechanical, optical, and electronic assemblies used in research. Proficient in the use of at least one common 3D CAD, CAE, FEA, simulation and/or analysis engineering software packages, such as SolidWorks, Ansys, or equivalent.

Experience and knowledge of engineering and scientific methods in instrumentation-based research, design, assembly, and commissioning of precision instrumentation.

Experience using or designing specialized research equipment as required by past research projects.      

Familiarity and experience using machine shop equipment and tools, as well as additive manufacturing tools.

Strong verbal, written, and interpersonal communication skills.

Effective organizational, decision-making, and critical thinking skills.

Ability to be adaptable, work independently, and be an integral project team member.

Demonstrable lessons learned and problem-solving skills.

Relevant education and experience may be substituted as appropriate.

Preferred Qualifications

Master's degree in Mechanical Engineering, or other related area, plus at least six (6) years of applied research experience in a related field.

Demonstrated experience in one or more areas of mechanical engineering relevant to the Observatory, including but not limited to: CAD / CAE, FEA and structural analysis, CFD, thermal analysis, vibration analysis, opto-mechanical systems, motion control, cryogenic and vacuum systems

Additional experience handling, assembling, and troubleshooting astronomical instrumentation in a lab setting and at telescopes.

Demonstrable learning of new disciplines outside of those learned during formal education.

Familiarity with the electronic systems used in instrumentation motion control.

Experience assembling and handling precision optical components.

Experience with vacuum and cryogenic systems.

Project management training and/or experience.

Salary Range

$100,000+ depending on qualifications and experience

Working Conditions

Standard office conditions

Working at a computer, repetitive use of a keyboard at a workstation.

Use of manual dexterity

Climbing of stairs and ladders

Working with hazardous chemicals, cryogenic liquids, and chemical fumes

May work around electrical and mechanical hazards

May work in all weather conditions

Use of approved safety equipment is required.  May be required to undergo respirator fit testing.

Occasional work at the McDonald Observatory in West Texas for up to two weeks at a time, working days and/or nights in support of instrument deployment and maintenance

McDonald Observatory is located approximately 6800 feet above sea level.  Environmental conditions can be unpredictable, and temperatures can range from -10˚F to +95˚F.  Inclement winter weather can be expected which requires comfortable driving in wintry conditions on mountain grades.

Must be able to work for any employer without sponsorship.

Work Shift

Generally, M-F, 8 am – 5 pm

May require some weekend or evening work

Occasional travel required to McDonald Observatory, 16 miles from Fort Davis, Texas (440 miles away from the UT Austin campus)

Required Materials

Letter of interest (describe your experience and qualifications for the position)

Resume/CV

Three work references with their contact information; at least one reference should be from a supervisor

Application Instructions

External Applicant - Applicants NOT current university employees or contingent workers: You will be prompted to submit your resume in the first step of the online job application process. Then, any additional Required Materials will be uploaded in the My Experience section; you can multi-select the additional files or click the Upload button for each file. Before submitting your online job application, ensure that ALL Required Materials have been uploaded.  Once your job application has been submitted, you cannot make changes.​

Internal Applicant - Current university employees and contingent workers applicants: Before you apply, log-in to Workday, navigate to your Worker Profile, click the Career link in the left-hand navigation menu and then update the sections in your Professional Profile. As a current university employee or contingent worker, you MUST apply within Workday by searching for Find Jobs. The application is one page, you can multi-select the additional files or click the Upload button for each file. Before submitting your online job application, ensure that ALL Required Materials have been uploaded.  Once your job application has been submitted, you cannot make changes.

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Employment Eligibility:

Regular staff who have been employed in their current position for the last six continuous months are eligible for openings being recruited for through University-Wide or Open Recruiting, to include both promotional opportunities and lateral transfers. Staff who are promotion/transfer eligible may apply for positions without supervisor approval.

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Retirement Plan Eligibility:

The retirement plan for this position is Teacher Retirement System of Texas (TRS), subject to the position being at least 20 hours per week and at least 135 days in length.

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Background Checks:

A criminal history background check will be required for finalist(s) under consideration for this position.

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Equal Opportunity Employer:

The University of Texas at Austin, as an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer, complies with all applicable federal and state laws regarding nondiscrimination and affirmative action. The University is committed to a policy of equal opportunity for all persons and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, marital status, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, disability, religion, or veteran status in employment, educational programs and activities, and admissions.

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Pay Transparency:

The University of Texas at Austin 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.

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Employment Eligibility Verification:

If hired, you will be required to complete the federal Employment Eligibility Verification I-9 form.  You will be required to present acceptable and original documents to prove your identity and authorization to work in the United States.  Documents need to be presented no later than the third day of employment.  Failure to do so will result in loss of employment at the university.

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E-Verify:

The University of Texas at Austin use E-Verify to check the work authorization of all new hires effective May 2015. The university’s company ID number for purposes of E-Verify is 854197. For more information about E-Verify, please see the following:

E-Verify Poster (English) [PDF]E-Verify Poster (Spanish) [PDF]Right To Work Poster (English) [PDF]Right To Work Poster (Spanish) [PDF]

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Compliance:

Employees may be required to report violations of law under Title IX and the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Crime Statistics Act (Clery Act). If this position is identified a Campus Security Authority (Clery Act), you will be notified and provided resources for reporting. Responsible employees under Title IX are defined and outlined in HOP-3031.

The Clery Act requires all prospective employees be notified of the availability of the Annual Security and Fire Safety report. You may access the most recent report here or obtain a copy at University Compliance Services, 1616 Guadalupe Street, UTA 2.206, Austin, Texas 78701.