About Carnegie Science Observatories

We are a world-class astronomical research organization headquartered in Pasadena, California, with scientific facilities at Las Campanas Observatory in Chile. Our engineering approach is based on close collaboration with the scientific and technical staff to promote a community of learning, innovation, and professional growth.

We are seeking a Engineer/Technician to join our Instrumentation Development Laboratory. We build state-of-the-art astronomical instruments for our telescopes at Las Campanas Observatory in Chile.

Carnegie encourages a healthy work-life balance, with work schedule flexibility and results-oriented performance evaluations.

Job Summary

You will work with our engineers, scientists, and machinists to design, build, test, and install scientific instrumentation at our Las Campanas Observatory in Chile. Besides the telescopes that Carnegie owns, we are partners with the Giant Magellan Telescope (under construction), also located at Las Campanas.

This position is based in Pasadena, CA.

Responsibilities

These include, but are not limited to:

• Assist in instrument assembly in the lab and installation at the telescopes
• Design small mechanical or electronic parts
• Manufacture parts on 3D printers/confer with machinists to build the parts
• Collect and analyze performance data
• Operate and monitor high-vacuum equipment
• Operate cryogenic equipment (including liquid nitrogen)
• Use metrology equipment such as measuring arms, CMM, and OptiCentric
• Perform design studies, component research, and cost estimates
• Handle repairs of commercial laboratory equipment
• Manage laboratory organization (test equipment, parts organization)

We will help you develop skills if needed.

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering, physics, astronomy, or a related field, OR
• High school diploma or equivalent with 3+ years of experience at an observatory or similar environment

Required Skills and Abilities

• Excellent written and oral communication skills in English
• Manual dexterity and visual skills for precision instrument assembly
• Ability to write concise technical reports, testing plans, and other documents
• Hand and power tool proficiency
• Ability to work well with multidisciplinary, diverse, multicultural teams
• Ability to work independently with minimal supervision
• Ability to travel domestically and internationally, typically a few days to two weeks

Desirable Qualifications and Experience

• Experience in a university laboratory, observatory, or similar environment
• Opto-mechanical assembly experience (lens and mirror mounting) 
• Experience assembling and working with high-precision mechanisms
• Knowledge of manufacturing processes and materials
• Experience with machine shop practices
• Using CMM and OptiCentric equipment, writing quality acceptance reports
• Rigging practice and safety; crane operation
• Solid modeling, GD&T, and FEA software expertise (we use SolidWorks)
• Experience working in a SolidWorks PDM environment
• Electronic circuit design (we use Altium); surface-mount board assembly, and electronics chassis layout
• Interest in expanding your knowledge of the theory and practice of astronomy instrumentation, including optics, vacuum systems, mechanical mechanisms, electronics, logistics, and more

Physical Demands and Working Conditions

• Work in office and laboratory environments, sitting for extended periods
• Frequent use of hands for data entry, tools, simple grasping, and lifting
• Stair and step ladder climbing
• Air travel, with typical destination stays of a few days to 2 weeks
• Ability to work at 8000 feet
• Manual dexterity and visual skills for precision instrument assembly
• Hand and power tool proficiency
• Moderate noise level
• Hard hat areas with overhead crane operations
• Occasional exposure to outdoor weather
• Occasional exposure to cleaning solvents, adhesives, solder fumes

Application Instructions

Only online applications submitted via company job website will be considered: https://apply.interfolio.com/167224

Applications submitted before May 30, 2025 will receive first consideration. Application acceptance will continue until the position is filled. No phone calls, please.