Optomechanical Engineering Associate, Observing Support

Job Posting Title :

Optomechanical Engineering Associate, Observing Support

Hiring Department : McDonald Observatory

Position Open To : All Applicants

Weekly Scheduled Hours :

40

FLSA Status : Exempt

Earliest Start Date :

Immediately

Position Duration : Expected to Continue

Location : MCDONALD OBSERVATORY

Job Details : General Notes

The McDonald Observatory is an astronomical observatory located 16 miles from Fort Davis, Texas, which is 440 miles away from the UT Austin campus. Position may be considered an essential employee for emergency or critical response. Residence in the Observatory's residential community is preferred. Hours include occasional weekends, evenings, and holidays.

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

The Optomechanical Engineering Associate provides hands-on mechanical and technical support for all McDonald Observatory and tenant telescope facilities. This includes performing instrument changes, setting up instruments, cleaning optical surfaces, re-coating astronomical optics, and assisting with design and machining. This position is part of the Observing Support (OS) team and reports to the OS Manager.

Responsibilities

Facility and Instrumentation Support. Performs maintenance and repairs on McDonald Observatory's astronomical instruments, including the 107-inch Harlen J. Smith Telescope (HJST), the historic Otto Struve Telescope, and the 30- and 36-inch facilities. Assists with upgrades, modifications, as well as design and machining as directed.

Tenant Support. Performs maintenance and repairs on the tenant facilities that are supported by McDonald Observatory.

Operations Support. Assists in general operations tasks, including instrument changes, optical cleaning, optical recoating, and telescope assembly. Provides technical support for observing, including reviewing night logs for problems, refilling cryogens, and changing filters, among other tasks. May lead operations support efforts and supervises the 107-inch machine shop.

Documentation. Assists in quality control checks and upgrades to the Operation & Maintenance (O&M) Manuals for the optical and mechanical systems in coordination with management.

Performs other related duties as assigned. Drive a UT vehicle.

Required Qualifications

Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Optical Engineering / Sciences, or a related field.

A minimum of two years of experience in an optical lab or other precision research environment.

Experience with precision equipment used in research programs.

Familiarity with optical coating procedures.

Ability to organize and prioritize work, to meet deadlines and expectations.

Self-driven individual with keen technical ability, systematic and detail-oriented approach.

Positive attitude, strong work ethic, and strong team player.

Excellent interpersonal, oral, and written communication skills.

Ability to communicate with a variety of audiences, including science users, engineers, educators, nighttime staff, and administrative staff.

Proficient computer skills such as Microsoft Office 365, specifically Excel.

Experience with project management tracking software such as Jira.

Desire and ability to learn new skills or methods.

Competencies include accuracy and attention to detail, decision-making and critical thinking, effective communications, initiative, interpersonal relationships, problem-solving, and service excellence.

An equivalent combination of relevant education and experience may be substituted as appropriate.

Preferred Qualifications

Welding and metal fabrication skills.

Proven ability to design experiments, conduct tests, and gather and interpret data for troubleshooting optomechanical component or system failures.

Understanding of system-level interactions between optics, electronics, software, and mechanical parts to enable effective problem-solving at the system level down to the individual part level.

Demonstrated ability to design effective, robust mechanical and / or optical systems with a strong emphasis on clear and comprehensive technical documentation.

Experience with CAD and coding.

Familiarity with astronomical instrumentation.

Familiarity with optical and / or near-IR detectors.

Experience in one or more of the following areas : care of optics, optical alignments, stray light analysis and control, optical mountings, and optical coatings, including thin films.

Driving Required

This job requires a class "C" operator's driver's license. The applicant selected must provide a current three year driving record from the current state of residence. If not currently a Texas resident, a Texas driver's license must be obtained within 30 days of becoming a Texas resident.

Salary Range

$58,000 + depending on qualifications and experience

Working Conditions

Position is located at the McDonald Observatory, Fort Davis, Texas. If you do not live in the surrounding areas, you will need to relocate.

May work in all weather conditions and extreme temperatures. The McDonald Observatory is located at approximately 6900 ft. above sea level. Environmental conditions can be unpredictable, with temperatures ranging from -10F to +95F. Inclement winter weather can be expected, which requires comfortable driving in wintry conditions on mountain grades.

Climbing ladders, free climbing on / around heavy equipment

Working in / from man-lifts and scissor lifts

Heavy lifting (must be able to lift 35 lbs.).

Working with hazardous chemicals and cryogenic liquids

Working with heavy machinery

Working at a computer

Use of approved safety equipment is required; may be required to undergo respirator fit testing

Work Shift

Monday - Friday, generally 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Occasional work hours outside of the standard schedule.

Working at night, on weekends, and on holidays may be required.

Required Materials

Letter of Interest

Resume / CV

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

Important for applicants who are NOT current university employees or contingent workers : You will be prompted to submit your resume the first time you apply, then you will be provided an option to upload a new Resume for subsequent applications. Any additional Required Materials (letter of interest, references, etc.) will be uploaded in the Application Questions section; you can multi-select additional files. Before submitting your online job application, ensure thatALLRequired Materials have been uploaded. Once your job application has been submitted, you cannot make changes.

Important for current university employees and contingent workers : As a current university employee or contingent worker, you MUST apply within Workday by searching for Find UT Jobs. If you are a current University employee, 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 before you apply. This information will be pulled into your application. The application is one page, and you will be prompted to upload your resume. In addition, you must respond to the application questionspresented to upload any additional Required Materials (letter of interest, references, etc.) noted above.

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.

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.

Background Checks :

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

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.

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.

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.

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 and Spanish) [PDF]
• Right to Work Poster (English) [PDF]
• Right to Work Poster (Spanish) [PDF]

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.