Chief Engineer, RFCML Metrology

Chief Engineer, RFCML Metrology

Posting Number

req21476

Department

Steward Observatory

Department Website Link

http : / / astro.arizona.edu

Location

Main Campus

Address

Tucson, AZ USA

Position Highlights

This position serves as the subject matter expert in the different methods for evaluating the surface figures of the largest monolithic telescope mirrors in the world as large as 8.4 meters (28 feet) in diameter; and leads a team of three optical engineers. The incumbent advises principal investigators, college administrators, and potential sponsors on what is possible in the surface figure evaluations for mirrors costing tens of millions of dollars and, after implementation, serves as the authority verifying the fidelity of the complementary evaluations for all stakeholders. This position designs and leads interdisciplinary teams of engineers to implement complementary optical / infra-red light tests to match sponsors' requirements and to match the developmental state of the mirrors during production. This position also calculates the surface figure aberrations caused by deviations from the ideal force and temperature distributions and investigates discrepancies in results between tests outside their modeled error distributions.

Outstanding UA benefits include health, dental, and vision insurance plans; life insurance and disability programs; paid vacation, sick leave, and holidays; UA / ASU / NAU tuition reduction for the employee and qualified family members; retirement plans; access to UA recreation and cultural activities; and more!

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Duties & Responsibilities

• Implements a surface figure evaluation strategy for mirrors during production and according to sponsors' requirements. For example, for one prescription of off-axis 8.4 meter diameter mirrors, there are seven different tests depending on the state of production and to allow enough testing redundancy to provide confidence the mirrors' surface figure where deviations are within ~1 / 30th of a wavelength of green light, on average, of the required surface figure, and the process of designing and constructing the tests took several years. Implementation involves guiding the work of mechanical, electrical, and software engineers to design and install the equipment and supervising the work of three optical / metrology engineers to perform the surface figure evaluations.
• Writes, or approves the writing of, procedures for evaluating the efficacy of the metrology systems for conducting the surface figure evaluations. As subject matter expert, writes reports describing the expected performance of systems under design, as well as the demonstrated capabilities of the metrology systems, their limitations, and the methods those limitations were calculated. Writes, or approves the writing of, complex data analysis code using MATLAB and Zemax to process the data gathered, and to display the results in a way that others can recognize and use for continued production. Writes, or approves the writing of, and implements MATLAB code to predict the surface figure effect of force array and temperature deviations from ideal. Writes, or approves the writing of, and implements MATLAB code to guide the automated control of hexapods that precisely position the elements of the surface figure evaluations.
• Designs the surface figure evaluation strategy for mirrors during production and according to sponsors' requirements. Designs complementary surface figure evaluation tests according to the phase of mirror production and the tests' sensitivities. Models the Zemax light ray traces to ensure the light sources, lenses, test optic (mirror in fabrication), cameras, detectors, and other metrology equipment are positioned within exacting tolerance. Performs error analyses in order to specify positioning requirements to the mechanical, electrical, and software engineers designing system components. Factors in environmental effects during tolerancing. Advises principal investigators, college administrators, and sponsors on the limits of surface figure evaluations and develops novel, state-of-the-art solutions when sponsor requirements make it necessary.
• Supervises the three optical and metrology engineers who assist in design of tests and who perform the tests in the lab and across all areas of Steward Observatory. Provides technical expertise and advice when they encounter the novel situations typically encountered during the research activities that they support. Troubleshoots metrology system anomalies and leads cross-functional teams to discover and implement solutions.
• Guides technicians in installing and testing the mirror support actuators in polishing cells that support the mirrors during fine grinding and polishing and the thermal sensing system used in the conduct of surface figure tests. Confirms the work of mechanical engineers performing the finite element analyses that identify the ideal force arrays for mirror support, then works with the technicians to ensure the force arrays provided by the installed actuators are within the tolerance necessary. Works with the technicians to ensure the temperature distributions are being measured accurately.

Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities :

Minimum Qualifications

Preferred Qualifications

FLSA

Exempt

Full Time / Part Time

Full Time

Number of Hours Worked per Week

40

Job FTE

1.0

Work Calendar

Fiscal

Job Category

Research

Benefits Eligible

Yes - Full Benefits

Rate of Pay

$139,102 - $180,833

Compensation Type

salary at 1.0 full-time equivalency (FTE)

Grade

14

Compensation Guidance

The Rate of Pay Field represents the University of Arizona's good faith and reasonable estimate of the range of possible compensation at the time of posting. The University considers several factors when extending an offer, including but not limited to, the role and associated responsibilities, a candidate's work experience, education / training, key skills, and internal equity.

The Grade Range Minimum, Midpoint, and Maximum Fields listed below represent a full range of career compensation growth over time in this position and grade. Each unit typically sets starting pay between minimum and midpoint upon hire. The university offers compensation growth opportunities within its career architecture. To learn more about compensation, please review our Applicant Compensation Guide and our Total Rewards Calculator.

Grade Range Minimum

$139102

Grade Range Midpoint

$180833

Grade Range Maximum

$222564

Career Stream and Level

PC5

Job Family

Research Engineering

Job Function

Research

Type of criminal background check required :

Name-based criminal background check (non-security sensitive)

Number of Vacancies

Target Hire Date

2 / 17 / 2025

Expected End Date

Contact Information for Candidates

so-humanresources@list.arizona.edu

Open Date

12 / 19 / 2024

Open Until Filled

Yes

Documents Needed to Apply

Resume and Cover Letter

Special Instructions to Applicant

Notice of Availability of the Annual Security and Fire Safety Report

In compliance with the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act (Clery Act), each year the University of Arizona releases an Annual Security Report (ASR) for each of the University's campuses.Thesereports disclose information including Clery crime statistics for the previous three calendar years and policies, procedures, and programs the University uses to keep students and employees safe, including how to report crimes or other emergencies and resources for crime victims. As a campus with residential housing facilities, the Main Campus ASR also includes a combined Annual Fire Safety report with information on fire statistics and fire safety systems, policies, and procedures.

Paper copies of the Reports can be obtained by contacting the University Compliance Office at cleryact@arizona.edu.

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