Mechanical Engineer at Apache Point Observatory

APACHE POINT OBSERVATORY 3.5m Mechanical Engineer (ME). New Mexico State University is seeking a mechanical engineer for the ARC 3.5m telescope at Apache Point Observatory (APO) in Sunspot, New Mexico. The ME is responsible for the mechanical and opto-mechanical portions of the ARC 3.5m telescope, instrumentation, and contributes as a member of the 3.5m engineering team. Daily engineering support of the telescope and instrument operations, maintenance, and repairs. Lead and perform summer engineering activities and preventative maintenance of mechanical equipment, optics, and instrumentation. Identify engineering upgrades and improvements, including CAD design and modeling, and coordinate with manufacturing or machinists. Supervise other engineering staff to maintain and improve facilities. Document and archive all mechanical, optical, and electronic models, drawings, and assemblies, create procedures, participate in design reviews, contribute to outlining engineering tasks and schedules, participate in meetings, and regularly report to the engineering team lead and the Director of Operations. APO is located in the Lincoln National Forest, 16 miles from the village of Cloudcroft, NM. The observatory sits on a ridge overlooking White Sands National Park, White Sands Missile Test Range, and Alamogordo, NM. At APO, employees have the opportunity to lead or participate in telescope research, receive tuition waivers to take classes at NMSU, or attend/present at conferences for professional development.

RESPONSIBILITIES. The Mechanical Engineer is responsible for the 3.5m telescope and instruments, maintaining mechanical systems to minimize operational downtime, tracking system performance, designing, documenting, and planning upgrades. The ME works closely with other technical staff, Telescope Operation Specialists, and Support Astronomers, with feedback from researchers using the telescope, to troubleshoot and debug issues. The selected candidate will assist in the day-to-day preparations and operational support to ready the observatory for night operations while striving to minimize downtime. Monitoring the performance of equipment and effectively communicating any problems with the engineering team lead and the Director of Operations.

EXPERIENCE AND EDUCATION. Candidates should have a minimum Associate’s degree +4 years of relevance experience or a Bachelor’s degree +2 years of relevant experience. Desired experience includes: Prior experience maintaining or operating research telescopes and astronomical instrumentation. Experience working with small to medium (0.5m to 3.5m) telescope mirrors and the associated mechanical, electrical and computer systems. Knowledge of MS Windows/Unix/Linux; Experience with computer-aided design (CAD), computer-aided manufacturing (CAM) or Finite Element Analysis software is desirable. Candidate must have a valid driving license.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS. Must possess sufficient mobility, strength, or dexterity in both arms and hands and both legs to 1) reach upward, sideways, and downward; 2) sufficient mobility and dexterity to utilize computer systems, fax machines, copiers, and other office machines. Requires handling of average-weight objects up to 25 pounds or standing and/or walking for more than four (4) hours per day.

Must possess – 1) ability to read and understand instructions, drawings, safety guides, and other written materials necessary to perform job; 2) sufficient visual capacity to perform the applicable functions without assistance of visual aids other than eye contacts or eye glasses; 3) sufficient spoken aural capacity to hear and understand instructions, warning bells, horns or shouted instructions without assistance of auditory aids other than a hearing aid; and 4) ability to impart information orally so that others understand and can respond appropriately.

Must be able – 1) to sit for long periods of time; 2) to drive on snow/ice-covered roads and possess a clean driving record; 3) to climb stairs and maneuver heavy instruments on carts at 9100 feet elevation; 4) work environment involves some exposure to hazards or physical risk, which requires following basic safety precautions.