Opto-Mechanical Engineer

The Giant Magellan Telescope is the most powerful ground-based telescope ever engineered. It was designed to push the boundaries of human knowledge and discover the unknown. With unmatched image quality, seven of the world’s largest mirrors will launch our view into the universe to uncover the cosmic mysteries of dark matter, investigate the origins of chemical elements, and search for signs of life on distant exoplanets for the first time.

The 30-meter class telescope is under construction at Las Campanas Observatory in Chile’s Atacama Desert, one of the best locations on Earth to view the heavens. From this unrivaled vantage into the southern sky, the Giant Magellan Telescope will produce the sharpest and most detailed images ever taken of our universe, ten times greater than the famed Hubble Space Telescope and four times the James Webb Space Telescope.

When complete in the late 2020s, the Giant Magellan Telescope will be the largest public-private funded science project in history. The endeavor was founded by an international consortium of leading universities and research institutions representing five countries, and is managed by the GMTO Corporation, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization based in Pasadena, California. Our culture is impactful, inclusive, and fearlessly innovative. We solve the most difficult engineering challenges and scientific questions with talented individuals who share a passion for revolutionizing humanity’s knowledge of the universe.

We invite you to join our team and leave your mark on astronomy’s future and beyond.

The Universe Awaits.

The GMT project is seeking an experienced Opto-Mechanical Engineer to design, analyze, integrate, and test opto-mechanical components of the GMT active and adaptive optics systems.  These include wavefront sensors, laser systems, metrology systems, optical calibration sources, mounting structures for small and large optics (up to 1.8 m diameter), and atmospheric characterization equipment.

The Opto-Mechanical Engineer will assist in procurement of subsystems and parts through communication with external contractors and periodic visits to their facilities. They will play a key role in the integration and testing of the delivered subsystems, both in the laboratory and at the telescope in Chile.  They may also be called upon to write technical reports and make presentations of designs at project review and conferences.

• Develop conceptual, preliminary, and final designs of wavefront sensors and metrology systems
• Analyze the structural performance of opto-mechanical designs
• Develop assembly/disassembly, operation, maintenance, and trouble-shooting procedures
• Participate in the procurement process for engineering services and fabrication of these systems, including identification of potential vendors/suppliers, preparation of technical specifications, participation in the selection process, and monitoring of work
• Lead a small team to integrate, align, and test both small and large opto-mechanical subsystems
• Prepare and deliver presentations at technical reviews

• A minimum of an MS degree in Mechanical Engineering or an equivalent technical discipline
• A minimum of 3 years of experience in the design of complex opto-mechanical systems
• Experience using structural analysis techniques to optimize opto-mechanical designs
• Demonstrated skill using SolidWorks CAD software
• Outstanding written and verbal communication skills
• Be a cooperative team player who strives to make the team(s) successful

• Experience in the design of astronomical instruments or other large scientific optical systems
• Familiarity with precision metrology systems and optical alignment tools
• Knowledge of optics fabrication and testing methods
• Experience with optical system integration and testing

• Medical insurance
• Vision insurance
• Dental insurance
• Disability insurance
• 401(k)

To apply send your resume and a cover letter to careers@giantmagellan.org.

If your skills and experience are a match for the position or if we need additional information, we will contact you. If we do not see a suitable match between your qualifications and the position, we will keep your information on file in the event future positions become available that are more suitable to your qualifications.

The GMTO Corporation is an equal employment opportunity employer.