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Mechanical Engineer (Opto-Mechanical), (IS-0830-13)
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Description
OPENING DATE: October 31, 2025
CLOSING DATE: November 5, 2025
TYPE OF POSITION: Trust Indefinite (Non-Federal)
DIVISION: Central Engineering
LOCATION: Cambridge, MA
AREA OF CONSIDERATION: Open to all current Smithsonian employees
What are Trust Fund Positions?
Trust Fund positions are unique to the Smithsonian. They are paid for from a variety of sources, including the Smithsonian endowment, revenue from our business activities, donations, grants and contracts. Trust employees are not part of the civil service, nor does trust fund employment lead to Federal status. The salary ranges for trust positions are generally the same as for federal positions and in many cases trust and federal employees work side by side. Trust employees have their own benefit program, which may include Health, Dental & Vision Insurance, Life Insurance, Transit/Commuter Benefits, Accidental Death and Dismemberment Insurance, Annual and Sick Leave, Family Friendly Leave, 403b Retirement Plan, Discounts for Smithsonian Memberships, Museum Stores and Restaurants, Credit Union, Flexible Spending Account (Health & Dependent Care).
Conditions of Employment
- Pass Pre-employment Background Check and Subsequent Background Investigation, as required.
- Complete a Probationary Period if applicable.
- Maintain a Bank Account for Direct Deposit/Electronic Transfer.
- Applicants must meet all qualification and eligibility requirements within 30 days of the closing date of this announcement.
- Occasional national and international travel may be required in support of duties.
OVERVIEW
INTRODUCTION
The Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory (SAO) is at the forefront, internationally, of the scientific exploration of the universe. SAO combines its resources with those of the Harvard College Observatory to form the Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics (CfA). The CfA is the best-known astrophysics center in the world. Its programs range from ground-based astronomy and astrophysics research to space-based research, the engineering and development of major scientific instrumentation for space launch and use in large ground-based facilities, and research designed to improve science education. The research objectives of SAO are carried out primarily with the support of Government and Smithsonian Institution funds, with additional philanthropic support. Government funds are in the form of Federal appropriations or contracts and grants from other agencies. In contrast, Institution funds are available to SAO through grants from the Institution's Restricted Funds, Special Purpose Funds, Bureau Activities, Business Activities, and non-Federal contracts and grants.
SUMMARY
This is the position of Opto-mechanical Engineer, Central Engineering Department, Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory. The purpose of the position is to support the scientific investigations of the Observatory by providing opto-mechanical engineering expertise to the development of ground, balloon, airplane, or space-based astrophysical data collection instrumentation and associated support and test equipment. The incumbent may be required to support multiple projects simultaneously.
MAJOR DUTIES
1. Design: Provides design engineering support to the opto-mechanical aspects of astrophysical instrumentation and associated test and support equipment, from concept development through final design. This includes items such as optics (mirrors and lenses), optical mounting structures, alignment hardware (both instrument and support equipment), telescope structures, calibration systems and other items as needed. Is fluent in the use of CAD software for mechanical design. Prepares drawings of optical and mechanical parts and assemblies. Is responsible for specific design tasks under the direction of the project engineer, lead mechanical engineer and principal investigator.
2. Analysis and Error Budgeting: Under the direction of the project engineer and principal investigator, uses optical design and modeling software such as Zemax, Sigfit and FRED to conduct analyses of the performance of the optical system. These analyses include image quality, throughput, stray light, and mechanical interactions which impact optical system performance. Develops error budgets for performance aspects of the optical system, including image quality and throughput. Helps to performs optimization of the optical designs to balance cost, schedule and performance.
3. Procurement and Fabrication: Supports, in conjunction with other program staff, the procurement and fabrication process for opto-mechanical items such as lenses, mirrors, mounts and electro-optical components. Conducts vendor surveys and prepares procurement specifications for selected components. Participates in vendor selection process. As directed, acts as the vendor point of contact for optical elements. As directed, oversees opto-mechanical fabrication at specified outside vendors to assure that fabricated parts are consistent with the design. Supports Product Assurance in performing incoming and in-process inspection and in assessing compliance to requirements.
4. Assembly, Integration and Test: Supports assembly, integration and testing of the optical elements of instrumentation projects. Conducts testing of optics and optical assemblies using CE interferometers. Under direction of the project engineer, performs assembly and end-to-end optical alignment of optical systems. Supports integration of instrumentation in the field.
5. Leadership: Serves as opto-mechanical task lead as assigned. Prepares opto-mechanical sections of project reports. As assigned, presents opto-mechanical sections of program reviews such as the preliminary and final design reviews.
6. Documentation: Documents work performed through regular technical reports and memoranda. Participates with other engineering and scientific staff in evaluating aspects of new instrument concepts, writing proposals, and performing trade-off analyses in support of future instrument development.
7. Travel: Travels as required in support of above duties.
8. Other: Performs other duties related to the position as assigned by supervisor and/or Central Engineering manager.
QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS
Basic Requirements:
A) Degree: professional engineering. To be acceptable, the curriculum must:
(1) be in a school of engineering with at least one curriculum accredited by the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET) as a professional engineering curriculum; or
(2) include differential and integral calculus and courses (more advanced than first-year physics and chemistry) in five of the following seven areas of engineering science or physics: (a) statics, dynamics; (b) strength of materials (stress-strain relationships); (c) fluid mechanics, hydraulics; (d) thermodynamics; (e) electrical fields and circuits; (f) nature and properties of materials (relating particle and aggregate structure to properties); and (g) any other comparable area of fundamental engineering science or physics, such as optics, heat transfer, soil mechanics, or electronics.
OR
(B) Combination of education and experience-college-level education, training, and/or technical experience that furnished (1) a thorough knowledge of the physical and mathematical sciences underlying professional engineering, and (2) a good understanding, both theoretical and practical, of the engineering sciences and techniques and their applications to one of the branches of engineering.
(2) include differential and integral calculus and courses (more advanced than first-year physics and chemistry) in five of the following seven areas of engineering science or physics: (a) statics, dynamics; (b) strength of materials (stress-strain relationships); (c) fluid mechanics, hydraulics; (d) thermodynamics; (e) electrical fields and circuits; (f) nature and properties of materials (relating particle and aggregate structure to properties); and (g) any other comparable area of fundamental engineering science or physics, such as optics, heat transfer, soil mechanics, or electronics.
OR
(B) Combination of education and experience-college-level education, training, and/or technical experience that furnished (1) a thorough knowledge of the physical and mathematical sciences underlying professional engineering, and (2) a good understanding, both theoretical and practical, of the engineering sciences and techniques and their applications to one of the branches of engineering.
Additional Requirements: Candidates must possess at least one year of specialized experience at or above the grade 12 level in similar positions.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities required:
- Professional knowledge of the advanced concepts, principles, and practices of opto-mechanical engineering, enabling the incumbent to provide technical expertise to instrument development projects in areas such as hardware and opto-mechanical systems design, optical engineering analysis, proposal preparation, documentation, fabrication, alignment, and test.
- Specialized knowledge of the design of optical systems, telescope support structure assemblies, and optical calibration and alignment systems hardware, and expert knowledge of standard opto-mechanical fabrication practices and procedures.
- Expert knowledge of mechanical and opto-mechanical computer-aided design, modeling, and analysis systems, including their configuration management functions.
- The ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing, the ability to write clear, concise technical reports and/or memoranda documenting work efforts.
- The ability to provide effective technical direction to designers and technicians and to work both independently, in making a wide variety of technical decisions and recommendations, and as a member of a diverse team of engineering, scientific, technical, and management staff.
Education completed outside the United States must be deemed equivalent to higher education programs of U.S. Institutions by an organization that specializes in the interpretation of foreign educational credentials. This documentation is the responsibility of the applicant and should be included as part of your application package.
Any false statement in your application may result in rejection of your application and may also result in termination after employment begins.
The Smithsonian Institution values and seeks a diverse workforce. Join us in "Inspiring Generations through Knowledge and Discovery."
Resumes should include a description of your paid and non-paid work experience that is related to this job; starting and ending dates of job (month and year); and average number of hours worked per week.
What To Expect Next: Once the vacancy announcement closes, a review of your resume will be compared against the qualification and experience requirements related to this job. After review of applicant resumes is complete, qualified candidates will be referred to the hiring manager.
Relocation expenses are not paid.
Commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
The Smithsonian Institution provides reasonable accommodation to applicants with disabilities where appropriate. Applicants requiring reasonable accommodation should contact hr@cfa.harvard.edu. Determinations on requests for reasonable accommodation will be made on a case-by-case basis. To learn more, please review the Smithsonian’s Accommodation Procedures.
Commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
The Smithsonian Institution provides reasonable accommodation to applicants with disabilities where appropriate. Applicants requiring reasonable accommodation should contact hr@cfa.harvard.edu. Determinations on requests for reasonable accommodation will be made on a case-by-case basis. To learn more, please review the Smithsonian’s Accommodation Procedures.
The Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory is an equal opportunity employer committed to diversity in our workplace. Please visit the SAO website at http://www.cfa.harvard.edu/
About Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory
The Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory is joined by Harvard College Observatory to form the Center for Astrophysics | Harvard & Smithsonian. The Center is a collaboration between Harvard and Smithsonian designed to ask — and ultimately answer — humanity’s greatest unresolved questions about the nature of the universe. Founded in 1973, the Center for Astrophysics | Harvard & Smithsonian is an ongoing collaboration designed to foster innovation and propel discovery. Our mission is to advance knowledge of the Universe through research in astronomy and astrophysics and in related areas of fundamental physics and geophysics.
At the CfA, scientists in a broad range of disciplines study the universe at every scale, from every wavelength, and using telescopes and instruments that span and orbit the globe, all with a single purpose: making groundbreaking discoveries that advance human knowledge.
At the CfA, scientists in a broad range of disciplines study the universe at every scale, from every wavelength, and using telescopes and instruments that span and orbit the globe, all with a single purpose: making groundbreaking discoveries that advance human knowledge.
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