Canada-France-Hawaii Telescope (CFHT) has an immediate opening for a Mechanical Technician at our observatory facility on the summit of Maunakea on Hawaiʻi Island. We are looking for a motivated, hands-on individual with foundational mechanical skills and a willingness to learn. This is a great opportunity for someone early in their mechanical career who is eager to grow their skills in a truly unique and inspiring environment.

CFHT offers a competitive salary commensurate with experience, and a generous benefit package that includes medical/dental insurance, 21 days paid vacation, family medical/parental leave, a defined-contribution retirement plan, and tuition support for dependent minors.

About CFHT

CFHT operates a world-class astronomical observatory at the summit of Maunakea - one of the premier astronomical sites on Earth. Our summit team plays a vital hands-on role in keeping the telescope and its supporting systems running night after night, directly enabling cutting-edge scientific discoveries by researchers around the world. If you're someone who takes pride in your work, enjoys solving mechanical challenges, and wants to be part of something truly extraordinary - we'd love to hear from you.

Main Responsibilities & Core Duties

Your essential set of duties will be to:

• Perform and document preventive maintenance on hydraulic, diesel fuel, glycol cooling, and pneumatic systems using manufacturer instructions and internal documentation.
• Perform preventive maintenance, troubleshooting, and repair of custom mechanical systems, such as the dome shutter and dome drive, as well as telescope structure and drive.
• Perform daily and weekly building checks and assist with snow removal as needed.
• Operate cranes and lifts for various activities such as instrument exchanges and mirror recoating.
• Participate in the design, fabrication, and implementation of mechanical upgrades to the observatory.
• Take the initiative to present ways to make things safer, better, easier, "cooler."
• Keep track of spares and consumables and initiate replacement as needed.
• Participate and engage in group meetings, safety discussions, and applicable design reviews.
• Maintain a clean and safe work environment.

Technical Skills & Expertise

To be successful in this position, you should have:

• High school degree or vocational training in mechanics, or equivalent knowledge and experience.
• Ability to read and understand written and electronic work orders.
• Ability to work effectively both as part of a team and independently.
• Ability to work on call at various hours, including nights, weekends, and holidays (occasionally).
• Ability to perform duties effectively and safely at the CFHT observatory site at an altitude of close to 14,000 feet, with low temperatures and low humidity.
• Ability to pass a high-altitude physical administered by a certified physician.
• Current driver's license and the ability to drive a four-wheel-drive vehicle on a partially unpaved mountain road during the day and at night.
• Willingness to work at heights in excess of 70 feet above the ground.

While this is primarily a mechanical technician position, experience in electric arc and gas welding is highly desirable. Experience in basic machining is also desirable.

Professional Expectations

In addition to your technical skills and abilities, it is expected that you will be:

• Of upstanding character: trustworthy, dependable, committed, and able to maintain confidentiality as needed.
• Highly motivated, of friendly demeanor, with a strong desire to be creative and have fun.
• Respectful of the diversity of the company - both in terms of people and opinions - the local community of which it is a part, and Maunakea, where the observatory is located.
• Willing, as needed, to provide on-call support during astronomical observations, which take place during the overnight hours every day of the year.
• Willing to participate in other projects and activities as assigned.

What You'll Learn

Ongoing professional development is key to being successful. If you are not already in possession of the following, we expect you will, over the course of your career at CFHT:

• Gain hands-on experience with hydraulic systems, air compressor systems, and glycol chillers.
• Gain hands-on experience working with machine tools.
• Gain hands-on experience with welding and other forms of fabrication.

Before Applying

If you've made it this far, we say 'mahalo' for your interest in working at CFHT! There are a couple of things we'd like you to know:

Remote Work Policy

CFHT offers partially-remote work options to qualified employees for some positions. However, the Mechanical Technician position, being focused on hands-on work at the observatory, is not eligible for remote work.

Observatory Location & Hiring Practices

CFHT is an Equal Opportunity Employer (EEO), and all qualified individuals are encouraged to apply. Federal law prohibits discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, gender identity, and sexual orientation), national origin, age, disability, or genetic information.

Multicultural Practices

CFHT is located on the island of Hawaiʻi (also known as 'The Big Island'), and our observatory is located on Maunakea. Maunakea is a place of deep cultural and spiritual significance to the Native Hawaiian people, and CFHT conducts all operations with the utmost respect for our historic and unique location. Because this role is based at the summit, employees in this position are present on Maunakea regularly and are expected to approach that privilege with genuine respect, cultural awareness, and a commitment to honoring the place and the people to whom it matters most.