Career Opportunities with Gemini Observatory
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At Gemini we seek individuals who are deeply committed and dedicated to exploring the universe and sharing its wonders. Our success stems from our globally diverse team in Hawaii and Chile, combined with the strong foundation provided by our international partners. You will find a challenging environment with innovative people, operating in a supportive culture that fosters collaboration and teamwork.
Openings
| Engineering | Senior Optical Engineer Systems Engineer |
| Instrumentation | Adaptive Optics Scientist Project Planner / Analyst |
Engineering
Senior Optical Engineer
- Location: La Serena, Chile
- Deadline for Application:
- Job Code: OPE357P
Gemini Observatory is seeking a Senior Optical Engineer for its engineering operations based in La Serena, Chile. The Sr. Optical Engineer leads the Gemini South optical systems group to support a range of systems including optical components, from telescope to instrumentation. Engineering activities will include design, procurement, integration, testing, commissioning, and maintenance of equipment.
The Optical Systems Group’s primary responsibilities are the proper performance of telescope active optics, image quality monitoring and improvements, optical coatings and their maintenance. The group’s secondary responsibility focuses on providing support to miscellaneous observatory projects like procurement of new optics, acceptance and maintenance of instrumentation, and the adaptive optics program.
The Senior Optical Engineer will also work with Gemini’s technical, engineering, and science staff, as well as the teams building instrumentation for Gemini, to help guide their design, fabrication, testing, and use on the telescopes. He/she will be responsible for the proper design, installation, alignment, and maintenance of optical subsystems and components; will prepare documentation, schedules, and maintenance procedures. Also participates in design reviews and provides direction for Assistant Optical Engineers and technicians.
Job Requirements:
• Bachelor’s or advanced degree in physics, optics, engineering, or related physical sciences.
• Minimum of 5 years experience in Optics. Prior experience with Zemax, laser optics and/or adaptive optics systems is highly desirable. Related background in Systems Engineering is also desirable.
• Must possess a demonstrated ability to learn new systems quickly.
• Must have knowledge of optical design techniques, optical alignment, testing, and cleaning methods, and adaptive optics fundamentals.
• Must have a good driving record and be able to drive 4-wheel drive vehicles. Must take and pass a high altitude physical and must be able to work at 14,000 feet elevation. .
• Must be fluent in English, and some proficiency in Spanish is desirable.
To send current resume with cover letter relating your experience, education and background to the needs of the position, along with the names and contact information of three individuals familiar with your work, credentials and qualifications from whom a reference may be obtained, please click on the Apply On Line link on this page.
Systems Engineer
- Location: La Serena, Chile
- Deadline for Application: Until filled.
- Job Code: ENG105P
We have an immediate opening for an experienced Systems Engineer for our base facility in La Serena, Chile. The successful candidate will join the Systems Engineering team that supports the operation of our 8 meter telescope in Cerro Pachon, Chile. This involves proper systems monitoring, configuration control integrity, modeling, constant initiatives towards improvement of efficiency and performance of all systems.
The role of the Systems Engineer is to assist the Science and Engineering groups in solving operational issues related to telescope and instruments operations, as well as provide systems engineering and project management support for new projects and maintenance activities.
Candidates should have experience developing, implementing and maintaining systems and systems controls in order to maximize the efficiency of telescope and instrument operations, while improving the reliability and up time of such systems. In addition, the successful candidate should also have experience in systems documentation and archiving tasks, including the supervision of systems technicians in charge of such archiving systems.
Education Required:
- BS degree or advanced degree in an Engineering or Science discipline, with courses in systems engineering, industrial engineering, electronics engineering, physics, mathematics, astronomy and other related fields.
- 4- 5 years related experience.
- Equivalent combination of education and experience.
Desirable skills or qualifications:
- Must have a good driving record and be able to drive 4-wheel drive vehicles.
- Must take and pass a high altitude physical to be able to work at 4300-meter (14,000 feet) elevation.
- Must be fluent in English and Spanish.
- Must be able to quickly develop complex systems understanding with minimum of information and documentation.
- Able to work and make decisions under pressure.
- Excellent safety awareness.
- Must be able to document procedures and processes.
- Excellent planning skills.
- Must have a good attitude towards others.
Other abilities and skills required for this position are:
Must be able to work effectively and efficiently at 14000 feet.
Able to travel abroad to support Gemini North operations in Hawaii.
Must be flexible to work weekends and holidays as needed.
Instrumentation
Adaptive Optics Scientist
- Location: La Serena, Chile
- Deadline for Application:
- Job Code: DEV304P
Gemini Observatory is seeking an Adaptive Optics Scientist to participate in the development of technologies and techniques for Adaptive Optics (AO) at the Gemini Observatory, and in particular support the commissioning and performance optimization of the Gemini South MCAO system for astronomical science usage, and also to lead the modeling studies for the Gemini North GLAO project. This is a Assistant Scientist position within the Development Group at Gemini for a fixed period of three years.
Duties and Responsibilities:
1. Lead specific tasks related to design, test plans, calibrations and optimizations of AO systems.
2. Create error budgets and follow AO development activities to track performance and ensure they meet specifications.
3. Participate in the instrument upgrades definitions and project management by providing insight on work packages related to AO.
4. Support initial phases of scientific operations of AO instruments and design performance metrics monitoring.
5. Provide both training and support to astronomers using the AO systems.
6. Resolve a variety of technical problems in the AO development and instrumentation program.
7. Chair, participate in and prepare for reviews and/or meetings when required.
8. Participate in science and engineering meetings and conferences to promote development activities and results in the field of AO.
9. Conduct original scientific research in or related to the field of AO.
Job Specifications:
- Must have an understanding of a broad range of astronomy science issues and terminology.
- Travel is required in order to interact with Gemini’s instrument teams.
- Requires flexibility and adaptability to work in a fluid environment.
- Ability to create clear and deliver meaningful presentations.
- Must possess some management and leadership abilities.
- Up to 20% of the time can be dedicated to personal research and development in the AO field, either in technologies or science (astronomical) observations.
NOTE:
With GeMS and GPI being commissioned in 2012 at Gemini South, the initial location for this position will be in Chile. Relocation to Gemini North in Hawaii may be possible later in 2013, when the GLAO activities will be starting.
To send current resume with cover letter relating your experience, education and background to the needs of the position, along with the names and contact information of three individuals familiar with your work, credentials and qualifications from whom a reference may be obtained, please click on the Apply On Line link on this page.
Project Planner / Analyst
- Location: Hilo, Hawaii or La Serena, Chile
- Deadline for Application:
- Job Code: INS205P
We have an immediate opening for a Project Planner and Analyst for either one of our facilities in Hilo, Hawaii or La Serena, Chile. The Project Planner works in the Project Management Office to assist with project plan setup, maintain plans for active projects, track project progress, evaluate resource allocation, and support prioritization of project plans as per the Observatory’s strategy with the guidance of the Planning Control Board. This is a key position to implement the long-term structure required for the management of the new generation of instrumentation.
Duties and Responsibilities:
1. Provide support to the Project Managers in planning, managing, and monitoring projects from concepts through implementation.
2. Update and maintain schedule data to ensure project consistency and optimization.
3. Create baselines and perform project progress monitoring duties including identifying critical activities and reviewing forecasts with progress achieved to date.
4. Create formal project status reports for project managers and update key performance indicators.
5. Support preparation of internal and external reports by gathering, analyzing and summarizing data and information from the projects.
6. Develop, design and establish reporting standards for the Observatory.
7. Support the use/integration of project management systems into the regular operation of the Observatory.
8. Support the yearly Observatory planning, in particular by assisting project leads in setting up their project plans, and support the monthly resource leveling processes.
9. Recognize and understand competing business requirements and make recommendations for the overall good of the project teams.
10. Assist the Project Managers with evaluating schedule impacts arising from sourcing decisions.
11. Ensure contractors’ schedules are properly loaded to complete projects on time.
12. Alert Project Managers and Planning Control Board when established project deadlines are slipping.
13. Facilitate the resolution of project prioritization processes.
14. Create and maintain specific minor project plans when needed.
Job Specifications:
1. Must have had significant exposure to cost engineering and planning.
2. Experience in scientific or engineering operations preferred.
3. Generally a combination of at least 3 or more years of project management and/or specific technical experience with designs, processes, or business practices.
4. Demonstrated ability to work with multiple stakeholders and prioritize requests.
5. Good organizational skills.
6. Formal project management training required.
7. Basic knowledge of engineering and fabrication processes, science instrumentation project experience desirable.
8. Demonstrated history in effectively managing self to deadlines.
9. Demonstration of good written and oral communication skills.
10. Demonstrated aptitude to learn complex manufacturing designs, processes, and systems.
11. Demonstrated ability to provide effective project leadership in terms of setting project plans and expectations and then having both self and team members execute to the plan.
12. Sound written and oral communication skills.
13. Good interpersonal skills.
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Working at Gemini
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