Project Systems Engineer (US-ELTP)

General Description of Position:

The Project Systems Engineer is responsible for leading systems engineering efforts in designing and developing a comprehensive suite of software systems to support open-access users of the ELTs.  This includes being responsible for establishing and maintaining the definition of all technical requirements and system-level interfaces, for specifying and managing the design process and configuration control, for identifying assessing analyzing, and tracking project risks and mitigations, for analyzing performance of the design, and for ensuring the success of the integration process and verifying delivered system performance.

The NOIRLab US-ELTP is designing and developing a comprehensive suite of software systems to support open-access users of TMT and GMT in proposal submission, program planning and execution, data processing and analysis, and archival research.  In all these areas, the Project Systems Engineer is responsible for establishing and maintaining the definition of all technical requirements and system-level interfaces, for specifying and managing the design process and configuration control, for identifying assessing analyzing, and tracking project risks and mitigations, for analyzing the performance of the design, and for ensuring the success of the integration process and verifying delivered system performance. The Project Systems Engineer will work closely with the Project Software Architect to ensure that systems engineering processes and agile software development processes work together and complement each other, and will also work closely with counterparts in the GMT and TMT organizations to ensure that all interfaces between NOIRLab and TMT+GMT systems are fully specified and controlled.

Essential Functions:

• Lead and collaborate on Systems Engineering needs identification, requirements definition and requirements analysis, and perform requirements management and verification.
• Work with internal and external teams to review and oversee work quality from a technical perspective.
• Provide the technical interface to external teams at GMT and TMT. Help define interfaces and develop interface control documents and verify the conformance of the sub-systems to these interfaces.
• Identify potential system issues early in the project planning and design stages. Review and help ensure proper engineering during the build phase.
• Define and lead project configuration and knowledge management, including change control.
• Collaborate on project risk management and quality management, including establishing and maintaining the Project Risk Register and conducting periodic risk reviews.
• Collaborate on design and implementation activities including oversight to ensure adherence to systems engineering best practices.
• Work with the Project Software Architect to ensure that systems engineering processes are well-suited to software-dominated projects and agile development processes.
• Ensure the safe conduct of operations and activities of self and subordinates.
• All AURA employees are responsible for the proper management and control of all AURA property within their work area, whether assigned to them or someone else. This responsibility includes reporting any known missing, stolen, or non-working property in their work area to their supervisor or the AURA Property Officer.
• Responsible for ensuring compliance with government award terms and conditions assigned to this position or subordinates of this position as defined in the Vela Award Management system.

Other Functions:

• Other duties as assigned

Required Education/Experience/Skills/Abilities:

• BS degree in an engineering or science discipline with courses in pertinent fields such as systems engineering, software engineering, mathematics, physics, or astronomy.
• 5+ years as a Systems Engineer or performing systems engineering functions.
• Demonstrated systems engineering experience through the lifecycle of large, complex projects.
• Experience in integrating system engineering processes with software engineering and agile development processes.
• Effective collaboration with people of diverse professions and backgrounds.
• Excellent English written and verbal communications.
• Ability to easily grasp a wide range of engineering and science concepts and terminology pertaining to observatories.
• Ability to ethically and inclusively lead teams and perform work in a safe and welcoming environment.
• Ability to work independently, manage multiple assignments simultaneously, and prioritize activities as needed.
• Ability to garner consensus, make decisions, and communicate to stakeholders.
• Must be able to travel internationally in the performance of these duties.

Preferred Education/Experience/Skills/Abilities:

• Advanced degree in an Engineering or Science discipline with courses in pertinent fields such as systems engineering, aerospace engineering, industrial engineering, mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, physics, and astronomy.
• Experience with Major Research Equipment and Facilities Construction (MREFC) projects, and NSF, DOE, or equivalent major reviews is highly desirable.
• Demonstrated experience working with geographically distributed teams.
• Demonstrated experience working with both internal and externally contracted teams in a systems engineering role.
• Experience in both development and operations environments.
• Experience in an Observatory environment.
• Demonstrated experience with industry-standard systems engineering tools and processes.
• Knowledge of Spanish

Physical Demands:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; and talk, or hear.
• The employee is occasionally required to stand; walk; reach with hands and arms and stoop; kneel; crouch; or crawl.
• The employee must regularly lift and /or move up to 10 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds.
• Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus.
• Must possess - sufficient mobility, strength, or dexterity in both arms and hands and both legs to a) reach upward, sideways, downward to work with paper files; b) sufficient mobility and dexterity to utilize computer systems, fax machines, copiers, and other office machines.
• 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, fire alarms, 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
• Some travel may be necessary in or outside the contiguous United States.
• Occasional work at high elevation summit sites may be required (summit elevations range from 6,800 feet to 14,000 feet)

Salary Range: $114,400-$139,260. The final salary will depend on skills, qualifications and experience.

AURA offers an excellent benefits package including paid time off and retirement plan contributions, competitive salary commensurate with experience, and a very attractive work environment. Details on benefits can be found at https://hr.aura-astronomy.org/employee-benefits-guide/ 

The position will remain open until it is filled. To be considered in the first round of reviews, please submit your application by January 23, 2024. 

• Please submit a cover letter and a CV or resume, PDF files preferred. Please name any attachments with the following format: Lastname Docname. 
• Application documents that are not uploaded as part of the application may be sent to employment@aura-astronomy.org. 
• Please enter 3 professional references in your application (references will only be contacted later in the recruitment process). 

Veterans, disabled individuals or wounded warriors needing assistance with the employment process should request assistance at employment@aura-astronomy.org 

The Association of Universities for Research in Astronomy (AURA) is a consortium of 49 US institutions and 3 international affiliates that operates world-class astronomical observatories for the National Science Foundation and NASA. AURA’s role is to establish, nurture, and promote public observatories and facilities that advance innovative astronomical research. In addition, AURA is deeply committed to public and educational outreach, and to diversity throughout the astronomical and scientific workforce. AURA carries out its role through its astronomical facilities. 

As a recipient of U.S. Government funding, AURA is considered a government contractor and is subject to Equal Employment Opportunity and Affirmative Action regulations. As an Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action Employer, AURA does not discriminate based on race, sex, color, age, religion, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity/gender identity expression, lawful political affiliations, veteran status, disability, and/or any other legally protected status under applicable federal, state, and local equal opportunity laws. The statements below as well as the requests for self-identification are required pursuant to these regulations. We encourage your participation in meeting these federal reporting requirements which are included for protection and to assist us in our recordkeeping and reporting. Your responses are kept strictly confidential.