Mechanical Engineer; Opto-Design

Department: Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory

Location: Cambridge, MA

Compensation: $120,548 - $156,715 / year

Final date to receive applications: 17 March 2026

Opening Date: February 17, 2026

Closing Date: March 17, 2026

Type of Position: Trust Indefinite (Non-Federal)

Division: Central Engineering

Location: Cambridge, MA

Area of Consideration: This position requires access to export-controlled work. The candidate must be a U.S. person (citizen, permanent resident, approved asylee, or refugee) or a national of a country eligible for an export license who is eligible to work in the US.

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).

• 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.

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.

This is the position of Opto-Mechanical Design Engineer, Central Engineering Department (CE), Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory (SAO). The purpose of the position is to support the Observatory’s scientific investigations by providing mechanical, structural, and potentially project engineering expertise to the development of advanced ground-based instrumentation for astronomical/astrophysical data collection and related telescope systems.

The incumbent will collaborate with scientists to identify pioneering technologies to be applied to the development of innovative instruments that support the advancement of Observatory scientific research objectives and will ensure the translation of these concepts into functional hardware. The incumbent will be required to support multiple complex projects simultaneously.

In collaboration with CfA scientific investigators, the incumbent conceives, designs, and constructs highly complex scientific instruments, their support structures, optical systems, associated mechanisms, and test equipment that are at or extend state-of-the-art. Assignments will include the complete instrument life cycle, from conceptual design through integration, test, commissioning, operations, maintenance, and repair. Provides expert technical consultation to CfA scientists and other engineering staff in instrument mechanical design, state-of-the-art mechanisms, materials and processes selection, fabrication, and assembly methods, and fixturing, particularly in the areas of motion control devices, high reliability mechanisms, and general robotics.

Investigates, selects, justifies, and procures critical mechanical, servo-mechanical, and optical components used in astronomical/astrophysical instrumentation and its development. Prepares specifications for selected components that describe the technical approach and results and conclusions of engineering trades and analyses. Prepares procurement documentation that sets expectations and…