Engineer​/Architectural Manager

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A global higher education leader in innovative teaching, research and public service, the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill consistently ranks as one of the nation’s top public universities. Known for its beautiful campus, world‑class medical care, commitment to the arts and top athletic programs, Carolina is an ideal place to teach, work and learn.

One of the best college towns and best places to live in the United States, Chapel Hill has diverse social, cultural, recreation and professional opportunities that span the campus and community.

University employees can choose from a wide range of professional training opportunities for career growth, skill development and lifelong learning and enjoy exclusive perks including discounts, savings on local child care centers and special rates on select campus events.

UNC‑Chapel Hill offers full‑time employees a comprehensive benefits package, paid leave, and a variety of health, life and retirement plans and additional programs that support a healthy work/life balance.

Department
:
Physics and Astronomy – 319000

Career Area
:
Research Professionals

Posting Open Date
: 11/24/2025

Final date to receive applications
: 12/08/2025

Open Until Filled
:
No

Position Type
:
Permanent Staff (EHRA NF)

Working Title
:
Engineer/Architectural Manager

Appointment Type
: EHRA Non‑Faculty

Position Number
:

Vacancy : NF0009412

Full Time/Part Time
:
Full‑Time Permanent

FTE
: 1

Hours Per Week
: 40

Position Location
:
North Carolina, US

Hiring Range
: $76,300 – $138,000

Proposed Start Date
: 12/15/2025

Primary Purpose Of Organizational Unit
:
Our primary mission is providing instruction of the highest quality in physics and astronomy to undergraduate and graduate students at UNC‑CH. Training in physics is fundamental among the natural sciences because it provides understanding of the forces governing the structure of matter, from subatomic particles to the large‑scale structure of the universe.

Our departmental instructional mission spans all segments of the student community. Training is essential for undergraduate liberal arts majors, undergraduates seeking a degree in another natural science, and physics majors who receive broad and rigorous training. Graduate education and research advance frontiers of knowledge at the extremes of space and time, from particle physics to astronomy, requiring well‑equipped laboratories and extensive computing capabilities while being supported by comprehensive library collections.

The Argus Array will be the first very large optical telescope array and will have a field of view encompassing the entire sky  an Engineer for the Argus Array project, you will be responsible for the design, development, and integration of critical components that enable the array’s unique capabilities. The position’s responsibilities include designing, refining, integrating, and managing the construction of Argus systems—including the overall building systems, the cupola window, and associated electromechanical systems—as well as other components of the telescope.

You will work closely with our team of astronomers, telescope‑instrumentalists, and data scientists to implement and optimize these systems for the world’s largest optical telescope array and the largest digital camera ever built. There are also potential mentorship roles for graduate and undergraduate student teams. This position involves both hands‑on engineering and working with external vendors, including responsibility for on‑site decision making during key parts of the construction process.

Our project management philosophy emphasizes a small and local team, a flat management structure, and a highly collaborative working environment. We routinely produce prototypes and complex hardware in‑house, and we expect significant hands‑on engineering for Argus subsystems. The position includes spending time at the telescope construction site with responsibility for on‑site decision making as needed. The expected timescale for this position is two years, with possibility of extension to further projects.

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