Systems Engineer

NRAO Headquarters, 520 Edgemont Rd, CHARLOTTESVILLE, Virginia, United States of America

Posted Friday, August 28, 2026 at 4:00 AM | Expires Saturday, October 3, 2026 at 3:59 AM

Position

Description:

Position Summary

The National Radio Astronomy Observatory (NRAO) is a prestigious research and development organization that plays a vital role in the study of the universe. Associated Universities, Inc. (AUI) is a nonprofit organization that manages and operates the NRAO under a cooperative agreement with the National Science Foundation. The Observatory is a hub for technological and scientific collaboration, operating state-of-the-art radio telescope facilities for use by the international scientific community.

The Observatory has been instrumental in the study of black holes, galaxies, and the early universe.

The North American ALMA Support Center, located at the NRAO headquarters in Charlottesville, VA, is working with ALMA partners to upgrade the ALMA Radio Telescope located in the Chilean Andes Mountains. Already the most capable millimeter-wave telescope ever built, ALMA is currently initiating a system-wide upgrade that will substantially increase its capabilities. We are seeking an experienced Systems Engineer for the NA ALMA program’s responsibilities.

You will have the opportunity to combine your extensive systems engineering expertise with your passion to contribute to the future of millimeter wave astronomy.

This is a 3-year term position with a potential extension. The location for this position will be at the NRAO HQ in Charlottesville, VA. International travel will be required ~10%.

What You Will be Doing:

• Oversee and participate in the implementation of systems engineering processes across the life cycle of multiple projects across the ALMA Wideband Sensitivity Upgrade (WSU) program
• Review and communicate system architecture, system requirements, subsystem designs, and other technical documents
• Develop and collaborate on integration, verification, and validation plans, interface control documents, and similar documents
• Prepare and execute system reviews and assisting in managing subsystem design reviews, serve as member of project controls team
• Guide the systems engineering management processes, including configuration management, baselining, change management and document management processes and facilitate these processes across projects with our international partners
• Participate in system integration and testing activities

Work is typically performed in an office or laboratory environment. Occasional domestic and international travel will be required.

Position Requirements:

• You have a bachelor's degree in engineering or related field
• At least 10 years working as a systems engineer in integrated projects , preferably in scientific R&D environments
• Demonstrated experience with core systems engineering principles, including requirements capture, verification and validation plans, full project lifecycle planning, and scheduling and running effective meetings with geographically dispersed teams
• Experience working across life cycle phases from design to operations
• Experience working with international teams
• Experience in an application domain for the establishment of high-tech, large-scale infrastructure that is related to radio astronomy, such as radar, communication systems or optical telescopes is preferred
• Exposure to the following technology domains: electromagnetic, RF, digital signal processing, mechanical, software engineering and civil engineering
• Excellent verbal and written communication
• Proactive and independent work ethic
• Enthusiasm to work in a team with subject matter experts, engineers, and scientists across domains and projects

Additional Requirement

Observatory employees must be authorized to work in the United States. The Observatory presently cannot sponsor H-1B Visas for this position.

Total Rewards:

Compensation

The starting salary of this position is between $ 114,019 -$ 138,024. Factors which may affect starting pay within this range may include; education, experience, skills, competencies, other qualifications of the successful candidate, as well as internal equity and…