Automation & Electronics Group Lead

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Join to apply for the DKIST Automation & Electronics Group Lead role at Association of Universities for Research in Astronomy

The DKIST Automation and Electronics Group Lead has primary responsibilities for planning, leadership, coordination, and oversight of the Automation and Electronics (AE) Group. In addition, responsibility extends to cover electronic and automation aspects of all systems and subsystems throughout the Observatory including the PLC-based safety system. The tasks and responsibilities will be accomplished in close collaboration with the Technical Operations Manager as well as Mechanical, Optical, Software, and IT group leads.

Essential Functions

Team Leadership

• Line manage AE Engineering staff with responsibility for proper selection, utilization, training, performance management of subordinates and recommendation for advancement.
• Guide and direct employees and subcontractors in assigned activities to ensure all appropriate functional, performance and quality objectives are achieved.

• Work in close collaboration with Observatory Managers and Lead Engineers to plan and coordinate planned, unplanned maintenance and upgrades of observatory processes, components, hardware, and utilities.
• Provide the Technical Operations Manager and other site management support in reconciling and coordinating the EA Staff.
• Review and participate in Operations planning activities, including development of budgets and schedules.
• Participate in upgrade Design and Acceptance Reviews with responsibility for automation and electronics implementation, ensuring they meet performance requirements and are fit-for-purpose.
• Perform other tasks as directed.

• Provide performance analyses of integrated automation and electronics systems with respect to operation, optimization and availability.
• Design and Implement automation strategies appropriate to Observatory operational modes and continuous improvement in reliability and availability.
• Manage configuration control of automation systems (i.e., PLC hardware & code) appropriate to system complexity, importance and stage of lifecycle.
• Plan, execute and oversee engineering activities on varied new and existing technical problems and platforms with a focus on automation and electronics.
• Diagnose causes and develop solutions for system malfunctions, ensuring corrective actions meet requirements.
• Develop and maintain test regimes (and records) for both the functional and safety automation systems within the observatory.
• Maintain the as-built documentation pertaining to the automation systems throughout the major Observatory systems.

• Comply with all applicable electrical and electronics safety standards. Correct and/or report unsafe conditions or practices.
• 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, (Use the "Apply for this Job" box below)..

• Bachelor's degree in relevant engineering field such as electronics, electrical, mechanical, computer science or systems engineering.
• 10 years of experience in Automation and Electronics Engineering with progressively increasing responsibility and complexity in engineering and development of technical apparatus.
• 5 Years Experience in PLC system programming such as Rockwell Automation /Allen Bradley, Beckhoff Automation Twin Cat, B&R Industrial Automation
• 3 years of experience in engineering project management, the development of Key Performance indicators (KPIs) to…