Scientific Instrumentation Engineer

The Giant Magellan Telescope is one of the most powerful ground-based telescopes ever engineered. It is designed to push the boundaries of human knowledge and explore the unknown. Now under construction at Las Campanas Observatory in Chile’s Atacama Desert, one of the premier locations on Earth for astronomy, the telescope will deliver the highest-performing combination of image quality, field of view, and light sensitivity ever achieved.

From this southern hemisphere location, the Giant Magellan Telescope will use seven of the world’s largest mirrors to uncover the mysteries of dark matter and dark energy, investigate the origins of chemical elements, and search for signs of life on distant exoplanets.

When complete in the 2030s, the Giant Magellan Telescope will be one of the largest public-private funded science projects in history. It is the work of the GMTO Corporation, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit and international research consortium, founded by 16 universities and research institutions from the United States, Chile, Australia, Brazil, Israel, South Korea, and Taiwan.

Our culture is impactful, inclusive, and fearlessly innovative. We tackle the most complex engineering challenges and scientific questions alongside talented individuals who share a passion for advancing humanity’s understanding of the Universe.

Science Instruments

Science Instruments Element Manager

The Instrumentation Engineer will play a key role in the development of the first generation of GMT instruments during their design, construction, and commissioning phases. The successful candidate will be a primary technical point of contact between the instrument development groups and the Project Office.

In addition, the Instrumentation Engineer will provide technical guidance to the instrument teams regarding GMT designs and interfaces, monitor contracted work, manage progress reviews, help to standardize engineering solutions between the instruments, and work with the GMT Systems Engineering team to establish acceptance and commissioning procedures.

The Instrumentation Engineer will also be responsible for writing reports and proposals related to instrument development and making presentations to the GMT Science Advisory Committee, at conferences, and at project reviews.

This position will require travel to various GMTO member locations vendor premises, and the GMT site in Chile.

• Work with the Science Instruments Manager in guiding the instrument program for GMT.
• Be the technical point of contact between the instrument groups and the Project.
• Assist the Instrument Manager in working with the GMTO Contracts/Procurement department to prepare contract documents such as Requests for Proposals, statements of work, technical specifications, and other documents related to the instrument development.
• Monitor the technical progress of instrument teams during all phases of an instrument’s development via regular progress meetings and reviews.
• Monitor instrument assembly, integration, and test activities (at the partner institution site and at the telescope).
• Prepare and deliver presentations at technical reviews and conferences.
• Evaluating cost and schedule estimates for technical feasibility.
• Assist instrument teams in assessing instrument performance on the telescope, maintenance strategies, and operational strategies.
• Assist the instrument and GMT teams in specifying and developing interfaces.
• Support the preparation of integration, test, and commissioning plans in consultation with the instrumentation teams and other systems within the GMT.

• M.S. degree in Engineering or related field.
• Minimum of 7 years of post-degree, hands-on experience with the…