MECHANICAL ENGINEER

Full Job Description

This is a public notice flyer to notify interested applicants of anticipated vacancies. Applications will not be accepted through this flyer.

Interested applicants must follow the directions in the "How to Apply" section of this flyer to be considered. There may or may not be actual vacancies filled from this flyer.

Notice of Result letters will not be sent to applicants who respond to this flyer.

Your resume must also demonstrate at least one year of specialized experience at or equivalent to the GS-12 grade level or pay band in the Federal service or equivalent experience in the private or public sector.

Specialized experience must demonstrate the following: Experience as a telescope engineer with a thorough understanding of large astronomical telescopes and their optical subsystems.

Experience designing, constructing, and procuring new telescopes and/or telescope systems to meet emergent requirements.

Additionally, the telescope engineer will support the maintenance and upgrade efforts of existing astronomical instrumentation at USNOFS.

Experience and possess a solid background in structural design, drafting, modeling, and finite element analysis using SOLID WORKS.

Experience with machine shop manufacturing, CNC, 3D printing, and working with external manufacturers to meet defined specifications or requirements.

Experience and possess a strong mechanical engineering background and will be responsible for the mechanical design, analysis, drafting, and fabrication of mechanical assemblies and support equipment.

Experience and must have the aptitude to work within a multidisciplinary engineering team consisting of software, controls, and electronics engineers, as well as machine shop personnel and technicians.

Experience solving complex technical problems with little supervision and expected to be highly self-motivated. The candidate is a cooperative team player who strives to make the team successful.

Experience and possess a firm understanding of optical systems, including the handling, coating, and alignment of the optical elements of the four one-meter class telescopes.

As part of these efforts, the candidate is also responsible for the maintenance and upgrade of the station's mirror coating facility and its supporting infrastructure.

Experience and possess excellent verbal and written communication skills. The incumbent must have the equivalent of a B.Sc.

degree in Mechanical Engineering or Optical Sciences (Physics) with at least 10 years of professional experience, preferably at an astronomical observatory, or a M.Sc. or Ph.D.

degree in Mechanical Engineering or Optical Sciences and 5 years of professional experience, preferably at an astronomical observatory.

Additional qualification information can be found from the following Office of Personnel Management website: https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/#url=List-by-Occupational-Series AND https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/0800/files/all-professional-engineering-positions-0800.pdf Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., professional, philanthropic, religious, spiritual, community, student, social).

Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. Major Duties:

• You will be a key member of the Instrumentation Research and Engineering Division at USNOFS that supports the maintenance, upgrade, and development efforts of new and existing telescopes and astronomical instrumentation.
• You will be responsible for maintaining astronomical instrumentation for night-time operations, provide on-site support to the science staff, troubleshoot and solve instrument problems in a timely and flexible manner.
• You will be responsible for maintaining astronomical instrumentation for night-time operations, provide on-site support to the science staff, troubleshoot and solve instrument problems in a timely and flexible manner.
• You will maintain contacts with commercial and government agencies that design and operate astronomical telescopes and detector systems ensuring USNOFS remains equipped with forefront instrumentation capable of carrying out mission requirements.
• You will/may represent USNOFS at scientific and DOD meetings as they relate to telescope systems, optical systems, or detector systems.
• You will be expected to support the publication of scientific articles and learn new skills sets by attending relevant conferences and obtaining additional training as required.
• You will/may also be asked to provide tutoring and continued education to other technical staff members or visiting scientists and students.