21 oct
Simons Observatory
San Pedro de Atacama
**Job Summary**:
The Simons Observatory (SO) Telescope Support Engineer will be responsible for working with the instrument teams to support commissioning, maintenance, operations and repairs for the Large Aperture Telescope (LAT) and its LAT Receiver (LATR), and the three Small Aperture Telescopes (SATs) currently under construction for the Simons Observatory. The Telescope Support Engineer will work with a team of leading scientists and other engineers in the development and testing of these important scientific instruments.
The Telescope Support Engineer will be part of the Simons Observatory’s site team and will report to the Observatory Manager in Chile.
The Telescope Support Engineer will work at the site to support all activities associated with installation, commissioning, maintenance, operations, repairs and upgrades to the Observatory instrumentation.
**Required Qualifications**:
- Bachelor’s degree or master’s degree in physics, astronomy, astrophysics, mechanical or electrical engineering
- Minimum 5 years hands-on experience in the maintenance of cryogenic instruments or systems
- Experience in design and fabrication of mechanical and electrical/electronic systems and components
- Fluency in English
**Desirable Qualifications**:
- Experience with microwave instrumentation for astronomy including a working knowledge of microwave optics and RF systems
- Experience with work at high-altitude sites
- Experience with servo controls and motion control systems, especially for telescopes and/or large antennas
- Experience with assembly and troubleshooting of electrical and electronic systems
- Experience with the operation and troubleshooting of high vacuum cryogenic systems including pulse tube coolers and dilution refrigerators
- Professional level design and fabrication experience in mechanical and electrical/electronic systems and components
- Working knowledge of finite element analysis, thermal modeling, and geometric dimensioning and tolerancing
- Competency in SOLIDWORKS 3D CAD software
- Fluency in Spanish
**Term**:
This is a salaried appointment. There will be a three-month probationary period.
**Location & Schedule**:
SO institutions are equal opportunity employers and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, or national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.
SO institutions are equal opportunity employers and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, or national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.
▶️ Telescope Support Engineer
🖊️ Simons Observatory
📍 San Pedro de Atacama