Research Engineer

Caltech Observatory Technician

Caltech is a world-renowned science and engineering institute that marshals some of the world's brightest minds and most innovative tools to address fundamental scientific questions. We thrive on finding and cultivating talented people who are passionate about what they do. Join us and be a part of the diverse Caltech community.

Job Summary

Located at Palomar Mountain in San Diego, CA, this position is responsible for several observatory functions that are critical to scientists and engineering customers. This position confirms the proper installation and setup of nightly scientific instrumentation on observatory telescopes. This position trains the scientific and engineering customers in the efficient use of astronomical instrumentation. This position troubleshoots, tests, and repairs critical telescope, scientific instrumentation, and subsystem software and hardware components. This position is responsible for measuring, cleaning, and maintaining long-term performance of observatory optics, including telescope mirrors, scientific instrument windows, lenses, and mirrors. This position contributes to the planning, design, and implementation of new observatory sub-systems, such as telescope control systems, testing methods, weather sensing systems, and many other critical observatory mechanisms.

This position responds to observatory emergencies and scientific instrumentation failures at any time, day or night.

Essential Job Duties

• Confirm the proper daily installation and performance of scientific instrumentation on the P200 telescope. Confirm the proper operation of scientific instrumentation on the remotely operated P60 and P48 telescopes as needed.
• Design, troubleshoot, and test critical telescope, scientific instrumentation, and subsystem software and hardware components. Develop problem solutions and upgrades to critical systems as needed.
• Train and support the astronomical scientist customers in the efficient use of the installed scientific instrumentation.
• Troubleshoot and repair problems with scientific instrumentation, telescopes, and other critical observatory systems.
• Contribute to all observatory engineering activities, such as the planning, design, and implementation of critical sub-system upgrades.
• Respond to problems with telescopes, scientific instrumentation, and other critical systems at any time, day or night.
• Develop and analyze observatory optical throughput and reflectivity measurements, to include the testing and cleaning of critical telescope optical components.
• Other duties as assigned, which may include telescope operation, snow/ice abatement, diagnosis of telescope and/or dome mechanical problems, etc.

Basic Qualifications

• An undergraduate degree in a scientific, technology, engineering, or mathematics field is required.
• Computing and software troubleshooting skills are required.
• Proficient with Windows and Linux operating systems.
• Experience with scripting languages such as Python, Matlab, and Iraf.
• Ability to lift 50 pounds.
• Ability to work safely in confined or elevated environments.
• Ability to safely work at 5,600-foot altitude.

Preferred Qualifications

• Undergraduate degree or higher in astronomy.
• 2 years or more with experience in observatory and telescope operations.
• Advanced computing, programming, and software troubleshooting skills preferred.
• Proficient in the C programming language.
• Proficient in scripting languages such as Python, Matlab, and Iraf.

Required Documents

• Resume