Mechanical Engineer (IS-0855-9/11)

Application Deadline: 4 December 2024

Department: Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory

Employment Type: Full Time

Location: Cambridge, MA

Compensation: $67,743 - $106,549 / year

Description

OPENING DATE: November 26, 2024
CLOSING DATE: December 4, 2024
TYPE OF POSITION: Trust Indefinite (Non-Federal)
DIVISION: Central Engineering 
LOCATION: Cambridge, MA 
AREA OF CONSIDERATION: This position is open to all eligible candidates.

*This is a career ladder opportunity. Selection will be made at either grade 9 or grade 11. The candidate may be non-competitively promoted to grade 11 upon recommendation of the supervisor based on classification requirements, satisfactory performance, and employee qualifications.*

What are Trust Fund Positions? Trust Fund positions are unique to the Smithsonian. They are paid for from a variety of sources, including the Smithsonian endowment, revenue from our business activities, donations, grants and contracts. Trust employees are not part of the civil service, nor does trust fund employment lead to Federal status. The salary ranges for trust positions are generally the same as for federal positions and in many cases trust and federal employees work side by side. Trust employees have their own benefit program, which may include Health, Dental & Vision Insurance, Life Insurance, Transit/Commuter Benefits, Accidental Death and Dismemberment Insurance, Annual and Sick Leave, Family Friendly Leave, 403b Retirement Plan, Discounts for Smithsonian Memberships, Museum Stores and Restaurants, Credit Union, Smithsonian Early Enrichment Center (Childcare), Flexible Spending Account (Health & Dependent Care). 
Conditions of Employment

• Pass Pre-employment Background Check and Subsequent Background Investigation, as required.
• Complete a Probationary Period if applicable. 
• Maintain a Bank Account for Direct Deposit/Electronic Transfer.
• The position is open to all candidates eligible to work in the United States.  Proof of eligibility to work in U.S. is not required to apply.
• Applicants must meet all qualification and eligibility requirements within 30 days of the closing date of this announcement. 

OVERVIEW

INTRODUCTION
The Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory (SAO) is at the forefront, internationally, of the scientific exploration of the universe. SAO combines its resources with those of the Harvard College Observatory to form the Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics (CfA). The CfA is the best-known astrophysics center in the world. Its programs range from ground-based astronomy and astrophysics research to space-based research, the engineering and development of major scientific instrumentation for space launch and use in large ground-based facilities, and research designed to improve science education. The research objectives of SAO are carried out primarily with the support of Government and Smithsonian Institution funds, with additional philanthropic support.  Government funds are in the form of Federal appropriations or the form of contracts and grants from other agencies. In contrast, Institution funds are available to SAO through grants from the Institution's Restricted Funds, Special Purpose Funds, Bureau Activities, Business Activities, and non-Federal contracts and grants. 

SUMMARY
The purpose of this position is to provide support to the engineering and scientific staff in the conduct of x-ray and solar optics research and development 

MAJOR DUTIES

1. Design and assemble hardware. Prepare experimental procedures. Perform experiment setup, data acquisition, and evaluation.
2. Design and Assembly Ground Support Equipment (GSE) required to perform the alignment and bonding of optical assemblies.
3. Align and bond Prototype and Flight mirror assemblies. Test and calibrate optics.  Perform laboratory measurements of optical alignment.  This includes operating laser alignment equipment, standard electronic measurement tools, and other general and specialized laboratory equipment. 
4. Support the assembly of precision optical systems. Develop computer programs to organize and plot raw data. Perform elementary statistical data analysis, reduction, plotting, archiving, and logging.
5. Design vacuum GSE and test ports for environmental testing of scientific instruments. 
6. Provide complete documentation on the mechanical parts and assemblies of the project instrument Write assembly procedures and environmental test procedures.
7. Procure and track all items for fabrication and hardware to complete the scientific instrument.