Mechanical Engineer III

The NSF Daniel K. Inouye Solar Telescope (DKIST), operated by the National Solar Observatory (NSO), is the world’s largest and most advanced solar telescope, designed to help answer fundamental questions about our Sun and its complex magnetic fields. DKIST, which completed construction and began operations in November 2021 on the summit of Haleakala, Maui, Hawaii is a major program within the NSO. The NSO, an NSF national research and development center dedicated to solar science, is managed by the Association of Universities for Research in Astronomy (AURA). AURA, a consortium of 49 U.S. institutions and 3 international affiliates, operates world-class astronomical observatories. Its role is to establish, nurture, and promote public observatories and facilities that drive innovative astronomical research.

We are hiring for a Mechanical Engineer to design, analyze, and maintain mechanical components and systems to meet specified requirements and standards. They will develop specifications for new parts, modifications, or prototypes; identify appropriate materials and processes to ensure the quality, performance, and manufacturability of products; utilize CAD software and other design and modeling tools to plan, develop, and improve mechanical parts or components and communicate conceptual designs and specifications to stakeholders; conduct assembly and prototype testing to evaluate the performance, reliability, and safety of mechanical systems; analyze and troubleshoot mechanical issues or failures to identify root causes and develop solutions; and plan and execute technical activities such as installation, repairs and maintenance of mechanical systems.

Essential Functions:

• Performs a mechanical engineering role in technical/engineering activities, project planning and control, and data analysis.
• Performs engineering design and analysis using CAD modeling, simulation and other computational tools for existing or new instrumentation designs.
• Sources the correct parts as needed for projects.
• Performs installation, repair and maintenance of new or existing instrumentation systems.
• Performs tasks in optical labs, either at the base office or at the telescope site.
• Independently solves moderately complex mechanical design problems.
• Coordinates problem-solving of a technical nature directly or in conjunction with other members of a project team.
• Develops and documents techniques, procedures, and testing for compliance with technical requirements and approved time schedules.
• Develops and documents techniques and procedures for installation and maintenance of instrumentation at the telescope with other on-site teams as necessary.
• Arranges and coordinate activities for a project and interact with other groups and vendors or manufacturers when required.
• Collaborates with management to develop techniques, procedures, tooling, assembly, testing, installation and other operations for a project.
• Exercises discretion in the application of available resources and techniques for a project.
• Complies with applicable safety standards and ensures safety of operations in areas under purview, and for correcting and/or reporting unsafe conditions and practices.
• All AURA employees are responsible for the proper management and control of all AURA property within their work area, whether assigned to them or someone else. This responsibility includes reporting any known missing, stolen, or non-working property in their work area to their supervisor or the AURA Property Officer.
• Responsible for ensuring compliance with government award terms and conditions assigned to this position or subordinates of this position.

Other Functions:

•  Other duties as assigned.

 Qualifications:

•  Bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering.
• 5 years of experience in mechanical engineering.
• Familiarity with standards applicable to mechanical engineering and drafting.
• Familiarity with optics, opto-mechanical design concepts.
• Knowledge of general fabrication techniques.
• Ability to resolve technical problems by application of engineering and physics principles relevant to project requirements in mechanical engineering/technology, design drafting, computer CAD applications, and scientific optical instrumentation.
• Ability to develop conceptual ideas based on requirements and specifications and transform those into functional hardware.
• Cleanroom experience.
• Knowledge of technological developments and the ability to apply them to existing assignments.
• Proficient in the use of SolidWorks, or another 3D CAD package.
• Proficient in the use of MS Office Suite, Google tools and general computer skills.
• Ability to speak and write effectively, including preparation and presentation of reports.
• Ability to cooperate with and obtain the support of others.

Preferences:

• Solidworks Simulation, ANSYS or other FEA packages.
• Solidworks Thermal Simulation, Starr CCM or other CFD packages.
• Familiarity with vacuum and cryogenics systems.
• Familiarity with metrology systems (e.g. CMM arm, laser tracker, theodolite, spatial analyzer)
• Experience in a research and development environment or astronomical facility and of working with observing instruments.
• Handling optics, optical assemblies, and complex astronomical instrumentation components and instruments.
• Knowledge of project workflow and tasks tracking applications (eg JIRA).

This position involves access to technical data that is subject to U.S. export control laws, including the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) and/or the Export Administration Regulations (EAR). Pursuant to these regulations, only U.S. persons (as defined in the regulations) are eligible for access to the controlled technical data. A "U.S. person" includes a U.S. citizen, U.S. national, lawful permanent resident (green card holder), or person granted asylum or refugee status. Applicants must be eligible to access export-controlled information as defined by U.S. law. 

Physical Demands:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel and talk or hear.
• The employee is occasionally required to stand; walk; reach with hands and arms and stoop; kneel; crouch; or crawl.
• The employee must regularly lift and /or move up to 10 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds.
• Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus.
• Must possess - sufficient mobility, strength, or dexterity in both arms and hands and both legs to a) reach upward, sideways, downward to work with paper files; b) sufficient mobility and dexterity to utilize computer systems, fax machines, copiers, and other office machines.
• Must possess – 1) ability to read and understand instructions, drawings, safety guides, and other written materials necessary to perform job; 2) sufficient visual capacity to perform the applicable functions without assistance of visual aids other than eye contacts or eye glasses; 3) sufficient spoken aural capacity to hear and understand instructions, warning bells, fire alarms, or shouted instructions without assistance of auditory aids other than a hearing aid; and 4) ability to impart information orally so that others understand and can respond appropriately.
• DKIST is being built at Haleakala Hawaii and ability to work at 10,000’ elevation, sometimes during inclement weather, may be required.
• Occasional travel within the United States may be required.

Salary Range: $114,000-$143,000 per year. The final salary will depend on skills, qualifications and experience. 

AURA offers an excellent benefits package including paid time off and retirement plan contributions, competitive salary commensurate with experience, and a very attractive work environment. Details on benefits can be found at Benefits by Location - Aura Human Resources  

Apply by October 16, 2026 for priority consideration. This position will remain open until it is filled. Please submit a cover letter and a CV or resume, PDF files preferred. Please name any attachments with the following format: LastName DocName. 

Individuals needing assistance with the employment process can request assistance here.

Salary : $114,000 - $143,000