Located at the Palomar Observatory at Palomar Mountain, San Diego, CA, this position is responsible for observatory functions critical to scientists and engineering customers. This position confirms the proper installation and setup of nightly scientific instrumentation on observatory telescopes. This position trains scientific and engineering customers in the efficient use of astronomical instrumentation. This position acts as the lead of the night operations group, which is responsible for tra... more details
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Job Summary
Located at the Palomar Observatory at Palomar Mountain, San Diego, CA, this position is responsible for observatory functions critical to scientists and engineering customers. This position confirms the proper installation and setup of nightly scientific instrumentation on observatory telescopes. This position trains scientific and engineering customers in the efficient use of astronomical instrumentation. This position acts as the lead of the night operations group, which is responsible for training telescope operators and supporting astronomers, scheduling night operations work shifts, and providing input to the superintendent regarding hiring, salary, and progressive disciplinary matters. This position troubleshoots, tests, and repairs critical telescope, scientific instrumentation, and subsystem software and hardware components. This position responds to observatory emergencies and scientific instrumentation failures at any time day or night. This position is responsible for measuring, cleaning, and maintaining the 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 other critical observatory mechanisms.
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 remote P60 and P48 telescopes as needed.
Provide leadership and guidance to all night staff (consisting of 6 employees) to ensure efficient night operations.
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.
Contribute to all observatory engineering activities, such as the planning, design, and implementation of critical sub-system upgrades.
Maintain night staff work schedules to ensure support astronomers and telescope operators are working each night.
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, including the testing and cleaning of critical telescope optics.
Provide input on employee performance and training evaluations, and provide recommendations on personnel actions including hiring, salary, and progressive discipline matters.
Other duties as assigned, which may include telescope operation, snow/ice abatement, diagnosis of telescope and/or dome mechanical problems, etc.
Basic Qualifications
Undergraduate degree in a scientific, technology, engineering, or mathematic field required.
5 years of experience in observatory and telescope operations required.
Computing and software troubleshooting skills 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.
7 years or more of experience in observatory and telescope operations.
Advanced computing, programming, and software troubleshooting skills are preferred.
Proficient in the C programming language.
Proficient in scripting languages such as Python, Matlab, and Iraf.
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