Job Abstract

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

We are seeking a System Engineer to work on the DSA-2000 project (https://www.deepsynoptic.org/), a world-leading telescope that is currently in the design phase. The array will use 2000, 5-meter dishes to observe at radio wavelengths (0.7 - 2 GHz frequency range) to survey the skies 10x faster than any radio telescope current or planned. The telescope will conduct a broad range of research, including the study of the formation of galaxies, the search for cosmic explosions, and investigations into the nature of gravity. 

The role can be based at either the Caltech campus or the Owens Valley Radio Observatory (OVRO, https://www.ovro.caltech.edu/), a world class facility operated by Caltech for research in radio astronomy, located near Bishop in central California on the ancestral homelands of the Big Pine Paiute Tribe of the Owens Valley. Remote work is acceptable, contingent on ability to effectively collaborate with colleagues at Caltech and OVRO. This role includes opportunities for growth through education and training as relevant or needed. The DSA-2000 project values diversity and inclusion and is committed to supporting our team members in any way possible. We encourage applicants who can bring a new perspective to the team.

Essential Job Duties

• Full lifecycle System Engineering activities as required in a radio astronomy technology development project.
• Development and maintenance of System Engineering documentation, including requirements specifications, traceability matrices, design documents, interface documents, verification documents, test procedures or reports, as well as templates for these documents when required.
• Analyses to support requirements refinement and allocation.
• Hands-on system, subsystem and major component verification and analysis to support verification.
• System Engineering support for subsystem leads and review of subsystem designs.
• Input to project planning process.
• Will work in collaboration with the DSA-2000 management team and staff in a collaborative environment.
• Will be required to travel to the telescope site in Nevada, OVRO, Caltech and supplier premises, as needed, to collaborate with faculty, engineering staff and/or contractors.
• Other duties as assigned.

Basic Qualifications

• A Master's degree in a related engineering field – for example: System, Electrical/Electronics, Computer, Mechatronics, Mechanical.
• Excellent knowledge of System Engineering processes as defined by INCOSE (International Council on Systems Engineering).
• At least 5 years’ experience working in a development engineering environment, of which at least 3 in a system engineering role.
• Excellent communication skills (particularly written) in English, good analytical skills, and problem-solving ability.
• Ability to work collaboratively within a multi-disciplinary and diverse team.

Preferred Qualifications

• A Ph.D. in a related engineering field – for example: System, Electrical/Electronics, Computer, Mechatronics, Mechanical.
• Full system lifecycle System Engineering experience in a development project.
• INCOSE certification (ASEP (Associate Systems Engineering Professional), CSEP (Certified Systems Engineering Professional) or ESEP (Expert Systems Engineering Professionals)).
• Experience working as a systems engineer in a scientific project.
• Scientific or background knowledge relevant to the DSA-2000 project (astronomy, radio astronomy, scientific software development, high performance computing, infrastructure).

Required Documents

• Resume or CV.
• Cover Letter.