Adaptive Optics Scientist

Position Description

Adaptive Optics Scientist

Job Category
Fulltime Regular

ExemptOvertimeEligible
Exempt

Benefits Eligible
Benefit Based

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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

Caltech Optical Observatories (COO) is inviting qualified candidates to apply for the position of Adaptive Optics Scientist within its Optical and Infrared (OIR) Instrumentation Group. The OIR Group develops innovative visible and infrared astronomical adaptive optics systems, imaging cameras, and spectrographs for the Palomar, Keck, and Thirty Meter Telescope International Observatories, as well as for other facilities and missions in support of Caltech faculty and student research.

Applicants are expected to have a demonstrated record of supporting the delivery of high-performance opto-electro-mechanical instrument systems for large telescopes or equivalent technical and managerial experience with technological innovations that meaningfully expand human scientific knowledge and understanding.

The successful candidate will contribute to the development of forefront adaptive optics systems for large telescopes, with opportunities for growth in other areas of astronomical instrumentation. You will work in close collaboration with Caltech faculty and research staff, advancing new concepts and research directions to enable new astrophysical measurements.

Essential Job Duties

The successful AO Scientist will:

• Develop and promote AO system designs via systems engineering tasks such as performance simulations, error budget construction, requirements flow-down, interface definitions, and user engagement.
• Support AO-fed instrumentation, systems, and subsystem implementation within multi-disciplinary teams, guiding expert optical, mechanical, and controls engineers.
• Provide AO expertise within distributed teams developing both soft- and hard-real-time AO system software and related instrumentation and observatory infrastructure.
• Identify and support opportunities for advanced technology developments, such as new wavefront sensing techniques and components, novel AO telemetry data utilization, and advanced tomography algorithms.
• Bring excellent written and verbal communications and teaming skills to an interdisciplinary, inter-institutional collaborative setting.
• Perform instrument engineering in one or more of the following disciplines at an associate level: optical design, mechanical design, controls engineering, software architecture and development, real-time-computer implementation, laser guide star systems engineering, and calibration system design.

As a member of the OIR Instrumentation group, the successful AO Scientist is expected to demonstrate:

• Innovative development of new instrumentation techniques and component technologies for furthering precision, grasp, multiplex, and efficiency across a wide domain of astrophysical measurements.
• Excellent communications and working relationship with astrophysics faculty and research staff at Caltech and partner institutions.
• Recognized technical excellence in one or more of the following instrumentation sub-disciplines: optical, photonic, mechanical, electrical, or detector engineering; cryo-vacuum systems; adaptive optics; controls; software engineering; or robotics.
• Broad knowledge of experimental physics and multidisciplinary engineering principles.
• Familiarity with effective systems engineering disciplines, including requirements engineering, error budget analysis, requirements flow-down, formal interface control, and risk assessment and mitigation strategies.
• Support of instrument and/or data pipeline software development teams, with emphasis on efficiency, automation, maintainability, and extensibility.
• Effective project planning and management of innovative/prototypical scientific equipment.

Basic Qualifications

• Ph.D. in astronomy, physics, engineering, or related field, or equivalent (Master's + 4 years or Bachelor’s with 6 years in the same fields).
• Enthusiasm to make impactful contributions, individually and within instrumentation teams, to human knowledge and understanding.
• Demonstrated laboratory integration and testing skills, including, but not limited to, proper understanding of cryogenics, alignment and assembly tolerances, metrology systems, automated data acquisition systems, statistical analysis, and computer/hardware interfaces.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills and ability to lead technical peers and work collegially with astronomical faculty.
• Occasional travel and work at high altitudes (14,000 ft.) is required, including both daytime and occasional nighttime schedules, often in low-light-level conditions.
• The ability to lift 25 lbs.
• Successful pre-employment physical and background checks.

Preferred Qualifications

• Ph.D. and 4 years’ experience, or equivalent.
• Expertise in adaptive optics systems design and performance optimization, high-contrast imaging techniques and/or high-resolution spectroscopy.
• Strong independent publication record in astronomical instrumentation and international recognition of past achievements.
• Proven publication record in advanced optical/photonic instrument component development for new generations of spectrographs and adaptive optics systems.

Required Documents

• Resume.

Hiring Range

$97,000 - $136,900 Per Year

The salary of the finalist(s) selected for this role will be set based on a variety of factors, including but not limited to, internal equity, experience, education, specialty and training.

As one of the largest employers in Pasadena, CA, Caltech is committed to providing comprehensive benefits to eligible employees and their eligible dependents. Our benefits package includes competitive compensation, health, dental, and vision insurance, retirement savings plans, generous paid time off (vacation, holidays, sick time, parental leave, bereavement, etc.), tuition reimbursement, and more. Non-benefit eligible employees will have access to some benefits such as onsite counseling and sick time. Learn more about our benefits and staff perks.