"Instrument System/Test Engineer II, Steward Observatory"

Position Highlights

The University of Arizona's Steward Observatory invites you to apply to the role of Instrument System/Test Engineer II. As an Instrument System/Test Engineer II, you will support the development, integration, and testing of advanced instrumentation for both ground-based and space-based telescope programs, including a high-visibility, privately funded space mission led by Steward Observatory. This role works closely with mechanical, electrical, optical, and software engineers to deliver complex, high-precision optomechanical and spaceflight-qualified systems.

The successful candidate will have hands-on experience building, assembling, and validating hardware, along with a working knowledge across electrical, optical, mechanical, and software domains. This broad technical base is essential for supporting the development and integration of delicate space-grade instrumentation and contributing to subsystem-level performance and reliability.

Key responsibilities include supporting integration and test (I&T) activities, contributing to subsystem design baselines, executing test procedures, and generating technical documentation required for configuration control and mission assurance. In this role, you will participate in design reviews, test readiness activities, and engineering working groups, ensuring that integration and testing requirements are clearly defined, implemented, and validated.

Strong communication and teamwork skills are required, as you will represent the engineering team in internal and occasional external technical exchanges. This position also provides an opportunity for you to contribute to cutting-edge astronomical instrumentation and space-mission development while gaining experience in multidisciplinary system engineering practices.

Outstanding U of A benefits include health, dental, and vision insurance plans; life insurance and disability programs; paid vacation, sick leave, and holidays; U of A/ASU/NAU tuition reduction for the employee and qualified family members; retirement plans; access to U of A recreation and cultural activities; and more!

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Duties & Responsibilities

Integration & Test (I&T) Execution

• Support mechanical, optical, electrical, and software integration activities; perform subsystem and system-level tests; execute test procedures; perform functional checkouts and collect test data.

Space-Grade Hardware Assembly

• Assist in building, assembling, and validating precision optomechanical and spaceflight-qualified components under cleanroom, ESD, and contamination-controlled conditions.

Subsystem Baseline Development

• Contribute to the development and maintenance of subsystem design baselines, including drawings, interface control documents (ICDs), assembly procedures, and test documentation.

Test Procedure Development

• Help create, refine, and maintain test procedures, travelers, and checklists to support integration, environmental testing, and verification activities.

Requirements Verification & Validation Support

• Assist with verification planning, test execution, inspection, data review, and documentation to confirm that subsystem and system requirements have been met.

Troubleshooting & Issue Resolution

• Identify integration issues, perform basic diagnostic testing, and collaborate with senior engineers to resolve mechanical, optical, electrical, and software interface problems.

Data Collection & Reporting

• Record test data, prepare data summaries, and contribute to test reports and review packages for internal stakeholders and external partners.

Engineering Review Participation

• Participate in design, test readiness, and peer reviews; provide input based on I&T observations and hardware handling experience.

Mission Assurance & Configuration Control Compliance

• Follow configuration management practices to ensure accurate documentation of builds, test configurations, and as-built states; adhere to contamination control, ESD, and mission assurance protocols appropriate for space-hardware development.

Cross-Disciplinary Coordination

• Interface with mechanical, electrical, optical, and software teams to coordinate integration needs, identify risks, and help implement mitigation actions.

Technical Communication & Representation

• Effectively communicate technical status, progress, and issues to project leads, PIs, and other team members; support internal and limited external technical discussions on behalf of the engineering team.

Support for Space-Mission Activities

• Assist with integration tasks, test events, documentation, and engineering readiness activities associated with the Observatory's high-visibility, privately funded space mission.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Knowledge of V&V
• Knowledge of I&T

This job posting reflects the general nature and level of work expected of the selected candidate(s). It is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all duties and responsibilities. The institution reserves the right to amend or update this description as organizational priorities and institutional needs evolve.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent advanced learning attained through professional level experience required.
• Minimum of 3 years of relevant work experience, or equivalent combination of education and work experience.

FLSA: Exempt

Full Time/Part Time: Full Time

Number of Hours Worked per Week: 40

Job FTE: 1.0

Work Calendar: Fiscal

Job Category: Research

Benefits Eligible: Yes - Full Benefits

Rate of Pay: $75,540 - $98,201

Compensation Type: salary at 1.0 full-time equivalency (FTE)

Grade 10

Compensation Guidance

The Rate of Pay Field represents the University of Arizona's good faith and reasonable estimate of the range of possible compensation at the time of posting. The University considers several factors when extending an offer, including but not limited to, the role and associated responsibilities, a candidate's work experience, education/training, key skills, and internal equity.

The Grade Range represent a full range of career compensation growth over time. The university offers compensation growth opportunities within its career architecture. To learn more about compensation, please review our Applicant Compensation Guide and our Total Rewards Calculator.

Career Stream and Level PC2

Job Family Research Engineering

Job Function Research

Type of criminal background check required: Name-based criminal background check (non-security sensitive)

Number of Vacancies: 1

Contact Information for Candidates

Oscar Montoya, Technical Manager, CAAO
omm@arizona.edu

Open Until Filled: Yes

Documents Needed to Apply: Resume