Master Optician, Steward Observatory (Part Time)

Master Optician, Steward Observatory (Part Time)

Company:
The University of Arizona

Job Location:
Tucson, 85724

Category:
Laboratory and Research

Type:
Adjunct/Part-Time

Posting Number: req25571

Department: Steward Observatory

Location: Steward Observatory

Address: 9040 S. Rita Rd, Suite 1500, Tucson, AZ 85747 USA

Position Highlights

The University of Arizona's Steward Observatory invites you to apply to the role of Master Optician. The University of Arizona Steward Observatory seeks an experienced, motivated candidate to join the team in fabricating optical mirrors for the LFAST telescope. The position involves administering and coordinating optical engineering programs and mirror fabrication projects, ensuring alignment with research objectives, production timelines, and performance requirements. This role will design, analyze, and optimizes optical systems and fabrication processes using commercial software and precision polishing equipment to manufacture 0.8-meter-diameter spherical mirrors. In addition, it will apply statistical and metrology methods to validate system performance and manufacturability. Each telescope requires 20 mirrors and the next planned system will consist of 10 telescopes with 200 mirrors.

The sucessful candidate in this role will provide technical leadership, mentorship, and process standardization, supporting student workers and technicians while collaborating with multidisciplinary engineering and scientific teams to maintain and improve advanced research equipment and processes.

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

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Duties & Responsibilities

Mirror Process Development:

• Designs and optimizes optical systems and fabrication processes using Strasbaugh polishing machines and commercial optical design software to meet rigorous performance criteria and precise dimensional requirements. Applies project management methodologies to plan, execute, and monitor mirror production activities, ensuring alignment with project objectives, timelines, and risk mitigation strategies.
• Executes fabrication of 0.8-meter × 25 mm thick (27 kg) meniscus blanks, including frequent handling and placement on 0.9-meter capacity Strasbaugh overarm grinding and polishing machines. Adjusts machine parameters-such as stroke length, rate and extension, spindle speed, and lap overhang-to achieve production of four spherical mirrors within established timelines.
• Performs optical system design validation and feasibility assessments through simulation and modeling, incorporating statistical analysis methods to evaluate system robustness and manufacturability. Develops innovative fabrication approaches for thin mirrors using prior experience and moderate knowledge.
• Drafts, refines, and standardizes technical procedures for optical fabrication, assembly, and alignment to ensure consistency, repeatability, and knowledge transfer.
• During year two, researches and evaluates the feasibility of continuous polishing techniques for next-generation spherical mirror production for LFAST.

Metrology:

• Conducts optical metrology and alignment analyses using spherometers and interferometry to characterize surface profiles and validate system performance. Captures and analyzes measurement data using established statistical methods to assess surface accuracy, predict system behavior, and ensure feasibility of design outcomes.
• Generates and maintains surface profile data within electronic databases (e.g., Excel), producing visualizations to track surface evolution throughout fabrication. Interprets interferometric data to diagnose deviations and implements corrective adjustments to machine parameters to achieve required spherical surfaces and performance specifications.

Process Documentation:

• Maintains comprehensive and accurate electronic records of machine settings, environmental conditions, tooling configurations, and process parameters to support reproducibility and continuous improvement.
• Develops and refines technical documentation, including fabrication, alignment, safe handling, and repair procedures, ensuring accessibility and standardization across the team. Identifies opportunities to improve efficiency and process reliability through ongoing evaluation of optical fabrication methods and documentation practices.

Team Lead Duties

• Provides technical guidance, task coordination, and mentorship to optical fabrication technicians, student workers, and support staff. Trains team members on fabrication processes, equipment operation, and quality standards to ensure consistency and knowledge transfer.
• Assists supervisor in assigning and monitoring daily, weekly, and monthly work, ensuring alignment with production milestones and operational goals. Fosters a collaborative work environment that supports skill development, accountability, and adherence to safety and quality standards.

Mirror Production Lab Duties:

• Collaborates with the project principal investigator, project manager, and multidisciplinary engineering teams to plan, coordinate, and execute mirror production activities. Tracks progress against milestones, presents weekly updates, and proactively identifies and mitigates risks to project timelines.
• Supports maintenance, troubleshooting, and continuous operation of specialized optical fabrication equipment and tooling. Works with engineering and scientific teams to modify or improve machines and processes as needed.
• Ensures compliance with laboratory safety standards and protocols, including proper handling of equipment and chemicals. Supports training efforts to maintain a safe and efficient production environment.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Ability to use a large-format overarm optical polishing machines in the 36" size for making mirrors or lenses.
• Advanced knowledge of optical shop methods and practices, including glass handling, repair, surface measuring, grinding, polishing, and figuring mirrors to optical tolerances.

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 in Optical Engineering, Physics, related field 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.

Preferred Qualifications

• 10 years of relevant hands-on optical fabrication, including pitch polishing, and testing experience for making precision optics.
• 10 years experience with interferometric optical test setups, equipment, and data collection.
• Experience assembling and/or operating Continuous Polish machines for fabrication of large optics.
• Demonstrated experience mentoring or training technical staff or students.

FLSA: Exempt

Full Time/Part Time: Part Time

Number of Hours Worked per Week: 30

Job FTE: 0.75

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

Chad Bender
Astronomer, Steward Observatory
cbender@arizona.edu

Open Until Filled: Yes

Documents Needed to Apply: Resume and Cover Letter