Associate Mechanical Engineer

The LBTO seeks an Associate Mechanical Engineer responsible for the design, fabrication, and maintenance of custom hardware relevant to the operation of the LBT and its supporting infrastructure. This individual works with other staff to prioritize needs and identify solutions appropriate for a high-altitude environment. The incumbent generates digital designs and documentation for projects, executes projects within defined budgets and schedules, oversees the purchasing of materials, and works with end users to ensure a successful outcome.

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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• Work with interdisciplinary teams to identify and prioritize mechanical engineering projects that address Observatory needs.
• Identify design solutions, develop a schedule and budget for execution.Provide regular reports on progress.
• Create mechanical designs that optimize performance, safety, and efficiency, using digital design tools.
• Develop design trade studies and evaluate with team input using CAD software and standard engineering methodologies including Finite Element analysis.
• Generate drawings for fabrication.
• Select required off-the-shelf components, generate a bill of materials, and oversee purchasing of hardware.
• Work with local machine shops to fabricate custom parts.
• Participate in assembly and testing of fabricated units.
• Create procedures and operational instructions for installation and removal, alignment, maintenance, and spare parts inventory management.
• Work with mountain-based crew members for training and refinement in maintenance procedures for mechanical systems, assessment of hardware condition, and evaluation of related safety and cost considerations.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Knowledge of mechanical design principles.
• Knowledge of the mechanics of materials, material selection, tolerance, fabrication techniques, and common mechanical hardware.
• Knowledge of chiller specification, selection, installation, and testing.
• Knowledge of basic electronics and use of test equipment.
• Knowledge of vacuum systems and working knowledge of pumps, gauges, leak detection, and vacuum materials.
• Knowledge of design principles for harsh environments including high altitude and vacuum.

Physical/Environmental Requirements

• This position requires that the employee be able to work remotely at the 10,500-ft-elevation Observatory site throughout the year. The average time spent on summit is approximately one week per month.
• This position requires the ability to be trained to use safety harness systems to allow work on lifts or structural elements at heights up to 50 feet from ground level.

• 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.

• Experience with SolidWorks and associated FE tools.
• Experience with CAD software.
• Experience in a major astronomical research observatory.