Contract Technical Manager

The Giant Magellan Telescope is the most powerful ground-based telescope ever engineered. It was designed to push the boundaries of human knowledge and discover the unknown. With unmatched image quality, seven of the world’s largest mirrors will launch our view into the universe to uncover the cosmic mysteries of dark matter, investigate the origins of chemical elements, and search for signs of life on distant exoplanets for the first time.

The 30-meter class telescope is under construction at Las Campanas Observatory in Chile’s Atacama Desert, one of the best locations on Earth to view the heavens. From this unrivaled vantage into the southern sky, the Giant Magellan Telescope will produce the sharpest and most detailed images ever taken of our universe.

When complete in the early 2030s, the Giant Magellan Telescope will be the largest public-private funded science project in history. The endeavor was founded by an international consortium of 15 research institutions representing Australia, Brazil, Chile, Israel, South Korea, Taiwan, and the United States, and is managed by the GMTO Corporation, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization based in Pasadena, California. Our culture is impactful, inclusive, and fearlessly innovative. We solve the most difficult engineering challenges and scientific questions with talented individuals who share a passion for revolutionizing humanity’s knowledge of the universe.

We invite you to join our team and leave your mark on astronomy’s future and beyond.

The Universe Awaits™

Optics and Optical Metrology

Optics and Optical Metrology Manager

The GMT project office is seeking highly qualified Contract Technical Manager.  The Contract Technical Manager will have the primary responsibility of assisting in the contract management for key elements of the Optics and Opto-Mechanical Subsystems of the GMT telescope.  This role will be a member of a small team of engineers to procure the primary, secondary and tertiary mirrors, the wide field corrector, the equipment associated with productions of the optical coatings and other opto-mechanical components and structures.

They must be experienced in working with multidisciplinary teams that have successfully delivered complex, high-precision optical, mechanical and opto-mechanical subsystems and assemblies. The Contract Technical Manager will be responsible for writing and reviewing statements of work, quality requirements, source evaluations and other procurement related documentation.  This position will work with the GMT Procurement team and contractors to negotiate the contract scope, cost and schedule. The Contract Technical Manager will manage contract performance, schedule, milestones, and deliverables and will be supported by the subsystem engineers for technical issues. In addition, the Contract Technical Manager will generate presentations in their area of responsibility for project meetings, reviews, and conferences.

Additionally, this position may support similar work as needed for other subsystems of the telescope. These would include among others: the telescope mount, M1 mounting and support hardware and various handling equipment required for large precision equipment.

This individual must be capable of working closely with GMTO engineers, suppliers, partners, and the GMTO Procurement group to develop contracts to procure the various subassemblies and components in the systems. Experience in project management, subcontractor management, schedule and cost analysis and engineering disciplines such as mechanical, electrical, optical or physics are required in this position. EVMS experience as well as with optical fabrication of large optics is desirable.

This position will require travel to various GMTO member locations and vendor premises, and eventually the GMT site in Chile.

• Manage contracts for engineering services and fabrication of the GMT optics and opto-mechanical equipment, including identification of potential suppliers, preparation of statements of work, lead or support the source selection process, develop procurement documentation and contracts, develop negotiation plans, support GMTO procurement in the negotiation process.
• Manage the technical performance aspects of the contracts and ensure effective communication with the contractors and that the products meet all requirements with-in the cost and schedule of the contract. This will be supported by engineering subject matter experts.
• Ensure contractors comply with GMT subcontract SOW, specification, quality assurance and safety requirements.
• Write reports and prepare and deliver presentations associated with the contracts for the GMT mirrors and mirror support hardware.

• A minimum of an BS degree in Mechanical Engineering, Manufacturing or equivalent technical discipline
• At least 10 years of experience in program or contract management for the fabrication of large mechanical and opto-mechanical systems.
• Demonstrated experience in the successful contract management and delivery of large, complex systems for scientific, commercial or defense applications.
• Demonstrated high level of written and oral communication skills.
• A cooperative team player who strives to make the team(s) successful.
• Ability to perform as the Contract Technical Manager in an integrated product team.
• Knowledge of technical contract management and quality assurance methods
• Proficient in EVMS and schedule management

• An MS degree in Mechanical Engineering, Manufacturing or equivalent technical discipline
• 10+ years of experience with the manufacturing and fabrication of precision electro-optic systems
• MBA or equivalent business degree or certification in program management
• Demonstrated leadership and management skills in large projects and/or international project collaborations.
• Experience in product and quality assurance requirements for precision mechanical systems.
• Experience in optical fabrication for large optics

• Flexibility to work outside of core business hours and travel to GMTO member locations, vendor premises and the GMT site in Chile when necessary.
• Open plan engineering office.

Ability to travel, and eventually work offsite at an altitude of 8000 feet for extended periods

No direct reports

• Medical insurance
• Vision insurance
• 401(k)
• Dental insurance
• Disability insurance

$110,000- $145,000

The salary for this role will be set based on a variety of factors, including but not limited to, internal equity, experience, education, and training.

To apply send your resume or CV and a cover letter to careers@gmto.org.

If your skills and experience are a match for the position or if we need additional information, we will contact you. If we do not see a suitable match between your qualifications and the position, we will keep your information on file in the event future positions become available that are more suitable to your qualifications.

We are an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, or national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.

If you are a qualified individual with a disability or a disabled veteran, you have the right to request an accommodation if you are unable or limited in your ability to use or access our career center as a result of your disability. To request an accommodation, contact a Giant Magellan Telescope Corporation Human Resources Representative.