M1S Deputy Element Manager

The Giant Magellan Telescope is one of the most powerful ground-based telescopes ever engineered. It is designed to push the boundaries of human knowledge and explore the unknown. Now under construction at Las Campanas Observatory in Chile’s Atacama Desert, one of the premier locations on Earth for astronomy, the telescope will deliver the highest-performing combination of image quality, field of view, and light sensitivity ever achieved. From this southern hemisphere location, the Giant Magellan Telescope will use seven of the world’s largest mirrors to uncover the mysteries of dark matter and dark energy, investigate the origins of chemical elements, and search for signs of life on distant exoplanets.

When complete in the 2030s, the Giant Magellan Telescope will be one of the largest public-private funded science projects in history. It is the work of the GMTO Corporation, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit and international research consortium, founded by 16 universities and research institutions from the United States, Chile, Australia, Brazil, Israel, South Korea, and Taiwan.

Our culture is impactful, inclusive, and fearlessly innovative. We tackle the most complex engineering challenges and scientific questions alongside talented individuals who share a passion for advancing humanity’s understanding of the Universe.

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

The Universe Awaits®

Primary Mirror Subsystem (M1S)

Primary Mirror Subsystem Element Manager

The Giant Magellan Telescope Primary Mirror (M1) comprises seven 8.4-meter mirror segments, which must be positioned and controlled to function as a 25-meter aperture telescope. The M1 Subsystem supports and positions the individual mirror segments and provides the means to actively adjust the positions of the mirrors, deform their reflective surfaces to the desired shapes, stabilize the temperatures of the mirror substrates, and protect the mirrors in the event of an earthquake. M1 Subsystem components are integrated into steel weldments delivered by the Telescope Structures Element. The M1 glass mirror segments are delivered by the Optics and Opto-Mechanics Element. Together, the weldments, mirror segments and the M1 Subsystem comprise the M1 mirror cells.

The M1 Subsystem (M1S) Deputy Element Manager (DEM) will support the M1S Element Manager in the development of the GMT M1S including leading incorporation of lessons learned into the design, preparing for the final design review (FDR), conducting the FDR, and overseeing prototype testing. The DEM role will involve production planning, source selection, planning of assembly, integration, verification, and commissioning (AIVC), and overseeing production and AIVC of the M1S. Deliveries will include the subsystem components for eight primary mirror cells, AIVC of four telescope mirror cells at both the mount supplier and the GMT site in Chile, and commissioning of the M1 systems at the observatory.

DEM management responsibilities include recruitment, internal organization, contract management, and leadership of a team of subject matter experts within GMTO and among various consultants and subcontractors needed to perform the engineering tasks. Contract management will include defining work packages, identifying vendors and/or groups capable of completing the work, generating statements of work and technical specifications, participating in contract bid/selection processes, monitoring contracted work through completion, and establishing acceptance procedures.

The M1S DEM reports directly to the M1S Element Manager.  The M1S DEM position will require a combination of engineering expertise and management ability. He/she will be responsible for assisting the M1S Element Manager in developing the schedule and budget plans for the M1 Subsystem, and in executing this plan in an earned-value management framework of project controls, including assessment of cost and schedule variances, implementation of appropriate response actions to stay on plan, and risk management.

The M1S DEM will work with the GMT Project Systems Engineer on requirements development, interfaces, operations concepts, and verification and validation; with the M1S Chief Engineer to assure that best practices and lessons learned from other telescope projects are incorporated, and to address seismic design aspects; with the Safety and Assurance Leads to incorporate appropriate safety and quality assurance aspects; with the Telescope Structures Element to coordinate the design of the mirror cell weldments; with the Optics and Opto-Mechanical Element to assure proper interface and safe control of glass mirror segments and the telescope metrology system; with Wavefront Sensing & Control Element to assure that the M1 Subsystem properly performs its role in the wavefront control and phasing of the telescope; and with the Integration & Test lead to develop the final integration, test and commissioning plans.

• Assist the M1S Element Manager in preparing for the M1S Final design Review and the M1S part of the NSF Final Design Review of the Giant Magellan Telescope. The preparation for the M1S Final Design Review will include writing the terms of reference, identifying and inviting the review committee, communicating with the review committee, developing review outline and presentation template, developing an FDR preparation schedule, creating a repository of review documentation, and conducting the review.
• Manage and oversee contracts with various subcontractors involved in production of the M1S software and hardware.
• Support the management of the M1S assembly, integration, testing, and commissioning at the Las Campanas (Chile) observatory and other locations as necessary through M1S site acceptance and handoff to the GMT AIVC team.
• Participate in the procurement process for engineering services and subsystem fabrication, including identification of potential vendors and suppliers, preparation of technical specifications and statements of work, contract selection processes, and monitoring of contracted work.
• Support the preparation of cost and schedule plans for the project earned-value management system, manage the M1 Subsystem implementation to this plan, appropriately address variances in cost and schedule, and manage risk.
• Support the preparation and deliver programmatic and technical presentations at reviews and conferences.

• An BS degree in astronomy, physics, engineering, or equivalent technical discipline.
• Demonstrated leadership and management skills in large projects and/or international project collaborations.
• 15 years of experience with the design and construction of large opto-mechanical systems with at least half of that time associated with ground-based optical/infrared telescopes.
• Detailed knowledge and awareness of the current state of the art for production of large optical systems for astronomy.
• Strong analytical ability with demonstrated written and oral communication skills in English.
• Willingness and ability to travel to foreign and domestic vendor, partner, and observatory locations during the fabrication phase, and to spend a substantial amount of time at the observatory site in Chile during the AIT and commissioning phases.

• An MS degree in astronomy, physics, engineering, or equivalent technical discipline.
• High-level, hands-on, expertise with optical/IR instruments and telescope optical systems.
• Demonstrated expertise and experience in the systems engineering of large complex systems.
• Understanding of pneumatic and linear actuating systems.
• Understanding of Earned Value Management.

• Normal office environment
• Lab environment
• Preferred location Tucson, AZ
• Pasadena location or remote work acceptable
• Domestic and International travel to visit supplier and M1S integration sites

No special requirements

No direct reports

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

$155,000- $225,000

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.