R&D Optical Engineer V - RFCML
Company: University of Arizona
Location: Tucson
Posted on: March 17, 2023
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Job Description:
R&D Optical Engineer V - RFCML
Posting Number
req12300
Department
Steward Observatory
Department Website Link
https://www.as.arizona.edu/
Location
Main Campus
Address
Tucson, AZ USA
Position Highlights
The Department of Steward Observatory seeks to fill the position of
an R&D Optical Engineer V to work at the Richard F Caris Mirror
Lab.
The selected candidate serves as the subject matter expert in the
different methods for evaluating the surface figures of the largest
monolithic telescope mirrors in the world-as large as 8.4 meters
(28 feet) in diameter; leads a team of three optical engineers. The
candidate advises principal investigators, college administrators,
and potential sponsors on what is possible in the surface figure
evaluations for mirrors costing tens of millions of dollars, and
after implementation, serves as the authority verifying the
fidelity of the complementary evaluations for all stakeholders.
Will also design and lead interdisciplinary teams of engineers to
implement complementary optical/infra-red-light tests to match
sponsors' requirements and to match the developmental state of the
mirrors during production. In addition, the candidate calculates
the surface figure aberrations caused by deviations from the ideal
force and temperature distributions and investigates discrepancies
in results between tests outside their modeled error
distributions.
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; state and optional
retirement plans; access to UA recreation and cultural activities;
and more!
The University of Arizona has been recognized for our innovative
work-life programs. For more information about working at the
University of Arizona and relocations services, please click
here.
Duties & Responsibilities
* Designs the surface figure evaluation strategy for mirrors during
production and according to sponsors' requirements. Designs
complementary surface figure evaluation tests according to the
phase of mirror production and the tests' sensitivities. Models the
Zemax light ray traces to ensure the light sources, lenses, test
optic (mirror in fabrication), cameras, detectors and other
metrology equipment are positioned within exacting tolerance.
Performs error analyses in order to specify positioning
requirements to the mechanical, electrical, and software engineers
designing system components. Factors in environmental effects
during tolerancing. Advises principal investigators, college
administrators and sponsors on the limits of surface figure
evaluations and develops novel, state-of-the-art solutions when
sponsor requirements make it necessary.
* Implements a surface figure evaluation strategy for mirrors
during production and according to sponsors' requirements. For
example, for one prescription of off-axis 8.4 meter diameter
mirrors, there are seven different tests depending on the state of
production and to allow enough testing redundancy to provide
confidence the mirrors' surface figure where deviations are within
-1/30th of a wavelength of green light, on average, of the required
surface figure, and the process of designing and constructing the
tests took several years. Implementation involves guiding the work
of mechanical, electrical and software engineers to design and
install the equipment and supervising the work of three
optical/metrology engineers to perform the surface figure
evaluations.
* Writes, or approves the writing of, procedures for evaluating the
efficacy of the metrology systems for conducting the surface figure
evaluations. As subject matter expert, writes reports describing
the expected performance of systems under design, as well as the
demonstrated capabilities of the metrology systems, their
limitations, and the methods those limitations were calculated.
Writes, or approves the writing of, complex data analysis code
using MATLAB and Zemax to process the data gathered, and to display
the results in a way that others can recognize and use for
continued production. Writes, or approves the writing of, and
implements MATLAB code to predict the surface figure effect of
force array and temperature deviations from ideal. Writes, or
approves the writing of, and implements MATLAB code to guide the
automated control of hexapods that precisely position the elements
of the surface figure evaluations.
* Supervises the three optical and metrology engineers who assist
in design of tests and who perform the tests in the lab and across
all areas of Steward Observatory. Provides technical expertise and
advice when they encounter the novel situations typically
encountered during the research activities that they support.
Troubleshoots metrology system anomalies and leads cross-functional
teams to discover and implement solutions.
* Guides technicians in installing and testing the mirror support
actuators in polishing cells that support the mirrors during fine
grinding and polishing and the thermal sensing system used in the
conduct of surface figure tests. Confirms the work of mechanical
engineers performing the finite element analyses that identify the
ideal force arrays for mirror support, then works with the
technicians to ensure the force arrays provided by the installed
actuators are within the tolerance necessary. Works with the
technicians to ensure the temperature distributions are being
measured accurately.
Additional duties may be assigned.
Minimum Qualifications
Preferred Qualifications
Preferred qualification: PhD in Optical Sciences or Physics with an
emphasis in Optics.
FLSA
Exempt
Full Time/Part Time
Full Time
Number of Hours Worked per Week
40
Job FTE
1.00
Work Calendar
Fiscal
Job Category
Research
Benefits Eligible
Yes - Full Benefits
Rate of Pay
DOE
Compensation Type
salary at 1.0 full-time equivalency (FTE)
Grade
14
Career Stream and Level
PC5
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
Target Hire Date
1/23/2023
Expected End Date
Contact Information for Candidates
warners@arizona.edu
so-humanresources@arizona.edu
Open Date
12/8/2022
Open Until Filled
Yes
Documents Needed to Apply
Resume and Cover Letter
Special Instructions to Applicant
Diversity Statement
At the University of Arizona, we value our inclusive climate
because we know that diversity in experiences and perspectives is
vital to advancing innovation, critical thinking, solving complex
problems, and creating an inclusive academic community. As an
Hispanic-serving institution, we translate these values into action
by seeking individuals who have experience and expertise working
with diverse students, colleagues, and constituencies. Because we
seek a workforce with a wide range of perspectives and experiences,
we provide equal employment opportunities to applicants and
employees without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national
origin, age, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender
identity, or genetic information. As an Employer of National
Service, we also welcome alumni of AmeriCorps, Peace Corps, and
other national service programs and others who will help us advance
our Inclusive Excellence initiative aimed at creating a university
that values student, staff and faculty engagement in addressing
issues of diversity and inclusiveness.
Keywords: University of Arizona, Tucson , R&D Optical Engineer V - RFCML, Engineering , Tucson, Arizona
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