Positions Description:

Positions Summary

The National Radio Astronomy Observatory (NRAO) is a prestigious research and development organization that plays a vital role in the study of the universe. Associated Universities, Inc. (AUI) is a nonprofit organization that manages and operates the NRAO under a cooperative agreement with the National Science Foundation. The Observatory is a hub for technological and scientific collaboration, operating state-of-the-art radio telescope facilities for use by the international scientific community. The Observatory has been instrumental in the study of black holes, galaxies, and the early universe.

At NRAO, we are currently recruiting multiple Electronic Engineer positions at various levels of experience for our growing engineering organization.

These positions may be based at either our Albuquerque or Socorro, NM facilities.

What You Will be Doing:

• Electronics design and development for the next generation Very Large Array (ngVLA) antenna.
• Troubleshooting radio telescope antenna electronic circuits and systems.
• Specification and qualification testing of COTs (Commercial off-the-shelf) electronics solutions.
• Generation of technical reports, findings, and recommendations.
• Participate as a member of a development team in design reviews, progress reviews, and presentations to stake holders.
• Continuous improvement and enhancement of electronics for all deployed antenna arrays, including the Very Large Baseline Array (VLBA) antenna and the Very Large Array (VLA).
• Other duties may be assigned based on the applicant’s skills and the Observatory’s needs.

Work Environment

Work is mission driven, team oriented and typically performed in an office setting within a research or development environment. The successful candidate may occasionally be required to work outdoors or climb on antenna to heights greater than 40 feet above the ground. Occasionally be required to lift and carry heavy lab equipment (up to 40 pounds) for relocation or installation of test apparatus, and to squat, kneel, or crawl to reach electrical/physical connections in tight spaces behind racks or under lab benches. Candidate may be required to travel domestically and internationally by air carrier and to travel by car between NRAO sites.

Who You Are:

A flexible, hands-on type of engineer at home in an office environment doing reports and simulations on a PC, but also comfortable at a lab bench doing circuit verification and troubleshooting, and enjoys the occasional field assignment under sometimes challenging conditions. You have a strong interest in RF applications and radio telescopes.

Education

• Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering (BSEE) is required.
• While not required, a Master of Science in Electrical Engineering (MSEE) is highly desirable.

Experience

• With a BSEE degree, a minimum of two years of experience in electronics design and development is required, with 5 years’ minimum experience preferred.
• Additional education in a directly related field may be substituted for the required professional experience on a year for year basis.

Skills and Competencies

• A strong foundation is required across a wide range of basic electronics and electronics troubleshooting. Experience must encompass a combination of one or more of the following: RF circuit design and analysis, analog circuit design and analysis, mixed signal circuit design, digital logic circuit design, power supply circuits, and cable design.
• Experience with engineering simulation tools such as Keysight Genesys, Matlab-Simulink, Ansys, PSpice, LTSpice, etc.
• Experience in circuit card schematic capture and PCB design using tools such as Altium Designer, OrCAD, KiCad, etc.
• Experience collaborating with mechanical engineers in the design and fabrication of enclosures meeting thermal and / or EMI requirements
• Experience with electronics test equipment, including DVMs, oscilloscopes, spectrum analyzers, etc.
• Familiar with production design concepts and best practices such as DFT, DFM.
• Attention to detail with good documentation skills, highly organized, with excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to work well in a team environment.

Preferred Skills and Competencies applicable to some positions

• Familiar with RF systems building blocks including oscillators, amplifiers, filters, and mixers.
• Experienced in the design and implementation of Environmental Monitoring Systems including Water Vapor Radiometers
• Embedded systems development expertise, including microcontrollers, embedded operating systems (embedded Linux, various RTOS), device drivers, A/D-D/A conversion techniques, command and control concepts, Real-time firmware (C/C++) coding skills, and FPGA development including toolchains such as Quartus and Vivado.
• Test engineering including computer-based testing, interfacing to test systems via LabView and/or custom desktop software such Python, and knowledge and experience with various instrument busses and serial communication busses.
• Telemetry applications, including remote instrumentation and remote test point monitoring.
• Experienced in the design and implementation of power supplies and power distribution systems.
• Familiar with regulatory requirements including safety and EMI
• Familiar with fiber optic communication standards and implementation

Observatory employees must be authorized to work in the United States. The Observatory presently cannot sponsor H-1B Visas for this position.

Total Rewards:

Compensation

The starting salary/hourly rate of this position is between $99,000-$138,000. Factors which may affect starting pay within this range may include; education, experience, skills, competencies, other qualifications of the successful candidate, as well as internal equity and labor market conditions.

Benefits:

Associated Universities, Inc (AUI) offers a comprehensive benefits package addressing the needs of employees and their families with most benefits beginning on the first day of employment, subject to eligibility requirements. AUI provides:

• Excellent paid time off (13 holidays, annual accrual of up to 24 vacation days)
• Medical, dental and vision plans are effective on the first day of employment.
• AUI’s retirement benefit contributes an amount equal to 10 percent of a qualified participant’s base pay with no required employee contribution.
• Click Total Rewards for more information.

Application Instructions:

Select the “Apply” button above. Please be prepared to upload your current CV/Resume and a cover letter describing interest and suitability for the position.

Equal Opportunity Employer Statement:

AUI is an equal opportunity employer. To view our complete statement, please visit https://public.nrao.edu/careers/. If you require reasonable accommodation for any part of the application or hiring process, you may submit your request by sending an email to resumes@nrao.edu. PM20