Principal Mechanical Engineer

The Principal Mechanical Engineer plays a pivotal role in enabling the next generation of ground-based solar observations through the ngGONG network. This position is central to translating ambitious scientific goals into reliable high-precision mechanical systems that will operate across multiple observatory sites for decades. As the technical authority for mechanical and opto-mechanical design the PME ensures that telescope structures instruments and interfaces perform as intendedsafely efficiently and maintainableunder real-world conditions.

Beyond technical excellence this role shapes how the project is executed. The Principal Mechanical Engineer sets engineering standards leads a multidisciplinary team and integrates mechanical solutions with optical electrical controls and civil systems. The decisions made in this role directly affect scientific data quality long-term operability and the success of a major national research short this position ensures that the science can happentoday and well into the future.

The ngGONG project is currently funded for a three-year design phase with the potential for additional funding contingent upon selection to advance into construction.

This position is based in Boulder Colorado on the University of Colorado campus.

What Youll Do

• Lead the conceptual and detailed design of mechanical and optoâmechanical subsystems including telescope structures mounts drives enclosures thermal control hardware instruments mechanical interfaces and precision support mechanisms.
• Define and maintain mechanical architectures and interfaces between telescope assemblies instruments site/buildings/fitâout and support systems working closely with the Systems Engineer and other discipline leads.
• Develop and review complex CAD models assemblies and detailed drawings; establish and enforce drawing practices GD&T materials/fastener standards and mechanical design guidelines.
• Oversee and/or perform mechanical analyses such as structural (static and dynamic) thermal vibration and tolerance stackâups to inform design decisions and support design reviews.
• Translate highâlevel science and system requirements into actionable manufacturable mechanical designs including tolerances alignment schemes adjustment ranges and maintenance access provisions.
• Supervise and lead a small team of engineers (mechanical electrical/electronics and potentially optical and PLC/safety) including task assignment priority setting coaching and dayâtoâday technical guidance.
• Create and manage team work plans and schedules; balance workload across engineers; ensure that commitments on scope schedule cost and quality are met for mechanical work packages.
• Guide and mentor junior engineers and drafters; review their work to ensure technical accuracy compliance with standards and consistency with project requirements and interfaces.
• Support prototype development integration and testing of mechanical subsystems; provide handsâon technical guidance and troubleshooting during assembly alignment and verification activities.
• Lead mechanical portions of design reviews (concept preliminary and detailed); plan and conduct trade studies and risk assessments; prepare and present mechanical documentation analyses and recommendations to project leadership and external reviewers.
• Collaborate with vendors fabricators and external partners to ensure quality manufacturability cost effectiveness and alignment with project objectives and standards; participate in makeâversusâbuy decisions where appropriate.
• Identify mechanical and integration risks develop mitigation strategies and maintain systemâlevel mechanical documentation including risk and issue tracking related to mechanical scope.
• Ensure that mechanical designs are compatible with planned installation integration maintenance and replacement strategies at all ngGONG sites including safe access handling and alignment approaches.
• Act as a subjectâmatter expert for mechanical systems during design reviews acceptance tests integration demonstrations and operations/maintenance planning.
• Coordinate with project management and systems engineering on planning status reporting change control and configuration management for mechanical systems and associated documentation.
• Act as a key point of contact to the leadership team for mechanical engineering needs upcoming schedule and activities and in turn advise of concerns and risks and request resources or support as needed.
  
  

Core Competencies

• Technical Mastery Strong expertise in mechanical and optoâmechanical system design analysis and integration for highâprecision observatoryâclass applications.
• Systems Thinking Ability to define and maintain mechanical architectures that balance performance manufacturability cost reliability and serviceability at the subsystem and system levels across a multiâsite observatory network.
• Leadership & Mentorship Leads and manages a small engineering team; provides supervision mentoring performance feedback and fosters collaboration accountability and knowledge sharing.
• Innovation & Problem Solving Anticipates design and integration challenges and develops creative technically sound solutions including trade studies and riskâinformed design decisions.
• CrossâDisciplinary Collaboration Coordinates effectively with optical electrical/electronics controls systems civil/siteâbuildingsâfitâout and science teams to ensure coherent integrated designs and interfaces.
• Project Oversight Provides planning cost/schedule input risk management and resource allocation for mechanical design and fabrication/integration efforts in coordination with project and systems engineering.
• Quality & Accountability Maintains design integrity adheres to engineering standards ensures thorough documentation and configuration control and takes responsibility for the performance of assigned systems and teams.

Why NSO

At the National Solar Observatory youll join a mission-driven community working at the frontier of solar science. Our teams are dedicated to understanding the Sun in ways that protect technology enhance scientific discovery and inspire global audiences. NSO offers a collaborative forward-thinking environment where curiosity is encouraged varied perspectives are valued and employees can make a tangible impact on science and society. Here you will have the opportunity to grow your career lead innovative outreach programs and help shape the national conversation around solar physics and space weather.

Qualifications

Required

• Bachelors Degree in Mechanical Engineering plus recognition and achievement of technical scientific and leadership excellence in the field.
• At least 15 years of progressively responsible experience in engineering development fabrication/integration and analysis of complex technical apparatus preferably including optoâmechanical telescope or instrumentation systems.
• Demonstrated experience serving as a lead mechanical engineer or equivalent technical lead including responsibility for mentoring and supervising other engineers and coordinating multidisciplinary work.
• Ability to independently identify and resolve technical problems by application of advanced engineering scientific or mathematical techniques.
• Strong experience in the use of 3âD CAD tools (SolidWorks or equivalent) for complex assemblies including creation of detailed drawings BOMs and configurationâcontrolled models.
• Experience performing or overseeing mechanical analyses (FEA thermal vibration tolerance analysis) and using the results to guide design decisions.
• Experience designing for manufacturability reliability and maintainability and supporting planning and execution of maintenance for complex mechanical systems.
• Able to speak and write effectively including preparation of comprehensive technical reports design documentation and review materials.
• Able to effectively communicate and cooperate with others at all levels of the organization as well as with key business contacts vendors and collaborators outside the organization.
• Knowledge of technological developments in relevant mechanical engineering fields and the ability to apply them to existing and new assignments.
• Willingness to actively participate in team safety meetings and adhere to (and advocate for) safety procedures and protocols.

Preferred

• Masters degree in Mechanical Engineering or a related field and/or Professional Engineer credentials.
• Significant experience as a lead mechanical engineer or line manager of multidisciplinary engineering teams on complex scientific research or technical projects.
• Proven project management experience including working knowledge of spreadsheets and other scheduling tools.
• Experience working in a research and development or astronomical facility and with observing instruments or similar highâprecision optoâmechanical systems.
• Experience with process control thermal control systems and/or HVAC as they relate to mechanical and optoâmechanical system performance.
• Experience in the planning documentation and execution of maintenance for complex mechanical systems and familiarity with maintenance management systems tools and processes.
• Experience with optoâmechanical hardware installation and alignment including highâprecision alignment and analysis tools (e.g. laser trackers CMM arms) and associated software (such as Spatial Analyzer or equivalent).
• Experience with FEA modeling (e.g. ANSYS) and CFD (e.g. StarâCCM or similar tools).
• Experience with common CAD and modelâintegration packages (e.g. AutoCAD SolidWorks Navisworks) in a multiâdiscipline environment.
• Experience with highâvacuum and cryogenic systems.
• Experience in the development of operations and maintenance documentation for complex mechanical or optoâmechanical systems.
• Plays or has played a leadership role in relevant technical associations or the astronomy/engineering community.

Physical Requirements

Thephysicaldemands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Must be able to remain in a stationary position at least 50% of the time.
• Occasional need to move about inside the office environment to access files office tools attendance in a meeting room etc.
• Constantly operates a computer and other office productivity tools that require fine motor skills such as a calculator copy machine computer printer etc.
• May occasionally need to position self to maintain computer and related tools.
• Seldomly needed to move objects up to 10 pounds.
• Constant communication with other individuals. Must be able to discern and exchange information as appropriate to the situation.
• Constant need to distinguish discern and identify a variety of objects and fine details with accuracy.
• Occasional work at high elevation summit sites may berequired(summit elevations range from 6800 feet to 14000 feet)

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by individuals assigned to this position. They are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all duties responsibilities and skillsrequiredby personnel so classified. This Institute promotes Equal Employment Opportunity workplace that includes reasonable accommodations to otherwise qualified disabled applicants and employees.

Salary and Benefits

Salary range: $154000-$172000. The final salary will depend on skills qualifications and experience.

AURA offers an excellent benefits package including paid time off and retirement plan contributions competitive salary commensurate with experience and a very attractive work environment. Details on benefits can be found at Benefits by Location - Aura Human Resources

About NSO and AURA

The National Solar Observatory is operated by the Association of Universities for Research in Astronomy (AURA) a consortium of leading universities and research institutions committed to advancing astronomical discovery. AURA manages world-class observatories for the National Science Foundation providing scientific leadership operational excellence and a collaborative environment that supports groundbreaking research. As part of AURA NSO benefits from shared resources and a community dedicated to innovation transparency and public service ensuring its work has broad and lasting impact.

How to Apply:

If youre interested in providing high-level engineering support for a mission-driven scientific program at one of the worlds premier observatories we encourage you to apply. Applications received by February 23 2026will receive priority consideration. This position will remain open until filled.

Submit your CV and cover letter (PDF format preferred) via our application system. Please name your files in the format:.

Individuals needing assistance with the employment process can request assistance here

Required Experience:

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