Senior Civil Engineer

The Senior Civil Engineer for ngGONG plays a critical role in shaping the future of ground-based solar observations. This position supports the National Solar Observatorys Next-Generation Global Observing Network Group (ngGONG) a major international initiative currently in the design phase. ngGONG will modernize NSOs global network of solar observatories enabling continuous high-quality observations that advance solar physics research and improve our understanding of space weather.

The Senior Civil Engineer plays a foundational role in turning ngGONGs scientific vision into buildable real-world observatories. This position ensures that each ngGONG sitefrom terrain and infrastructure to buildings and foundationsis thoughtfully designed rigorously reviewed and fully compliant with regulatory and safety requirements. By leading civil engineering concepts overseeing external A&E design efforts and coordinating permitting and approvals the Senior Civil Engineer helps de-risk the project early and sets the stage for successful construction and long-term operations.

This role is critical to aligning technical excellence with practical constraints such as constructability cost schedule and site-specific conditions. Through close collaboration with multidisciplinary engineering teams architects and site stakeholders the Senior Civil Engineer ensures that ngGONG facilities not only support the telescope systems they house but also enable reliable operations for decades to comemaking the science possible.

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

• Define SBF: Lead the definition documentation and maintenance of civil and architectural design requirements for site development buildings/foundations and Fit-out (SBF) at all ngGONG sites.
• Develop evaluate and down-select site and facility concepts (for example container-based buildings tower and foundation schemes utility and access layouts) through structured trade studies that balance performance risk cost constructability schedule and code compliance across diverse international locations.
• Coordinate closely with Systems Engineering Telescope Assembly EHS and science teams to ensure that civil and architectural requirements interfaces and layouts support instrument performance operations safety environmental constraints and future expansion.
• Prepare and maintain the technical content for the SBF Design Requirements Document (DRD) reference standards package baseline reference design concepts and other internal design artifacts to be used in A&E procurement and subsequent design reviews.
• Serve as the primary technical and dayâtoâday administrative owner of the A&E contract for SBF including developing scopes of work participating in procurement reviewing drawings/models/specifications/estimates managing design iterations and verifying alignment with ngGONG standards and NSF/federal requirements.
• Ensure that all site and building designs correctly implement applicable codes standards and regulations (for example IBC ASCE 7 NEC/NFPA local building and zoning codes environmental and heritage protection requirements) and escalate issues variances and key decisions to project leadership as needed.
• Lead identification mapping and tracking of all permitting approvals and inspections for each site (planning building environmental utility heritage/historic and related authorities) and coordinate timely preparation and submission of permit and approval packages with the A&E firm and NSO/AURA administrative teams.
• Manage and review supporting investigations and inputs for SBF including surveys geotechnical studies environmental reviews and site-specific constraints and ensure that these are appropriately incorporated into concepts requirements and A&E deliverables.
• Serve as Control Account Manager (CAM) for the SBF work scope and develop and maintain civil/SBF inputs to the Integrated Project Schedule and cost estimates including design effort permitting timelines and constructionâphase planning assumptions to support downstream ngGONG build proposals and risk management.
• Support and present at internal and external design reviews (conceptual preliminary) providing clear technical documentation risk assessments trade study results and mitigation strategies for civil structural architectural and infrastructure aspects of the network; provide technical oversight and mentorship to internal SBF contributors and act as the central civil/architectural point of contact for site owners and authorities having jurisdiction.
• Occasional international travel to all proposed construction sites for communications and coordination with local authorities and site representatives.
• All AURA employees are responsible for the proper management and control of all AURA property within their work area whether assigned to them or someone else. This responsibility includes reporting any known missing stolen or non-working property in their work area to their supervisor or the AURA Property Officer.
• Responsible for ensuring compliance with government award terms and conditions assigned to this position or subordinates of this position.

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.

Core Competencies

• Technical Mastery Strong expertise in civil site and facility design including grading foundations utilities drainage and building/infrastructure integration.
• Systems Thinking Ability to translate system and science needs into coherent civil/architectural requirements and concepts that balance performance risk cost and schedule across multiple international sites.
• Leadership & Mentorship Guides reviews and develops civil/SBF contributors; fosters collaboration clear ownership and knowledge sharing within the engineering and project teams.
• Innovation & Problem Solving Anticipates design permitting and constructability challenges and develops creative technically sound mitigation strategies and point designs.
• Cross-Disciplinary Collaboration Coordinates effectively with systems telescope mechanical electrical EHS and science teams to ensure interfaces and layouts are technically and operationally robust.
• Project Oversight Provides planning cost/schedule inputs risk management and control account management for the SBF area including oversight of major A&E contracts.
• Quality & Accountability Maintains design integrity adheres to applicable codes standards and NSF/federal requirements and ensures thorough documentation and traceability for requirements designs and permits.

Qualifications

Required

• Bachelors degree in Civil Engineering Structural Engineer Mechanical Engineering or a closely related field.
• At least 10 years of progressively responsible experience in civil or structural engineering development fabrication/integration and analysis.
• Demonstrated experience in civil design for facilities infrastructure or research/technical projects including preparation or review of requirements concepts and constructionâgrade design packages.
• Working knowledge of site development foundations grading/drainage and utility systems including coordination of related surveys geotechnical and environmental inputs.
• Experience coordinating with multidisciplinary engineering teams and external A&E consultants including review and critique of drawings models specifications and estimates.
• Familiarity with key building and civil codes and standards (for example IBC ASCE 7 and applicable local building zoning and environmental regulations) and with permitting and approvals processes.
• Ability to produce and review engineering drawings and technical documentation and to communicate requirements and technical decisions clearly in writing and in meetings.
• Strong organizational and communication skills with demonstrated ability to provide clear technical guidance manage competing priorities and track scope schedule and risk within an assigned work package.

Preferred

• Professional Engineer (PE) license
• Experience with observatory laboratory or other complex scientific or technical facilities preferably in remote or environmentally sensitive locations.
• Experience working on projects funded by federal agencies (such as NSF or NASA) including familiarity with associated design documentation and compliance expectations.
• Prior responsibility for leading A&E contracts serving as CAM or performing similar technical/managerial oversight of external design providers.
• Experience supporting projects through conceptual and preliminary design reviews including preparation and presentation of civil/architectural content trade studies and permitting strategies.

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: $117000-$150000. 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 byMarch 3 2026 will 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:

Senior IC