Senior Electrical Engineer

The Senior Electrical Engineer plays a pivotal role in turning the Next-generation Global Observing Network Group (ngGONG) vision into a reliable operational observatory. As the technical authority for electrical and electronic systems this role ensures that power controls and safety architectures are designed holisticallysupporting everything from site infrastructure to precision instrumentation. The decisions made in this position directly impact system reliability data quality personnel safety and long-term maintainability across all ngGONG sites.

By providing senior technical leadership and coordinating across disciplines the Sr EE enables complex systems to function as an integrated whole while balancing performance cost schedule and risk. This role is essential to delivering a robust scalable telescope design that can operate continuously in remote environments and support cutting-edge solar science for decades to come.

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

• Develop and maintain a thorough understanding of ngGONG scientific requirements system specifications design standards and interface requirements and translate them into appropriate electrical and electronic system architectures.
• Lead electrical and electronic engineering design activities for major ngGONG systems from concept development through final design including power distribution controls instrumentation detector electronics safety and observatory support systems.
• Define and maintain ngGONGs electrical and electronic system architecture covering site utility interfaces power distribution grounding and bonding lightning protection facility power rack distribution and observatory subsystems.
• Develop system architectures for electrical power distribution UPS and backup power power conditioning and quality controls instrumentation and electronics consistent with performance reliability safety and availability requirements.
• Define and oversee UPS power conditioning and power quality strategies for telescopes instruments critical IT/electronics and infrastructure including rideâthrough redundancy and monitoring requirements.
• Lead or contribute to the design of control servo and PLCâbased systems including definition of control strategies drive and I/O architectures and interfaces to motion control telescope and instrument subsystems.
• Lead the design and standardization of electronic racks and enclosures for ngGONG including power distribution safety interlocks grounding and shielding practices cable management environmental monitoring and serviceability.
• Perform and oversee engineering analyses and simulations to verify system performance reliability power quality and compliance with requirements and applicable codes/standards.
• Identify technical risks design tradeoffs and opportunities for innovation to improve performance constructability maintainability and lifecycle cost of electrical and electronics systems.
• Initiate and guide engineering studies simulations and technology evaluations (e.g. UPS topologies drive/control platforms detector electronics options) to support major design decisions.
• Solve complex electrical and electronic engineering problems that may extend beyond established practices or prior observatory designs including multiâsite and international constraints.
• Manage assigned electrical/electronic design work packages including scope definition schedule coordination cost and resource input and delivery of technical documentation and design artifacts.
• Coordinate electrical and electronic interfaces with mechanical optical thermal software civil and facilities engineering disciplines as well as with international site owners and utilities to ensure coherent and constructible solutions.
• Define electrical and electronics requirements for buildings site utilities and SBF (SiteBuildingsFitout) work packages and provide technical oversight and review of A&E deliverables related to electrical and lowâvoltage systems.
• Participate in and support formal design reviews at system and subsystem levels providing clear wellâdocumented electrical/electronic content recommendations and closure of assigned actions.
• Support development of integration test commissioning operations and maintenance concepts for electrical and electronic systems including remote diagnostics monitoring and sparing strategies.
• Ensure electrical and electronic designs comply with applicable codes standards safety requirements and environmental and heritage constraints across all ngGONG sites and coordinate closely with EHS and authorities having jurisdiction.
• Establish and maintain ngGONG electrical and electronics design standards (for example wiring practices labeling documentation templates rack standards grounding and EMC practices) and ensure compliance across internal and contracted work.
• Prepare and review engineering drawings specifications analyses schematics rack layouts and other technical documentation suitable for construction integration and commissioning phases.
• Communicate technical progress risks issues and design outcomes to project leadership systems engineering and other stakeholders in a clear and timely manner.

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 Electrical or Electronics Engineering or a closely related discipline.
• Minimum of 1015 years of progressively responsible experience in electrical and electronic system design for complex technical systems.
• Demonstrated experience in electrical system architecture analysis and design for large-scale or high-precision systems.
• Familiarity with applicable electrical controls and safety codes and standards.
• Working knowledge of PLC-based control systems and control/servo system design concepts.
• Experience with analog and digital circuit design including PCB design and layout.
• Experience with high medium and low power distribution systems (e.g. 208/480 VAC three-phase).
• Ability to independently identify analyze and resolve complex engineering problems using advanced engineering methods.
• Experience using standard electrical and electronics test and analysis equipment.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills including preparation of high-quality technical documentation.
• Ability to collaborate effectively with multidisciplinary teams and external partners.

Preferred

• Masters Degree in Electrical or Electronic Engineering Professional Engineer (PE) or Chartered Engineer credential.
• Experience leading electrical design for large scientific research or astronomical facilities.
• Experience with advanced control system design including servo optimization and tuning.
• Experience with PLC platforms such as Allen-Bradley Beckhoff Delta Tau or similar systems.
• Experience with Siemens SINAMICS or comparable drive systems.
• Experience with MATLAB/Simulink or equivalent tools for modeling and simulation of control systems.
• Familiarity with motion control platforms such as Delta Tau or PI hardware.
• Experience with CAD and ECAD tools (e.g. EPLAN AutoCAD Electrical Altium Designer).
• Experience developing design documentation suitable for construction integration and commissioning phases.
• Experience with optical detector systems (CCD/CMOS and/or infrared detectors and controllers).
• Proven technical leadership or work-package leadership experience on complex projects.

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: $130000-$165000. 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 byFebruary 272026will 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