Schmidt Sciences · 2 days ago
Astrophysics Institute Program Scientist [Observatory Operations Expert]
Baltimore, MD
Full-time
Onsite
Senior Level
$170K/yr - $210K/yr
5+ years expSchmidt Sciences is a nonprofit organization focused on accelerating scientific knowledge and breakthroughs. They are seeking an Observatory Operations Expert to lead the development and operation of astrophysics facilities, ensuring that telescopes and instruments deliver transformative science.
Non-profit Organization Management
Responsibilities
Serve as the in-house expert on observatory operations for large-scale astrophysics facilities
Lead efforts to design and prototype an Observatory Operations Center, including exploring architecture, technology stack, staffing models, and operational protocols
Develop operational strategies, scheduling frameworks, and support systems to maximize science productivity and efficiency
Contribute to and review observatory system designs, ensuring that operability, maintainability, and long-term sustainability are central considerations
Support commissioning and science readiness of new facilities and ensure smooth transition to steady-state operations
Establish best practices for reliable, community-focused observatory operations
Provide ongoing oversight and assessment of existing observatory projects, particularly around operations readiness
Identify opportunities for additional support, collaboration, or intervention to maximize science return
Qualification
Required
Ph.D. degree or equivalent experience in Astronomy & Astrophysics, Systems Engineering, or a closely related field
Minimum 5 years of experience in observatory operations, telescope systems engineering, or equivalent high-availability facility operations
Demonstrated leadership in commissioning or managing complex astronomical facilities
Strong knowledge of scheduling, queue operations, and observatory software ecosystems
Proven ability to develop and implement operational strategies that maximize science productivity
Ability to work across interdisciplinary teams and partner organizations
Based at one of the Schmidt Sciences offices (Maryland, New York) with the ability to travel domestically and internationally
Preferred
Experience designing, prototyping, or establishing new operations centers, control rooms, or mission operations facilities
Hands-on expertise with telescope control systems, data management pipelines, and integration with archives
Background in IT infrastructure management, high-availability computing, or cloud-based observatory operations
Familiarity with requirements management, performance budgets, and system engineering practices
Track record of developing or implementing best practices in observatory or facility operations, especially in collaborative, multi-institutional settings
Experience leading or contributing to community-wide discussions, reviews, or convenings related to operations planning
Company
Schmidt Sciences
Schmidt Sciences is a philanthropy dedicated to fostering the advancement of science and technology.
11-50 employees
H1B Sponsorship
Schmidt Sciences has a track record of offering H1B sponsorships. Please note that this does not
guarantee sponsorship for this specific role. Below presents additional info for your
reference. (Data Powered by US Department of Labor)
Distribution of Different Job Fields Receiving Sponsorship
Represents job field similar to this job
Trends of Total Sponsorships
2025 (1)
2024 (3)
Funding
Current Stage
Early StageCompany data provided by crunchbase