Smithsonian Institution · 2 weeks ago
Mechanical Engineer (Opto-Design), (IS-0830-13)
Cambridge, MA
Full-time
Onsite
Mid, Senior Level
$119K/yr - $155K/yr
1+ years expThe Smithsonian Institution is at the forefront of scientific exploration of the universe through its Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory. They are seeking a Senior Mechanical Engineer to support scientific investigations by providing mechanical, structural, and project engineering expertise for advanced instrumentation development in astronomical research.
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Responsibilities
Leads mechanical subsystem development with significant complexity
Oversees design, construction, and maintenance of complex opto-mechanical systems
Incumbent provides technical consultation, guidance, and task leadership
Advises senior leadership, program officials, and colleagues on engineering analysis, recommendations, and study conclusions
Leads, plans, develops, and prepares procedures, policies, and/or protocols for mechanical engineering studies and special projects that require advanced engineering analysis that extends or modifies theories, concepts, and assumptions or resolves unique or novel problems, conditions, or issues
Plans and coordinates programs or projects which are innovative and original
Develops methods and procedures which become the established precedent
Engineering analysis may result in significant alteration of standard practices, processes, devices, equipment, and known techniques
Studies and projects include technical planning activities; data collection; modeling and data analyses; analyses of site location and/or conditions; risk estimation and analyses; and analyses of instrumentation data
Engineering analysis advances engineering methods, practices, and procedures; conclusions, recommendations and/or decisions are based on this high-level analysis
Provide expert advice to senior colleagues, agency officials, and stakeholders
Provides technical organizational representation and collaboration on teams external to the organization, including external stakeholders and partners
Remains current with agency and national standards in the mechanical engineering industry (e.g., American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME)
Provides technical reviews, peer reviews, and checking of designs, drawings, engineering analysis, technical documents, specifications, cost estimates, and contract correspondence, ensuring documents are accurate and quality assurance processes were followed
Reviews may be outside of the organization or designed by others
Signs documents for technical approval in accordance with project and department policies, directives, and standards; this includes signing as the engineer in responsible charge
Conduct advanced mechanical engineering design, calculations, and reviews
Develops engineering technical guidelines and standards, and/or project or study objectives
Advises technical teams, developing technical procedures and practices for the teams
Provides technical, mentorship, guidance, instruction, and advice to engineers and technicians and other internal and external stakeholders
Identify and resolve engineering design problems
Recommend innovative solutions for instruments, facilities, infrastructure, or energy systems
Prepare technical reports, specifications, and guidance documents
Ensure projects meet performance, safety, and sustainability requirements
Incumbent in collaboration with CfA scientific investigators, the incumbent conceives, designs, and constructs highly complex scientific instruments, their support structures, optical systems, associated mechanisms, and test equipment that are at or extend state-of-the-art
Assignments will include the complete instrument life cycle, from conceptual design through integration, test, commissioning, operations, maintenance, and repair
Provides expert technical consultation to CfA scientists and other engineering staff in instrument mechanical design, state-of-the-art mechanisms, materials and processes selection, fabrication, and assembly methods, and fixturing, particularly in the areas of motion control devices, high reliability mechanisms, and general robotics
Investigates, selects, justifies, and procures critical mechanical, servo-mechanical, and optical components used in astronomical/astrophysical instrumentation and its development
Prepares specifications for selected components that describe the technical approach and results and conclusions of engineering trades and analyses
Prepares procurement documentation that sets expectations and delivery criteria
Conducts detailed structural trades and analyses at the concept and detailed design levels to inform technical decisions
Supports the development of requirements and associated compliant systems designs
Actively participates in the assembly of complex instrumentation involving intricate structures, mechanisms, and optics
Provides technical leadership to overall instrument fabrication, assembly, and test activities, both in SAO laboratories and externally, including at vendor or partner facilities and/or telescope sites
Documents work in technical memoranda, reports, test plans, and procedures
Develops technical specifications to communicate needs internally as well as to suppliers and partners
May author technical papers, either singly or in collaboration with project scientists and other engineers, to publish innovative design techniques and present results at technical symposia
Serves as the project’s mechanical/structural representative to both internal and external stakeholders including senior management and staff at the CfA, collaborating or sponsoring organizations, and review teams
Makes both oral and written presentations to project scientists and technical representatives of contracting agencies and cooperating or affiliated organizations
Develops and presents detailed technical content at periodic status reviews, international conferences, and major gate reviews involving external partners
Serves on technical task forces, review teams, and committees
Performs other duties as assigned
Qualification
Required
Degree: professional engineering. To be acceptable, the curriculum must: (1) be in a school of engineering with at least one curriculum accredited by the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET) as a professional engineering curriculum; or (2) include differential and integral calculus and courses (more advanced than first-year physics and chemistry) in five of the following seven areas of engineering science or physics: (a) statics, dynamics; (b) strength of materials (stress-strain relationships); (c) fluid mechanics, hydraulics; (d) thermodynamics; (e) electrical fields and circuits; (f) nature and properties of materials (relating particle and aggregate structure to properties); and (g) any other comparable area of fundamental engineering science or physics, such as optics, heat transfer, soil mechanics, or electronics
Combination of education and experience--college-level education, training, and/or technical experience that furnished (1) a thorough knowledge of the physical and mathematical sciences underlying professional engineering, and (2) a good understanding, both theoretical and practical, of the engineering sciences and techniques and their applications to one of the branches of engineering
Candidates must possess at least one year of specialized experience at or above the grade 12 level in similar positions
Advanced knowledge of the principles and practices of the mechanical engineering of optical instrumentation--as evidenced by professional experience in the design and fabrication of optics and related instrumentation--so as to enable the incumbent to translate scientific requirements into functional hardware and to provide expert technical advice on complex instrument development to CFA scientists, engineers, and the scientific and/or technical staff of contracting and cooperating organizations
Strong analytical skills and knowledge of related engineering fields such as structural engineering, and the use of advanced materials
Demonstrable strong technical leadership skills, including the ability to assist in defining the technical scope of engineering projects accurately; generate realistic project technical goals, budgets, and schedules; and organize the work of others
Advanced knowledge of the design and functionality of complex precision mechanisms, motion control, and automation as used in optical instrumentation
Ability to utilize a variety of computer-based design and analysis tools (e.g., ANSYS STRUCTURAL, ANSYS MECHANICAL, SOLIDWORK SIMULATION, ABAQUS, NASTRAN, FEMM, COMSOL)
Ability to apply and incorporate innovative technology into design problems that may not be readily tractable by established methods
Exceptional ability to communicate technical information effectively, both written and oral when presenting to both technical and non-technical staff of SAO and project partners
Mastery of mechanical engineering principles, including thermodynamics, fluid mechanics, materials science, and energy systems
Ability to apply advanced theories to practical, large-scale projects
Superior skill in applying, professional expertise in advanced mechanical engineering theories, concepts, principles, standards, and methods to provide expert engineering advice and consultation to senior colleagues and/or Department officials who are responsible for broad program operations and to execute significant projects with complex features/facilities that represent an important segment of the Department's operating programs and that affect the welfare of the public
Extensive skill in applying, advanced mechanical engineering theories, concepts, principles, standards, and methods to provide significant and innovative recommendations for advancing programs and/or engineering methods and to apply experimental theories and/or new developments to projects that require extension or modification of engineering theories, concepts, or assumptions; resolution of unique or novel problems, conditions, or issues; or significant alteration of standard practices, devices, processes, and known techniques
Knowledge of, and skill in applying, the principles and practical concepts and processes of other related engineering and technical disciplines to direct, advise, coordinate, or oversee combined efforts involving multiple disciplines and ensure connection, contribution, or inclusion of the multiple disciplines involved in mechanical engineering assignments
Skill in identifying, conceptualizing, and developing advanced, unique, or novel solutions to mechanical engineering problems or needs, and skill in independently planning and conducting studies and reviews and developing technical documents
Knowledge of new and emerging engineering methods and technology to apply when addressing unique or novel mechanical engineering problems and needs
Knowledge of engineering data collection methods
Benefits
Health, Dental & Vision Insurance
Life Insurance
Transit/Commuter Benefits
Accidental Death and Dismemberment Insurance
Annual and Sick Leave
Family Friendly Leave
403b Retirement Plan
Discounts for Smithsonian Memberships
Museum Stores and Restaurants
Credit Union
Flexible Spending Account (Health & Dependent Care)
Company
Smithsonian Institution
Smithsonian Institution is a group of museums and research centers administered by the United States government.
5001-10000 employees
H1B Sponsorship
Smithsonian Institution 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
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Trends of Total Sponsorships
2025 (11)
2024 (11)
2023 (5)
2022 (7)
2021 (7)
2020 (12)
Funding
Current Stage
Late StageTotal Funding
$0.05MKey Investors
Bezos Earth Fund
2025-05-21Grant· $0.05M
Leadership Team
E
Elizabeth Ziebarth
Visitor Accessibility, Smithsonian Institution
Ellen Stofan
Under Secretary for Science and Research
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