Association of Universities for Research in Astronomy · 4 hours ago
Principal Mechanical Engineer
Boulder, CO
Full-time
Onsite
Senior Level, Lead/Staff
$154K/yr - $172K/yr
15+ years expThe Association of Universities for Research in Astronomy is seeking a Principal Mechanical Engineer to enable the next generation of ground-based solar observations through the ngGONG network. This role involves leading the design and integration of mechanical systems for observatories, ensuring they meet rigorous scientific and operational standards.
Non Profit
Responsibilities
Lead the conceptual and detailed design of mechanical and opto‑mechanical 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/fit‑out, 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 stack‑ups to inform design decisions and support design reviews
Translate high‑level 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 day‑to‑day 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 hands‑on 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 make‑versus‑buy decisions where appropriate
Identify mechanical and integration risks, develop mitigation strategies, and maintain system‑level 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 subject‑matter 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
Qualification
Required
Bachelor's 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 opto‑mechanical, 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 3‑D CAD tools (SolidWorks or equivalent) for complex assemblies, including creation of detailed drawings, BOMs, and configuration‑controlled 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
Master's 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 high‑precision opto‑mechanical systems
Experience with process control, thermal control systems, and/or HVAC as they relate to mechanical and opto‑mechanical 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 opto‑mechanical hardware installation and alignment, including high‑precision 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., Star‑CCM or similar tools)
Experience with common CAD and model‑integration packages (e.g., AutoCAD, SolidWorks, Navisworks) in a multi‑discipline environment
Experience with high‑vacuum and cryogenic systems
Experience in the development of operations and maintenance documentation for complex mechanical or opto‑mechanical systems
Plays or has played a leadership role in relevant technical associations or the astronomy/engineering community
Benefits
Paid time off
Retirement plan contributions
Company
Association of Universities for Research in Astronomy
AURA is a consortium of 40 US institutions and 6 international affiliates that operates world-class astronomical observatories.
1001-5000 employees
H1B Sponsorship
Association of Universities for Research in Astronomy 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
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Trends of Total Sponsorships
2025 (13)
2024 (13)
2023 (9)
2022 (14)
2021 (10)
2020 (11)
Funding
Current Stage
Late StageLeadership Team
Jack Tade, CPA
Deputy Chief Financial Officer
Theresa H.
Human Resources Business Partner
Recent News
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