USAJOBS · 2 days ago
Submillimeter Array (SMA) Director (Supervisory General Engineer)
Hilo, Hawaii, USA
Full-time
Onsite
Lead/Staff, Director/Executive
$154K/yr - $154K/yr
1+ years expThe Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory is seeking a Submillimeter Array (SMA) Director to provide leadership and management for daily SMA operations from the Hilo facility. The Director is responsible for overseeing engineers, scientists, and technical staff to ensure the production of high-quality scientific data and operational efficiency.
ConsultingGovernmentHuman ResourcesInformation TechnologyInternetStaffing Agency
No H1B
U.S. Citizen Only
Responsibilities
Provides advice, and instructions to employees on both work and administrative matters
Periodically reviews job descriptions of subordinates to maintain currency and accuracy
Reviews organizational posture of the division and makes recommendations to higher-level supervisors for improvements in organizational features, structuring of positions, and work methods, to achieve maximum efficiency and utilization of resources
Interviews candidates for positions within the department and makes the recommendation of final selection for hire; recommends promotions and reassignments
Evaluates performance of subordinates, establishing and negotiating employee performance standards
Hears employee complaints and takes appropriate action to resolve, including working with the HR Partner
Refers group grievances and more serious complaints that are not immediately resolved locally
Effects, in partnership with HR, minor disciplinary measures, such as warnings and reprimands
Recommends action to higher-level supervisors in more serious cases
Identifies employees' career development and training needs
Promotes and assures compliance with SAO EEO program policies and directives
Directs a major engineering program, overseeing subordinate supervisors, engineers, and technical staff across multiple disciplines
Establishes strategic goals and priorities for engineering programs, aligning with SAO mission, budget, and policy objectives
Manages multimillion-dollar budgets and contracts, ensuring cost-effective use of resources and compliance with federal acquisition regulations
Provides authoritative technical guidance on engineering feasibility, risk management, and integration of complex systems
Develops and enforces engineering policies and standards, often setting precedent for SAO-wide adoption
Represents the SAO at national and international forums, negotiating technical agreements and presenting engineering strategies
Oversees workforce development, mentoring subordinate supervisors and shaping long-term engineering career paths
Ensures compliance with safety, environmental, and regulatory requirements, balancing mission needs with public accountability
Resolves high-stakes disputes among contractors, stakeholders, or partners, often requiring persuasive negotiation and technical authority
Directs daily SMA operations and supervises engineers, technicians, administrative and IT staff, and subcontractors
Leads recruitment, training, performance management, staff development, and conflict resolution while ensuring operational efficiency and effective execution of observatory functions
Develops and justifies the annual SMA budget
Manages financial execution, monitors expenditures, applies fiscal controls, and ensures alignment with program goals, operational priorities, and institutional requirements
Provides direction for the installation, integration, testing, maintenance, and long-term planning of SMA instrumentation, receivers, electronics, and facility systems
Identifies technical challenges and collaborates with SAO leadership and SMA staff to implement solutions and support scientific mission readiness
Maintains relationships with partner institutions, funding organizations, and Maunakea observatories
Supports collaboration with existing and new institutional partners as they emerge
Pursues external partnerships that advance the observatory’s scientific, technical, and operational goals
Serves as liaison to MKSOA and ensures compliance with cultural, environmental, safety, and security requirements, promoting respectful and responsible site operations
Ensures transparent communication and aligns operations with strategic priorities
Provides regular reports to SAO and CfA leadership
Maintains a leadership role in millimeter and submillimeter instrumentation, contributes to scientific publications, and represents the SMA at professional meetings
Performs other duties as assigned
Qualification
Required
U.S. citizenship
Males born after 12/31/59 must be registered with Selective Service
Must successfully pass a High Altitude physical
At least one year of specialized professional experience equivalent to the GS-14 level
Degree: Engineering. To be acceptable, the program must: (1) lead to a bachelor's degree in a school of engineering with at least one program accredited by ABET; 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 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
Professional registration or licensure -- Current registration as an Engineer Intern (EI), Engineer in Training (EIT), or licensure as a Professional Engineer (PE) by any State, the District of Columbia, Guam, or Puerto Rico
Evidence of having successfully passed the Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) examination or any other written test required for professional registration by an engineering licensure board in the various States, the District of Columbia, Guam, and Puerto Rico
Successful completion of at least 60 semester hours of courses in the physical, mathematical, and engineering sciences
Successful completion of a curriculum leading to a bachelor's degree in an appropriate scientific field, e.g., engineering technology, physics, chemistry, architecture, computer science, mathematics, hydrology, or geology, may be accepted in lieu of a bachelor's degree in engineering, provided the applicant has had at least 1 year of professional engineering experience acquired under professional engineering supervision and guidance
Benefits
Vacation and sick leave
Holidays
Health/life insurance
Accident insurance
Excellent retirement program options
Company
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