Department Contact: Mr. William Ketzeback, 575-437-0954, bketzeba@nmsu.edu

Internal or External Search: External - Open to all applicants

Advertising Summary: The Department of Astronomy at New Mexico State University invites you to apply to be a part of a diverse, dynamic, and welcoming learning and working environment at the Apache Point Observatory (APO) in Sunspot, NM.

Position Details

Position Title: Mechanical Engineer

College/Division: Arts and Sciences College

Department: 330300-ASTRONOMY

Location: Remote

Offsite Location (if applicable): Sunspot, NM

Target Hourly/Salary Rate: $59,965.78

Appointment Full-time Equivalency: 1.0

FLSA Status: Exempt

Bargaining Unit Announcement: This is NOT a bargaining unit position with American Federation of State, County & Municipal Employees (AFSCME).

Contingent Upon Funding: Contingent upon external funding

Standard Work Schedule: Shift: Other Shift

If Not a Standard Work Schedule: Monday - Friday 7am - 4pm. May require on-call support, Monday – Sunday 8pm to 6am, night shift, afternoons, weekends or holidays may be required. 

Job Duties and Responsibilities: This is an entry-level engineering position supporting the ARC 3.5m Telescope. The engineer will work under the direction of the Engineering Supervisor as a member of the 3.5m Engineering team.

Responsibilities include daily engineering support for telescope, instrument, and facility operations, including maintenance, troubleshooting, repairs, and preventative maintenance. The position will also assist with summer shutdown activities, equipment servicing, optics handling support, and instrument maintenance. The engineer will help identify potential engineering upgrades and improvements, assist with basic CAD design and modeling, and coordinate with engineering staff, machinists, or outside vendors to fabricate simple parts. This position will also support efforts to maintain and improve telescope-related facilities and infrastructure. Additional responsibilities include assisting with engineering documentation, drawings, models, assemblies, and procedures; participating in meetings and design reviews; providing regular status updates; and supporting project schedules as assigned.

Qualifications

Required Education and Experience: 
Associate's Degree + 4 years of relevant experience or a Bachelor's degree + 2 years of relevant experience.

Equivalent Qualifications: 

Preferred Qualifications: 
Preference given to Degrees in Mechanical, Optomechanical, or Aerospace fields. Preferred experience working at an Astronomical Observatory with a 1-meter or larger telescope.

Special Certification/Licensure: 

Working Conditions and Physical Effort

Environment: Work involves moderate exposure to unusual elements, such as extreme temperatures, dirt, dust, fumes, smoke, unpleasant odors, and/or loud noises.

Physical Effort: Moderate physical activity.

Lifting Requirements: Requires handling of average-weight objects up to 25 pounds or standing and/or walking for more than four (4) hours per day.

Risk: Work environment involves some exposure to hazards or physical risks, which require following basic safety precautions.