University of California, Berkeley
Aerospace Optical Systems Engineer (0346U), Space Sciences Laboratory - #81935
University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, California, United States, 94709
Aerospace Optical Systems Engineer (0346U), Space Sciences Laboratory - 81935
At the University of California, Berkeley, we are dedicated to fostering a community where everyone feels welcome and can thrive. Our culture of openness, freedom and belonging makes it a special place for students, faculty and staff. As a world-leading institution, Berkeley is known for its academic and research excellence, public mission, diverse student body, and commitment to equity and social justice. We encourage applicants who reflect California's diversity and want to be part of an inclusive, equity-focused community that views education as a matter of social justice.
Departmental Overview The Space Sciences Laboratory (SSL) is an Organized Research Unit of the Berkeley campus reporting to the Vice Chancellor for Research. SSL's primary goal is to foster research in space-related sciences and to provide education for the next generation of space scientists. Research at SSL focuses on experiments and observations carried out in space as well as theoretical and basic research.
Position Summary This position requires an opto-mechanical engineer with experience designing opto-mechanical systems for spectrographs, cameras, and spaceflight mechanisms such as filter wheels, as well as assembling and bonding spaceflight optics into mounts. Opto-mechanical systems may include ground-based and spaceflight instrumentation. Experience developing and assembling mounts for optical elements up to 1 meter in diameter is preferred. Engineering activities include development of CAD-based opto-mechanical systems, characterizing mounts through finite element modelling (FEM), and laboratory assembly/alignment of opto-mechanical systems. Collaborative activities include frequent interaction with team engineers and management, working to meet science requirements while maintaining engineering integrity.
Application Review Date The first review date for this job is October 30, 2025. This position will remain open until filled and applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis.
Responsibilities
Leads development of CAD-based opto-mechanical studies for proposals and implementation for UV Imagers.
Responsible for leading the overall opto-mechanical effort, including mirror mount design/analysis, primary structure design, and oversight of opto-mechanical mechanisms.
Collaborates with optical engineers to ensure the opto-mechanical design follows fabrication guidelines and can be assembled and aligned within project schedule constraints.
Plans, organizes and supervises lower-level engineers and technical staff engaged in design, construction and testing of space flight instruments.
Responsible for developing plans and procedures required to assemble precision opto-mechanical systems.
Systems engineering responsibility to ensure the effective design and integration of all components and engineering fields such as optomechanical.
Ensures that opto-mechanical design supports overall optical requirements and can achieve desired performance specifications.
Develops detailed drawings and specifications for optics, optical assemblies, metering structures, and opto-mechanical mechanisms.
Works with optical engineers and vendors to obtain optimal solutions.
Integrates the activities of multiple sub-specialties of one of the Aerospace Engineering disciplines or covering several engineering specialties.
Leads the overall mechanical assembly and integration of a spaceflight instrument or large ground-based instrument (>$20M).
Carries major responsibility for accomplishment of research objectives in relationships with investigators, contractors, and Campus staff.
Works with project management in meeting technical requirements within schedule and budget; revises the design and verification as needed; provides all design and verification data to project leadership for integration to the spacecraft.
May lead a team of lower-level professional engineers and technicians.
Required Qualifications
Advanced skills in the planning, development, and construction of space systems, including one successful complex space instrument from concept development through launch.
Experience leading an opto-mechanical design effort from concept definition to component delivery is expected.
Advanced knowledge and experience using mechanical CAD (SolidWorks), as well as finite element analysis (FEA).
Experience designing and analyzing optical mounts for relevant environments (vibration, shock, and thermal) in addition to optical performance (induced wavefront error, STOP, etc.).
Experience with Optical design software such as Zemax OpticStudio or Code V.
Advanced systems knowledge to effectively integrate multiple engineering fields.
Experience in being responsible for mechanical integration of a space flight instrument or facility class ground-based instrument.
Skills in project management to include organization, planning, quality assurance, contamination control and scheduling.
Skills in supervising staff and establishing work objectives.
Advanced degree in related area and/or equivalent experience/training.
Preferred Qualifications
Advanced skills in the planning, development, and construction of space systems, including one successful complex space instrument from concept development through launch in the UV region.
Experience supporting either a NASA explorers class mission, or a facility class instrument for a large ground-based observatory.
Post-graduate level course work in related area.
Salary & Benefits For information on the comprehensive benefits package offered by the University, please visit the University of California's Compensation & Benefits website.
Under California law, the University of California, Berkeley is required to provide a reasonable estimate of the compensation range for this role and should not offer a salary outside of the range posted in this job announcement. The budgeted annual salary range that the University reasonably expects to pay for this position is $180,000.00 - $230,000.00. The full range for this classification is $138,200.00 - $271,200.00.
This is an exempt, monthly-paid position.
How to Apply
To apply, please submit your resume and cover letter.
Other Information
This is not a visa opportunity.
Conviction History Background This is a designated position requiring fingerprinting and a background check due to the nature of the job responsibilities. Berkeley does hire people with conviction histories and reviews information received in the context of the job responsibilities. The University reserves the right to make employment contingent upon successful completion of the background check.
Equal Employment Opportunity The University of California is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, protected veteran status, or other protected status under state or federal law.
To apply, visit https://careerspub.universityofcalifornia.edu/psc/ucb/EMPLOYEE/HRMS/c/HRS_HRAM_FL.HRS_CG_SEARCH_FL.GBL?Page=HRS_APP_JBPST_FL&JobOpeningId=81935&PostingSeq=1&SiteId=21&languageCd=ENG&FOCUS=Applicant
#J-18808-Ljbffr
Departmental Overview The Space Sciences Laboratory (SSL) is an Organized Research Unit of the Berkeley campus reporting to the Vice Chancellor for Research. SSL's primary goal is to foster research in space-related sciences and to provide education for the next generation of space scientists. Research at SSL focuses on experiments and observations carried out in space as well as theoretical and basic research.
Position Summary This position requires an opto-mechanical engineer with experience designing opto-mechanical systems for spectrographs, cameras, and spaceflight mechanisms such as filter wheels, as well as assembling and bonding spaceflight optics into mounts. Opto-mechanical systems may include ground-based and spaceflight instrumentation. Experience developing and assembling mounts for optical elements up to 1 meter in diameter is preferred. Engineering activities include development of CAD-based opto-mechanical systems, characterizing mounts through finite element modelling (FEM), and laboratory assembly/alignment of opto-mechanical systems. Collaborative activities include frequent interaction with team engineers and management, working to meet science requirements while maintaining engineering integrity.
Application Review Date The first review date for this job is October 30, 2025. This position will remain open until filled and applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis.
Responsibilities
Leads development of CAD-based opto-mechanical studies for proposals and implementation for UV Imagers.
Responsible for leading the overall opto-mechanical effort, including mirror mount design/analysis, primary structure design, and oversight of opto-mechanical mechanisms.
Collaborates with optical engineers to ensure the opto-mechanical design follows fabrication guidelines and can be assembled and aligned within project schedule constraints.
Plans, organizes and supervises lower-level engineers and technical staff engaged in design, construction and testing of space flight instruments.
Responsible for developing plans and procedures required to assemble precision opto-mechanical systems.
Systems engineering responsibility to ensure the effective design and integration of all components and engineering fields such as optomechanical.
Ensures that opto-mechanical design supports overall optical requirements and can achieve desired performance specifications.
Develops detailed drawings and specifications for optics, optical assemblies, metering structures, and opto-mechanical mechanisms.
Works with optical engineers and vendors to obtain optimal solutions.
Integrates the activities of multiple sub-specialties of one of the Aerospace Engineering disciplines or covering several engineering specialties.
Leads the overall mechanical assembly and integration of a spaceflight instrument or large ground-based instrument (>$20M).
Carries major responsibility for accomplishment of research objectives in relationships with investigators, contractors, and Campus staff.
Works with project management in meeting technical requirements within schedule and budget; revises the design and verification as needed; provides all design and verification data to project leadership for integration to the spacecraft.
May lead a team of lower-level professional engineers and technicians.
Required Qualifications
Advanced skills in the planning, development, and construction of space systems, including one successful complex space instrument from concept development through launch.
Experience leading an opto-mechanical design effort from concept definition to component delivery is expected.
Advanced knowledge and experience using mechanical CAD (SolidWorks), as well as finite element analysis (FEA).
Experience designing and analyzing optical mounts for relevant environments (vibration, shock, and thermal) in addition to optical performance (induced wavefront error, STOP, etc.).
Experience with Optical design software such as Zemax OpticStudio or Code V.
Advanced systems knowledge to effectively integrate multiple engineering fields.
Experience in being responsible for mechanical integration of a space flight instrument or facility class ground-based instrument.
Skills in project management to include organization, planning, quality assurance, contamination control and scheduling.
Skills in supervising staff and establishing work objectives.
Advanced degree in related area and/or equivalent experience/training.
Preferred Qualifications
Advanced skills in the planning, development, and construction of space systems, including one successful complex space instrument from concept development through launch in the UV region.
Experience supporting either a NASA explorers class mission, or a facility class instrument for a large ground-based observatory.
Post-graduate level course work in related area.
Salary & Benefits For information on the comprehensive benefits package offered by the University, please visit the University of California's Compensation & Benefits website.
Under California law, the University of California, Berkeley is required to provide a reasonable estimate of the compensation range for this role and should not offer a salary outside of the range posted in this job announcement. The budgeted annual salary range that the University reasonably expects to pay for this position is $180,000.00 - $230,000.00. The full range for this classification is $138,200.00 - $271,200.00.
This is an exempt, monthly-paid position.
How to Apply
To apply, please submit your resume and cover letter.
Other Information
This is not a visa opportunity.
Conviction History Background This is a designated position requiring fingerprinting and a background check due to the nature of the job responsibilities. Berkeley does hire people with conviction histories and reviews information received in the context of the job responsibilities. The University reserves the right to make employment contingent upon successful completion of the background check.
Equal Employment Opportunity The University of California is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, protected veteran status, or other protected status under state or federal law.
To apply, visit https://careerspub.universityofcalifornia.edu/psc/ucb/EMPLOYEE/HRMS/c/HRS_HRAM_FL.HRS_CG_SEARCH_FL.GBL?Page=HRS_APP_JBPST_FL&JobOpeningId=81935&PostingSeq=1&SiteId=21&languageCd=ENG&FOCUS=Applicant
#J-18808-Ljbffr