Job Posting Title: HET Electrical Engineer Hiring Department: McDonald Observatory Position Open To: All Applicants Weekly Scheduled Hours: 40 FLSA Status: Exempt Earliest Start Date: Immediately Position Duration: Expected to Continue Location: MCDONALD OBSERVATORY Job Details: General Notes This position is for an electrical engineer at the McDonald Observatory, Hobby-Eberly Telescope (HET), which operates on a 24/7 schedule. The Observatory is a major astronomical research observatory located 16 miles from Fort Davis, Texas (440 miles from the UT Austin campus). This position may be expected to work at all hours of the day or night, weekends, or holidays (when needed and within limits) to serve the scientific needs of the Observatory and, specifically, the HET. Residence in the Observatory's residential community may be available and required. Position may be subject to "call-back" as an essential employee for emergency or critical response. Must be eligible to work in the US full-time for any employer without sponsorship The engineering work from this position will apply to a wide range of disciplines, including mechanical, optical, electronic, vacuum, cryogenic, and software engineering, used together to build state-of-the-art research instrumentation for astronomy. The research with those instruments includes the discovery and characterization of exoplanets, understanding how the elements and their various isotopes were formed, understanding how the successive generations of stars have changed the chemical composition of the universe, understanding the mechanisms that alter the galaxies with time, and understanding the history of the expansion of the universe itself. The University of Texas at Austin provides an outstanding benefits package to staff, including: Competitive health benefits (Employee premiums covered at 100%; family premiums at 50%) Vision, dental, life, and disability insurance options Paid vacation, sick leave, and holidays Teachers Retirement System of Texas (a defined benefit retirement plan) Additional voluntary retirement programs: tax-sheltered annuity 403(b) and a deferred compensation program 457(b) Flexible spending account options for medical and childcare expenses For more details, please see and Purpose This position performs electrical engineering tasks on the Hobby-Eberly Telescope's (HET) equipment and facility infrastructure, with a wide latitude for independent action and decision-making. This hands-on position maintains, designs, and improves the functionality of electrical, electronic, electromechanical, and electro-optical subsystems on the Hobby-Eberly Telescope (HET) to achieve McDonald Observatory's scientific goals. The position reports to the HET Electrical Engineer Manager at McDonald Observatory. Responsibilities Engineering. Conducts electrical engineering duties that modify, repair, or reconfigure the HET electrical, electro-optical, and electro-mechanical subsystems. Team Collaboration and Backup. Works cooperatively and constructively with the HET and Austin electrical and mechanical teams on design, improvements, and preventative maintenan on HET electrical, electro-mechanical, and electro-optical subsystems. Periodically performs operations engineering and cross-functional duties. Planning Meetings. Attends and constructively participates in morning planning meetings, weekly HET staff meetings, weekly electrical team meetings, periodic technical and/or design review meetings, and other meetings as needed for an efficient and productive operation. Project Management. Provides input into long-term planning and technical direction for HET engineering tasks. Provides daily reporting of activities. Respond to Problems. Responds as necessary to night-time repair and maintenance calls from telescope operations staff. Other Duties. Performs other related duties as assigned to meet business needs. Serves as an essential employee, and acts as a member of the McDonald Observatory's Emergency Response Team (ERT), responds to fire, medical, hazardous material, or other emergencies that threaten or interfere with the facility's normal operations Required Qualifications Bachelor's degree in electrical engineering or related field to the work performed and four (4) years of related experience, or master's degree in electrical engineering or related field and two (2) years of related experience. Experience with engineering and/or scientific equipment ordinarily used in a lab setting on electrical, mechanical, optical, and electronic assemblies used in research. Experience and knowledge of engineering and scientific methods in research, design, assembly, and commissioning of precision instrumentation. Experience using or designing specialized research equipment as required by the research project. Ability to do hands-on work to repair and refurbish existing electrical and electronic equipment and to design and build new systems from scratch. Effective organizational skills. Ability to be adaptable, work independently, and be an integral project team member. Demonstrable good judgment. Demonstrated ability to show tenacity and be nimble. Highly effective communication skills (written, verbal, interpersonal). Demonstrated emotional intelligence. Ability to think strategically and creatively and work well under pressure. Project management skills. Ability to use discretion and maintain integrity and professionalism. Relevant education and experience may be substituted as appropriate. Preferred Qualifications Master's degree in electrical engineering with six (6) years' work experience in a related field, or bachelor's degree in electrical engineering with eight (8) years of experience in a related field. Knowledge and/or working experience in motion control systems and industrial controls. Knowledge of electrical code and industry standards for control systems, enclosures, and rotating equipment. Knowledge and experience designing and maintaining electronics at the board and component level. Skills sets include printed circuit board (PCB) design, the ability to design, build, and program programmable logic computer (PLC) systems, and experience with astronomical instrumentation. Project management training and/or experience. Driving Required This job requires a class "C" operator's driver's license. The applicant selected must provide a current three-year driving record from the current state of residence. If not currently a Texas resident, a Texas driver's license must be obtained within 30 days of becoming a Texas resident. Salary $80,000+ depending on qualifications and experience Working Conditions Since we are a 24/7 operation, this position, on occasion, is expected to respond to problems and business needs relating to the telescope outside of regular work hours (nights, weekends, and holidays) to serve the needs of the Observatory and, specifically, the HET. Residence in the Observatory's residential community may be available and required. The position may be subject to "call-back" as an essential emergency or critical response employee. Must be eligible to work in the US full-time for any employer without sponsorship. Working at a computer, including repetitive keyboard use at a workstation. Use of manual dexterity. Climbing of stairs and ladders up to 90 ft. Working at height above ground using man lifts to 150 ft. Free climbing on and around heavy equipment at and above ground level. Heavy lifting and moving (must be able to lift 35 lbs.). Working in potentially hazardous chemicals, cryogenic liquids, and chemical fumes environments. May work around electrical and mechanical hazards. May require working extended hours in inclement weather with hazardous equipment or materials. Use of approved safety equipment is required, including climbing safety equipment. May be required to undergo respirator fit testing and periodic training for the use of safety equipment. Acts as a senior member of the Observatory's Emergency Response Team that responds to fire, medical, hazardous material, or other emergencies threatening or interfering with the facility's normal operations. Handles emergencies calmly and quickly. Staff on-site in the residential community may serve as essential employees as determined by your manager. McDonald Observatory is located approximately 6800 feet above sea level. Environmental conditions can be unpredictable, and temperatures can range from -10 F and F. Inclement winter weather can be expected, which requires being comfortable driving in wintry conditions on mountain grades. Work Shift Generally, M-F, 8 am - 5 pm. Flexibility is essential, given that we operate 24/7/365. Required to respond to problems outside regular business hours. Required Materials Letter of Interest Resume/CV Three (3) work references with their contact information; at least one reference should be from a supervisor Important for applicants who are NOT current university employees or contingent workers: You will be prompted to submit your resume the first time you apply, and then you will be provided an option to upload a new Resume for subsequent applications. Any additional Required Materials (letter of interest, references, etc.) will be uploaded to the Application Questions section; you can multi-select additional files. Before submitting your online job application, ensure that ALL Required Materials have been uploaded. Once your job application has been submitted, you cannot make changes. Important for current university employees and contingent workers: As a current university employee or contingent worker, you MUST apply within Workday by searching for Find UT Jobs. If you are a current University employee, log in to Workday, navigate to your Worker Profile . click apply for full job details