TITLE: Electronics Engineer, GS-855-14/15, $99,347 to $149,000/year
TYPE OF POSITION: Federal Career Conditional/Career Appointment
DIVISION: - Radio and Geoastronomy Division, Submillimeter Array Project
LOCATION: Cambridge, Massachusetts

Management reserves the right to select at either grade level. If selected at the GS-14 level, subsequent promotion is subject to approval of a peer review committee.

SPECIAL CONDITION OF EMPLOYMENT: Selectee will be required to pass a physical examination to determine ability to perform work at high altitude prior to employment.

AREA OF CONSIDERATION: All sources. No Federal service is required. US Citizenship is required. External and internal applicants may apply. External applicants will be rated and ranked by the Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory Delegated Examining Unit with appropriate consideration to veterans’ preference. Current Federal employees applying under this announcement, or former employees with reinstatement eligibility (status candidates), will be considered under SAO’s internal merit promotion procedures. Two applications must be filed if these candidates also wish to be considered under external procedures. Veterans who are preference eligibles or who have been separated from the armed forces under honorable conditions after 3 years or more of continuous active service will be considered under external procedures. Two applications must be filed if veterans also wish to be considered under internal procedures. If only one application is submitted, the only consideration will be under external procedures.

INTRODUCTION: We are seeking an outstanding Electronics Engineer to work on the Submillimeter Array Project. The Submillimeter Array (SMA) is a collaboration between the Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory and the Academia Sinica Institute for Astronomy and Astrophysics (ASIAA) of Taiwan. It is the world’s first submillimeter interferometer and is designed for observations in the major atmospheric windows from 180GHz to 900GHz. SAO and ASIAA are currently adding receivers to include the 320 – 420 GHz frequency range, which will enable dual-polarization operation near 350 GHz. Developments underway include a doubling of the array bandwidth for single-receiver operation; upgrades to 650 GHz receiver sensitivity; extension of current polarimetry capabilities and the addition of a second set of 650 GHz receivers for dual polarized operation across this band. Looking forward, the SMA group is extremely interested in improving the sensitivity of the SMA at all wavelengths and assessing scientific opportunities enabled by enhancements to the SMA such as extending interferometric observations down to 200 microns.

DUTIES: At the GS-14 level : Duties include but are not limited to the following: Lead the production, testing, installation and commissioning of receiver instrumentation for the SMA; develop production schedules and allocate lab resources to meet observatory goals; design, develop and implement a series of test procedures and measurements to determine sensitivity and noise, amplitude and phase stability, gain compression, and spectral response of SMA receivers currently under development; develop a set of test procedures to enable a rapid assessment of receiver instrumentation already deployed at the observatory site to enable efficient use of the array; lead the development of receiver control hardware and software algorithms to better enable efficient remote control and optimization of receiver performance by the SMA operations staff ahead of scheduled science observations with the array; coordinate and further develop a test program to verify overall SMA performance and instrument readiness ahead of nightly scientific observations; participate in weekly testing and status meetings to determine observational effectiveness and make recommendations for improvement; organize review meetings to evaluate the performance of the SMA in relation to other interferometers and submillimeter facilities such as the Plateau de Bure, CARMA, ALMA, the JCMT and the CSO; and make recommendations for upgrades to SMA instrumentation to enable state- of-the-art scientific observation; advance the state-of-the-art of superconducting heterodyne receiver technology through the design of sideband-separating Superconductor-Insulator-Superconductor mixers, and push the development and field-testing of wide-bandwidth Hot-Electron-Bolometer mixers for eventual use on the SMA and other telescopes in the Terahertz spectral regime; identify, define and select specific areas of scientific opportunity, and formulate and conduct independent observational investigations in order to guide technical developments at the SMA; supervise or guide research activities of students, scientific, and technical personnel supporting the development of instrumentation and subsystems for the array; serve as an expert in millimeter and submillimeter technology on a variety of internal, national and international committees, and act as consultant to other national and international facilities and prepare results of research and developments for publication in professional journals, for presentation at engineering or scientific conferences and technical symposia. Participate in technical meetings and conferences in order to discuss ongoing research with technical and scientific colleagues to advocate for new research and development initiatives.

At the GS-15 level: Duties as described above except the incumbent will direct the design, development, testing, and installation and commissioning of receiver instrumentation for the SMA, develop production schedules and allocating lab resources to meet observatory goals and provide technical leadership to a group of engineers and technical staff to ensure that instrumentation developed in the submillimeter receiver lab meets required specifications. The incumbent will also initiate design, development and implementation of a series of test procedures and measurements to determine sensitivity and noise, amplitude and phase stability, gain compression, and spectral response of SMA receivers currently under development; oversee the advancement of state-of-the-art of superconducting heterodyne receiver technology through the design of sideband-separating Superconductor- Insulator-Superconductor mixers, and push the development and field-testing of wide-bandwidth Hot-Electron- Bolometer mixers for eventual use on the SMA and other telescopes in the Terahertz spectral regime; provide guidance and assistance to the research activities of work performed by students and technical personnel supporting the development of instrumentation and subsystems for the array, serve on a variety of internal committees; as an internationally recognized technical expert, serve as an organizational resource in millimeter and submillimeter technology. The incumbent will serve on a variety of internal, national and international committees, and act as consultant to other national and international facilities; prepare results of research and developments for publication in professional journals, for presentation at engineering or scientific conferences and technical symposia and write technical papers recording innovative design techniques and criteria.

QUALIFICATIONS : Basic qualification can be found at https://www.opm.gov/qualifications/SEC-IV/A/GS-PROF.asp and https://www.opm.gov/qualifications/SEC-IV/B/GS0800/0800.htm.
For the GS-14 level - Candidates must possess one year of specialized experience at least equivalent to the grade 13 level. Specialized experience is experience designing superconducting heterodyne mixers and receiver systems for astronomical engineering projects coupled with broad professional knowledge of millimeter and submillimeter instrumentation as applied to radio astronomy as evidenced by a Ph.D. in a relevant area (Physics or Astrophysics and appropriate engineering experience); or by a Ph.D. in Electrical or Electronic Engineering and expert knowledge of millimeter or submillimeter techniques or comparable professional experience. For the GS 15 level - Candidates must possess one year of specialized experience at least equivalent to the grade 14 level. Specialized experience is experience managing astronomical engineering projects with millimeter and submillimeter instrumentation coupled with broad professional knowledge of millimeter and submillimeter instrumentation as applied to radio astronomy as evidenced by a Ph.D. in a relevant area (Physics or Astrophysics and appropriate engineering experience); or by a Ph.D. in Electrical or Electronic Engineering and expert knowledge of millimeter or submillimeter techniques or comparable professional experience.

In addition, qualified candidates at both grade levels will be rated based upon the following knowledge, skills and abilities:

Mastery of the advanced concepts, principals and practices of electronic engineering in order to direct the development, testing and evaluation, and delivery of complex heterodyne receiver systems for field use.

Mastery of the advanced concepts, principles and practices of systems engineering, particularly as they apply to astrophysical instrumentation projects, so as to be able to provide expert consultative and coordinative services in such specialized areas as: the full-wave analysis of submillimeter optical systems, solid-state electronics, low- temperature superconducting circuitry, microwave, millimeter and submillimeter systems, local oscillator systems, vacuum and cryogenic systems, sophisticated computer modeling, documentation, proposal preparation, and fabrication and test activities required for the development of state-of-the-art scientific instrumentation.

Experience with and demonstrated ability to design superconducting mixers, submillimeter receiver instrumentation and associated heterodyne receiver subsystems. The ability to design, debug, and field complex superconducting receiver systems for astronomical use.

The ability to conceive and develop analytical and evaluation tools to utilize modern computer techniques to develop control software and apply it to the solution of complex technical problems.

The ability to communicate effectively, and to work independently, and as an integral member of a diverse team of scientists, engineers and technical staff. The incumbent must also possess good organizational skills and the ability to develop and present persuasive proposals for new instrument concepts to potential funding sources and peer review panels.

Experience with and skill in preparing and presenting engineering and scientific results to technical and scientific meetings and seminars, and in the preparation of scientific papers for publication.

Demonstrated ability to accurately define the scope of engineering projects, and to generate realistic project budgets and schedules; and have the ability to work effectively on multiple projects simultaneously.

Candidates at the GS-15 level will be also rated based upon the following additional knowledge, skills and abilities:

Advanced knowledge of electronic engineering in order to direct the development, testing, evaluation, and delivery of complex heterodyne receiver systems for field use.

Ability to make substantive contributions in a wide range of complex technical situations from the conceptual development of advanced instruments, through the design, fabrication, and test of working hardware, to the troubleshooting of technical issues in the operating instrument.

Cognizance and the ability to apply, new technological developments and experimental theories to solve complex design problems not readily tractable by accepted methods.

Ability to conceive and develop original analytical and evaluation tools and to apply them to the solution of complex technical problems

Ability to work effectively both independently, and as an integral member of a diverse team of engineers and scientists, and to coordinate the work of a diverse technical team,

BASIS OF RATING: Clearly describe in your resume or application your work experience, education and/or training as it relates to this vacancy and the knowledge, skills and abilities identified above. The information you provide will be evaluated to determine whether you meet the specialized experience requirement and are therefore qualified for this position and the degree to which you possess the identified knowledge, skills, and abilities. It is to your benefit to fully describe your experience and education/training relative to the job requirements of this vacancy. Your application may not receive proper consideration if you do not provide adequate information.

NOTE: All new employees are subject to background checks, including fingerprinting. New employees are subject to a one-year probationary period. SAO provides reasonable accommodations to applicants with disabilities. If reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and/or hiring process is required, please notify us. The decision on granting reasonable accommodation will be made on a case-by-case basis. Exceptionally qualified candidates may be eligible for a recruitment bonus. Selectee is required to file a confidential Statement of Employment and Financial Interests.

VETERANS: Applicants claiming entitlement to veteran’s preference must include a copy of their DD214. Applicants claiming entitlement to 10-point veterans’ preference must also submit an SF-15 form with the required documentary proof. A copy of DD 214 or other official documentation is required by the closing date of the announcement and may be faxed to 617-495-7263, please ensure the vacancy announcement number is included on the documents.

APPLICATION PROCEDURE: Interested candidates should submit to Recruiter #456 at the address below or to saoresumes@cfa.harvard.edu. a curriculum vita and bibliography, statement of interest, experience statement regarding the knowledge, skills and abilities identified and three professional letters of recommendation. Application packages should contain the announcement number, full legal name, mailing address with zip code, day and evening telephone numbers, and Social Security Number. Current Federal employees should submit a copy of their most recent performance appraisal, Standard Form 50 and information concerning any awards they received during their service, if possible. We cannot accept application materials mailed in government franked envelopes. Applications must be received by July 30, 2008. Please be sure to reference Job Posting #28-20. In addition, job finalists will be asked to complete a Declaration for Federal Employment to determine their suitability for Federal employment.

Please complete the Applicant Survey Form, which is used to collect information from candidates during the search process to evaluate the effectiveness of the Institution's search and recruit efforts. Please print all responses. The information provided is not a part of the selection process and will be used for statistical purposes only. Your voluntary responses will have no effect on your consideration.

The Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory and the Federal Government are both EEO/Affirmative Action Employers

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Mailing address:
Recruiter 456 (JP#28-20)
Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory
60 Garden Street, MS 17
Cambridge, MA 02138