Division Head, VLA Engineering Services (4952) - Associated Universities, Inc.

Position Description:

Position Summary

The National Radio Astronomy Observatory (NRAO) is seeking a motivated and skilled person to lead the Engineering Services Division at the Very Large Array, 50 miles west of Socorro, New Mexico. The National Radio Astronomy Observatory (NRAO) is a diverse, exciting, and prestigious research facility that plays a vital role in the study of the universe. The Observatory operates a variety of radio telescopes that span the globe, including the famous Very Large Array (VLA) in New Mexico, the Green Bank Telescope in West Virginia, and the Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array (ALMA) in Chile. These telescopes are among the most advanced in the world, allowing astronomers to explore the universe in unprecedented detail.

The Engineering Services Division Head oversees approximately 45 employees, various operations and upgrade projects, and a multi-million-dollar budget. This division provides all heavy engineering support for VLA and VLBA antennas, VLA railroad track, and VLA antenna transporters, as well as maintaining the VLA grounds, buildings, site infrastructure, and vehicles. The division overhauls numerous VLA antennas every year, and comprises a critical part of the teams performing major maintenance campaigns at Very Long Baseline Array sites, located around the country, each year.

What You Will be Doing:

The Division Head develops and administers the division’s budgets, policies, procedures and practices necessary to achieve the assigned goals of the division. The duties and responsibilities include but are not limited to:

●        Managing the VLA site, with an emphasis on engineering activities but also including coordination of activities with scientific operations and Education & Public Outreach staff.

●        Developing, coordinating, and maintaining a proactive maintenance and upgrade program within the Division to minimize equipment failures and resulting telescope downtime.

●        Maintaining the Division’s operations budget, including authorizing requests for supplies and services or other purchases, and prioritizing tasks to ensure their completion within budget constraints.

●        Implementing innovative engineering solutions to complex and unique engineering problems.

●        Supervising engineers, technical specialists, technicians, and other staff to include hiring and training; planning, assigning, and evaluating work; and addressing and resolving personnel matters.

●        Carrying out supervisory responsibilities in accordance with Observatory policies and applicable law. Recommending modifications to policies when necessary.

●        Providing contributions to various reports (e.g. quarterly status updates, program operating plan, long range plan, risk register, etc.).

●        Supporting ngVLA development activities involving to the Division.

●        Interpreting, implementing, developing and/or recommending changes to rules, regulations, policies and procedures set forth by the Observatory.

●        Proactively complying with NRAO and government safety policies and procedures in Division work areas to ensure a safe working environment. 

●        Performing other duties as assigned.

Work Environment

Work is typically performed in an office and lab-based research or development environment but routinely involves outdoor work, including at heights on the 25-meter VLBA and VLBA antennas. Must be able to operate a personal computer. The duty station is at approximately 7,000’ elevation. Must be able to communicate effectively both verbally and in writing. Occasional travel will be required.

Who You Are:

●        You have a bachelor’s in mechanical engineering or in engineering disciplines closely related to NRAO’s operational environment.

●        While it is not a requirement, you may have an advanced degree in a discipline as described above.

●        You have at least seven years of relevant experience in in the duties described above, including experience in directing the staff of a facility or operations center similar to the VLA.

Competency Summary

The candidate must demonstrate experience in the following: 

●        Direction and management of both salaried engineering and hourly technical staff.

●        Maintenance and oversight of some combination of radio telescopes, facilities, medium voltage power infrastructure, and grounds.

●        Use of software and other tools to accomplish activities listed above.

●        Self-motivation and continuous improvement, problem solving skills.

●        Very strong verbal and written communication skills

Total Rewards:

The NRAO offers a comprehensive total rewards package for this position, subject to eligibility requirements. We are committed to serving our employees and their families with an extensive and competitive compensation and benefits package that supports our employees’ overall well-being and career growth.

Compensation

The NRAO strives to attract and retain dedicated, highly qualified, competent, and motivated employees by offering competitive compensation and recognition for performance.

Factors which may affect starting pay may include; education, experience, skills, competencies, other qualifications of the successful candidate, as well as internal equity and labor market conditions. 

Benefits:

NRAO’s benefits package addresses the needs of employees and their families with most benefits beginning on the first day of employment. NRAO provides excellent paid time off (13 holidays, annual accrual of up to 24 vacation days and 15 sick days, additional time off for doctor/dentist visits, and 8 weeks of paid parental leave). Medical, dental and vision plans are effective on the first day of employment. NRAO’s retirement benefit contributes an amount equal to 10 percent of a qualified participant’s base pay with no required employee contribution; we also offer an optional supplemental, tax-deferred plan for employee retirement contributions.

Application Instructions:

Select the “Apply” button. Please be prepared to upload your current CV/Resume and a cover letter describing interest and suitability for the position

Equal Opportunity Employer Statement:

AUI is an equal opportunity employer. Women, Minorities, Vietnam-Era Veterans, Disabled Veterans, Veterans and Individuals with Disabilities are encouraged to apply. To view our complete statement, please visit http://jobs.jobvite.com/nrao/jobs. If you require reasonable accommodation for any part of the application or hiring process due to a disability, you may submit your request by sending an email to resumes@nrao.edu.

The NRAO is an equal opportunity employer (M/F/D/V)