Deputy Project Engineer

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Job Summary

The Deputy Project Engineer will be a key technical leader in the design and construction of the DSA-2000, the most advanced imaging radio telescope in the world. Working in close partnership with the Lead Project Engineer, your role is to be the primary executor and facilitator of the systems engineering processes that guide the project's development. You will be responsible for managing detailed technical activities across multiple subsystems, enabling the Lead Project Engineer to focus on the overarching system architecture, strategic decisions, and critical conflict resolution.

This role is crucial for ensuring the technical integrity of the system by managing subsystem maturation, resolving interface complexities, and overseeing key partner contributions. The successful applicant will help maintain intellectual control of the project solution by applying rigorous systems engineering principles to this complex, first-of-its-kind scientific instrument.

The selected applicant will be based at the Owens Valley Radio Observatory (OVRO), a world-class facility operated by Caltech for research in radio astronomy, located near Bishop in central California. They will join a team of skilled scientists and engineers who manage a range of facilities operating from meter- to millimeter wavelengths. The Observatory is in the Eastern Sierra, which affords an excellent environment for outdoor activities, including hiking, fishing, and skiing. Email inquiries in regard to the application process may be sent to fkapp@caltech.edu.

Essential Job Duties

• Partner and Contractor Technical Liaison: Serve as the primary technical point of contact for key project partners and contractors. Ensure their work remains aligned with the project's architectural vision and system requirements, continually communicating and protecting the technical baseline.
• Antenna Station Subsystem Oversight: Provide dedicated systems engineering oversight for the complex Antenna Station (AST) subsystem. Manage the integrated construction plan, facilitate design trade-offs between internal and external teams, and ensure the subsystem meets its performance, cost, and schedule targets.
• Technical Analysis and Trade Studies: Conduct and lead technical deep dives and trade studies as directed by the Lead Project Engineer. Manage the analytical process, evaluate options against system-level criteria, and present clear recommendations to project leadership to resolve key design decisions.
• Interface Control Facilitation: Actively manage and facilitate the interface control process. Coordinate technical exchanges between subsystem teams, drive interface agreements to closure, and ensure all interface documentation is kept current and consistent.
• System Verification and Validation (V&V): Support the execution of the system V&V program. Develop detailed verification plans, coordinate test events with subsystem teams, and oversee the documentation of test results to demonstrate compliance with system requirements.
• Technical Risk Management: Manage the detailed technical risk register for the project. Track subsystem-level risks, facilitate mitigation planning with the engineering teams, and provide regular updates to project leadership.
• Subsystem Design and Review: Coordinate the maturation of subsystem designs and the associated documentation. Ensure that subsystem design reviews are conducted effectively, that entry and exit criteria are met, and that all action items are tracked to closure.
• Technical Information Management: Manage the compilation and control of technical information for procurements and major project reviews, coordinating closely with the Project Manager and Lead Project Engineer.

Basic Qualifications

• A bachelor's or higher degree in engineering or a related physical sciences field.
• At least five years' experience working in an engineering role within a large, complex, integrated project.

Preferred Qualifications

• A master's degree in a relevant science or engineering field (e.g., Systems Engineering, Physics, Engineering Management).
• Demonstrated experience serving as a primary technical interface with external partners, contractors, or vendors on complex development projects.
• Experience in technology domains related to radio astronomy, such as electromagnetics, RF, digital signal processing, mechanical, software, and civil engineering.
• Experience working across multiple life-cycle phases including design, qualification, industrialization, production, construction, and transition to operations
• Experience implementing and managing technical risk registers and system verification programs.
• Familiarity with radio astronomy instrumentation and techniques.
• Proven ability to lead and conduct formal trade studies and document results for a technical audience.
• Experience with collaboration applications (e.g., Slack, Microsoft Teams, Atlassian Jira) and project management software.
• Excellent English written and oral communication skills, and the ability to work effectively with a diverse team of engineers, technicians, scientists, and other stakeholders.

Required Documents

• Resume
• Cover letter.