Caltech is a world-renowned science and engineering institute that marshals some of the world's brightest minds and most innovative tools to address fundamental scientific questions. We thrive on finding and cultivating talented people who are passionate about what they do. Join us and be a part of the diverse Caltech community.
Job Summary
Caltech Optical Observatories is seeking an early-career Electrical Engineer to join an enthusiastic and creative electronics team within the multidisciplinary Optical/Infrared (OIR) instrumentation group. While fostering a community of respect, learning, and individual growth, the OIR group designs, fabricates, and commissions astronomical instrumentation systems for Palomar, Gemini, Keck Observatories, and the planned Thirty Meter Telescope, as well as developing telescopes in space and the Antarctic. With mentorship from internationally recognized experts, the candidate will contribute to electronic subsystems within state-of-the-art optical and infrared imaging systems and spectrographs to be deployed at the most advanced observatories conducting research in astronomy, cosmology, and planetary science. Duties will include analog and digital design of low noise data acquisition systems, telemetry, signal transmission and processing, thermal controls, motor drives for precision and/or cryogenic mechanisms, procurement, integration, performance characterization, and commissioning as part of a multidisciplinary team of engineers and scientists.
Previous and anticipated projects include deployment of ultraviolet, optical, and near-infrared detectors in large-format mosaics requiring rapid readout, spectrograph detector systems demanding exquisite noise performance, and fast-frame-rate detectors for adaptive optics (wavefront sensing in both optical and NIR). Our group has received NSF grants to support the development of large format quantizing CCDs which do not suffer from the unacceptable readout time of previous implementations. Additionally, the COO team conducts basic research into phenomena affecting the feasibility or design of future space missions and large telescopes, including how device physics limits measurement accuracy. The electronics team has developed novel device characterization and calibration methods to mitigate these sources of systematic errors.
Essential Job Duties
Basic Qualifications
Preferred Qualifications
Required Documents
$77,000 - $115,400 Per Year
The salary of the finalist(s) selected for this role will be set based on a variety of factors, including but not limited to, internal equity, experience, education, specialty and training.
As one of the largest employers in Pasadena, CA, Caltech is committed to providing comprehensive benefits to eligible employees and their eligible dependents. Our benefits package includes competitive compensation, health, dental, and vision insurance, retirement savings plans, generous paid time off (vacation, holidays, sick time, parental leave, bereavement, etc.), tuition reimbursement, and more. Non-benefit eligible employees will have access to some benefits such as onsite counseling and sick time. Learn more about our and .
We are an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, or national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.
Caltech is a VEVRAA Federal Contractor.
To read more Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) go to eeoc_self_print_poster.pdf.
If you would like to request an accommodation in completing this application, interviewing, or otherwise participating in the employee selection process, please direct your inquiries to Caltech Recruiting at .