R&D Systems Engineer II (Steward Observatory)

For more than a century, Steward Observatory at the University of Arizona has advanced humanity's understanding of the universe through groundbreaking research, innovation, and education. Our collaborative team of scientists, engineers, technicians, and staff designs, builds, and operates world-class astronomical facilities that enable discoveries and inspire the next generation of explorers.

The College of Science has an exciting opportunity and is seeking an R&D Systems Engineer II to join the Steward Observatory.

The selected candidate will serve as a Systems Engineer supporting the replacement of a large ground-based telescope primary mirror and its associated telescope interfaces. This position supports systems engineering activities including requirements management, interface definition, technical compliance, system integration, verification, and project risk management throughout the project lifecycle.

The position also supports project quality assurance activities to ensure manufacturing, integration, and verification processes meet established technical and quality standards. The project is currently in the post-Critical Design Review (CDR) phase and entering fabrication, integration, verification, and commissioning activities.

This position supports a federal contract which requires that the selected candidate be a U.S. citizen (non-U.S. citizens or dual citizens cannot be considered for this position.

Visa sponsorship is not available for this position.

Outstanding UA benefits include health, dental, and vision insurance plans; life insurance and disability programs; paid vacation, sick leave, and holidays; UA/ASU/NAU tuition reduction for the employee and qualified family members; retirement plans; access to UA recreation and cultural activities; and more!

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• Support the development, maintenance, and verification of system, subsystem, and interface requirements throughout the project lifecycle.
• Assist with system integration, test planning, acceptance testing, commissioning, and technical review activities.
• Support the development and maintenance of system models, requirements models, and interface definitions using Model-Based Systems Engineering (MBSE) tools, as applicable.
• Maintain Interface Control Documents (ICDs), requirements traceability, verification and validation records, engineering change documentation, and technical baselines.
• Maintain project metrics, verification evidence, and technical documentation necessary to demonstrate technical and contractual compliance.
• Assist in implementing quality assurance plans, inspection strategies, and quality control processes to ensure compliance with project requirements and quality standards.
• Support supplier quality activities, including source inspections, First Article Inspection Reports (FAIR), acceptance reviews, and vendor assessments.
• Participate in investigations of nonconformances and quality issues, including root-cause analyses and corrective and preventive action (CAPA) activities.
• Support risk and reliability assessments, including Failure Mode and Effects Analysis (FMEA), and assist with the development and tracking of mitigation plans.
• Collaborate with scientists, engineers, technicians, suppliers, and project leadership to identify risks, resolve technical and quality issues, and support project objectives.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Knowledge of systems engineering principles, including requirements management, interface management, verification and validation, system integration, and technical baseline management.
• Knowledge of Model-Based Systems Engineering (MBSE) tools (e.g., Sparx Systems Enterprise Architect or similar) and familiarity with requirements modeling and interface management.
• Working knowledge of quality assurance methods, configuration management, engineering change control, root-cause analysis, corrective and preventive actions (CAPA), and risk assessment techniques including Failure Mode and Effects Analysis (FMEA).
• Strong analytical, organizational, communication, and collaboration skills, with the ability to work effectively across multidisciplinary engineering teams and manage multiple assignments.
• Ability to travel with the US and to US military bases.

This job posting reflects the general nature and level of work expected of the selected candidate(s). It is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all duties and responsibilities. The institution reserves the right to amend or update this description as organizational priorities and institutional needs evolve.

• Bachelor's degree in engineering, physics, mathematics, computer science, or related technical course study.
• 3 years of experience in systems engineering, quality engineering, product assurance, or a closely related technical field.
• This position supports a federal contract which requires that the selected candidate be a U.S. citizen (non-U.S. citizens or dual citizens cannot be considered for this position.

• Experience with systems engineering activities including requirements management, interface management, verification planning, acceptance testing, and technical documentation.
• Experience using MBSE tools such as Sparx Systems Enterprise Architect and supporting configuration management and engineering change control processes.
• Experience working on complex electromechanical, optical, aerospace, defense or scientific instrumentation systems, including large telescope systems, large optics, mirror fabrication, mirror support structures, or telescope interfaces.
• Experience supporting projects through fabrication, integration, verification, testing, commissioning, and/or operations.
• Experience supporting supplier quality activities, including source inspections, FAIR, acceptance reviews, and nonconformance investigations.
• Experience with quality management systems (e.g., ISO 9001 or AS9100), risk assessments, reliability analyses, root-cause investigations, and FMEA methodologies.