Information About Hawaii and Chile

The Gemini Observatory operates two forefront 8-meter telescopes, one located on Mauna Kea in Hawaii and the other on Cerro Pachon in Chile. The observatory is an international collaboration between the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, Chile, Argentina and Brazil.

Openings

Engineering

Senior Optical/Laser Engineer

• Location: Hilo, HI
• Deadline for Application: Open until filled.
• Job Code: ENG403PW

We are seeking a talented Senior Optical/Laser Engineer to support the laser guide star facility, adaptive optics and instrumentation systems, and telescope operation at the Gemini Observatory.

Responsibilities will include:
- Optical systems team leader at Gemini North: supervision of a team of 4 engineers and technicians, interface with scientific staff.
- lead and improve Laser Guide Star Facilities (LGSF) operation at Gemini North. The LGSF consists of a state-of-the art 12W solid-state 589nm laser propagated to the sky to form an artificial star.
- participate in LGSF commissioning at Gemini South (50W).
- lead optics-related operational and development projects through internal and/or contracted efforts (for example active optics and image quality improvements); providing project engineering support; providing technical representation on the purchase of optical-related equipment; preparing documentation, schedules, and maintenance procedures; participating in design reviews (in particular in the suite of new exciting instruments, some including high-tech AO systems, like GPI).

The successful candidate will have:
- BS in Optics/Laser/Engineering/Physics/related field
- knowledge of optical design, laser and their operation, analysis software applications and a minimum of 3 years optical or laser engineering experience.
- self-starter spirit with excellent leadership skills and the ability to work autonomously
- telescope or adaptive optics experience is preferred.
- ability to work with various alignment tools, electronics systems, detectors, hardware, software and optical instruments.

Must be able to work at 14,000-foot elevation, possess a valid driver’s license, have a clean driving record, and be able to drive a 4WD vehicle. Must have or be able to obtain a valid passport for international travel.

How To Apply

Senior Electronics Engineer

• Location: Hilo, HI
• Deadline for Application: open until filled
• Job Code: ENG209PW

We have an immediate opening in Hilo Hawaii, for an experienced Electronics Engineer to support electronic operations and future development. As well as supporting our operations you will be responsible for establishing and organizing a CCD/IR detector lab, as a technical centre.
Major responsibilities will include:
You will be responsible for the maintenance, troubleshooting and optimization of the controllers and optical and infrared light detector systems at both Gemini telescopes.
Additionally, the successful candidate will provide support for and engage in instrument procurement of cryogenics, vacuum, detectors and motor control systems.
On an intermittent basis the Senior Electronics Engineer will also provide managerial oversight, including but not limited to, acting as Telescope Technical Manager.

The successful candidate will have:
Bachelor’s degree in Engineering/Electronics/related field;
Advanced knowledge of astronomical instrumentation and optical and infrared detector systems; and six years relevant work experience.

Must be able to work at 14,000-foot elevation, possess a valid driver’s license, have a clean driving record, and be able to drive a 4WD vehicle. Must have or be able to obtain a valid passport for international travel.

How To Apply

Software Engineer

• Location: Hilo, HI
• Deadline for Application: open until filled
• Job Code: ENG714PW

We are currently seeking a Software Engineer to contribute to the development and maintenance of the telescope systems and instrumentation.  The successful candidate will join a dynamic, flexible and talented team of engineers supporting the operations of two of the world’s cutting-edge optical/infrared telescopes located in the northern and southern hemispheres.  The Software Engineer will actively participate in the life of the observatory, regularly interacting with engineers and science staff to design and develop new software, address faults and engage in trouble-shooting.  The primary responsibility of this position is to support operations with the remaining 20% of time devoted to new development or design of improvements.  Must be willing to work flexible hours and be on call for nighttime support.
 
Qualifications:  At least five years software engineer experience, preferably in an operational support role.  Must have excellent written and verbal communication skills and good problem-solving skills.  Previous experience within a research project is highly desirable, but not required.  Proficiency in several of the following areas is highly desirable:
·    UNIX platform development under Linux and Solaris
·    Real-time systems development under VxWorks for different target architectures (ppc, 68k, mips)
·    Software frameworks including EPICS, LabView & DRAMA
·    Low-level controls and hardware device drivers
·    User interface development in Tcl/Tk, Java or other toolkits
·    Significant development work in C
·    Data analysis in Matlab, IDL, Python or Yorick
·    Software design and coding standards

Must be able to work at a 14,000-foot altitude. Must pass high altitude physical, posses a valid driver's license, have a clean driving record, and be able to drive a 4WD vehicle. Must have, or be able to obtain, a valid passport and be willing to travel internationally, as required.
 

How To Apply

High-Level Software Engineer

• Location: Hilo, Hawaii
• Deadline for Application: open until filled
• Job Code: ENG713PW

Gemini Observatory is seeking a highly skilled and experienced software developer to become part of its High-
Level Development Group (HLDG). The High-Level Group develops tools that astronomers use to plan and
execute observations, process data, and control observatory hardware. The successful candidate will join a
small but motivated international team focused on providing a user experience to match the world-class
telescopes and instruments that Gemini provides to the research community.
We develop almost exclusively in Java, delivering web applications, Swing desktop applications, and
distributed backend services. We employ RMI and Jini technologies, XML, XML-RPC, and web services among
others. Our applications are built on the OSGi platform. Experience in any of these technologies is
considered a bonus, though not necessarily required for consideration. We are seeking developers with strong
object-oriented design and development skills, particularly in Java.
The job is very much development-oriented, but also includes maintenance and refactoring of an existing
code base. We work as part of a multidisciplinary engineering team, and communicate with scientists on a
daily basis to understand their requirements and translate them to working solutions. Experienced
developers are given the freedom to design software and select the most appropriate technologies for the
job.
Qualifications:
· A degree in Computer Science or equivalent experience (an advanced degree is preferred)
· At least five years of software development experience, with demonstrated problem solving skills
· Solid object-oriented design and development experience in Java
· Knowledge of design patterns
· Familiarity with developing in UNIX-like operating systems such as Linux or OS X
· Proven track-record of providing technical leadership for large-scale applications in distributed
environment
Additional Desirable Experience:
· RMI/Jini/Java Spaces
· Web services and frameworks (particularly Google Web Toolkit)
· OSGi and/or the Eclipse Rich Client Platform
· Distributed application design
· Multi-threaded and parallel computing
· Scheduling and optimization algorithms
· User interface design, particularly using Swing
Must be willing to work with a geographically distributed team. Excellent written and verbal skills in English
are required, and Spanish language skills are a bonus. Must have, or be able to obtain, a valid passport and be
willing to travel internationally, as required.

How To Apply

Lead Aircraft Spotter/ Driver (PART-TIME)

• Location: La Serena, Chile
• Deadline for Application: August 1, 2008
• Job Code: ENG804TW

We are searching for a team player to join Gemini Observatory as a part-time Lead Aircraft Spotter / Driver. 

The Lead Aircraft Spotter / Driver ensures that the Gemini South Laser Guide Star system is shuttered when aircrafts pass over the telescope, leads other spotters and may transport Aircraft Spotters from Gemini South Base Facility located in La Serena, to the Cerro Pachon summit and back.  The nature of the job requires mainly nighttime work at the Cerro Pachon summit located at 2,700-meter (9,000-foot) elevation.

Duties include scanning for and logging aircraft activity, notifying telescope personnel when aircrafts approach the laser, shuttering the laser system when needed, managing the inventory of Aircraft Spotter supplies, and coordinating the rotation of spotters during the night.

The  position is considered part-time because the successful candidate will primarily work only during the shifts the laser is propagated, nominally a series of 5 to 10 consecutive nights per month.  Occasional day time work may be required. 

The successful candidate will have excellent oral communication skills, be organized, reliable and practice good judgment. Must be able to work a flexible schedule, mostly at night.   Position requires a high school diploma; previous training in first aid is a plus. Must be able to drive a 4WD automobile and have a clean driving record, with proof of such.

How To Apply

Site Manager

• Location: Hilo, HI
• Deadline for Application: open until filled
• Job Code: ENG603PW

We are seeking a Site Manager for our Gemini North Telescope in Hawaii.  The Site Manager will work on the summit of Mauna Kea on a daily basis, overseeing all facilities-related daytime operations support work for the Gemini North Telescope.   Major responsibilities will include:
· Managing corrective and preventative maintenance programs for the entire facility
· Implementing upgrades to complex mechanical systems
· Overseeing the site safety program
· Managing the site budget
· Scheduling operations support
· Leading a crew of several mechanical technicians and the summit administrative assistant and housekeeper

The successful candidate will have:
· Demonstrated ability to manage team of 7-9 staff in an operational, industrial facility
· Five years of experience at a large telescope/other large industrial facility engaged in scientific research/technology development
· Creativity, flexibility and excellent decision-making skills
· Excellent inter-personal communications skills
· Superior presentation and meeting management skills
· Bachelor’s degree or equivalent in engineering or physical sciences and a familiarity with complex mechanical systems
· Ability to work at 14,000-foot altitude 
· Valid driver’s license, clean driving record, and ability to drive a 4WD vehicle
· Valid passport (or be able to obtain one) and willingness to travel internationally, as required

How To Apply

High-level Software Engineer

• Location: La Serena, Chile
• Deadline for Application: open until filled
• Job Code: ENG711PW

Gemini Observatory is seeking a highly skilled and experienced software developer to become part of its High-
Level Development Group (HLDG). The High-Level Group develops tools that astronomers use to plan and
execute observations, process data, and control observatory hardware. The successful candidate will join a
small but motivated international team focused on providing a user experience to match the world-class
telescopes and instruments that Gemini provides to the research community.
We develop almost exclusively in Java, delivering web applications, Swing desktop applications, and
distributed backend services. We employ RMI and Jini technologies, XML, XML-RPC, and web services among
others. Our applications are built on the OSGi platform. Experience in any of these technologies is
considered a bonus, though not necessarily required for consideration. We are seeking developers with strong
object-oriented design and development skills, particularly in Java.
The job is very much development-oriented, but also includes maintenance and refactoring of an existing
code base. We work as part of a multidisciplinary engineering team, and communicate with scientists on a
daily basis to understand their requirements and translate them to working solutions. Experienced
developers are given the freedom to design software and select the most appropriate technologies for the
job.
Qualifications:
· A degree in Computer Science or equivalent experience (an advanced degree is preferred)
· At least five years of software development experience, with demonstrated problem solving skills
· Solid object-oriented design and development experience in Java
· Knowledge of design patterns
· Familiarity with developing in UNIX-like operating systems such as Linux or OS X
· Proven track-record of providing technical leadership for large-scale applications in distributed
environment
Additional Desirable Experience:
· RMI/Jini/Java Spaces
· Web services and frameworks (particularly Google Web Toolkit)
· OSGi and/or the Eclipse Rich Client Platform
· Distributed application design
· Multi-threaded and parallel computing
· Scheduling and optimization algorithms
· User interface design, particularly using Swing
Must be willing to work with a geographically distributed team. Excellent written and verbal skills in English
are required, and Spanish language skills are a bonus. Must have, or be able to obtain, a valid passport and be
willing to travel internationally, as required.

How To Apply

Senior High-level Software Engineer

• Location: Hilo, Hawaii
• Deadline for Application: open until filled
• Job Code: ENG702PW

Gemini Observatory is seeking a highly skilled and experienced software developer to become part of its High-
Level Development Group (HLDG). The High-Level Group develops tools that astronomers use to plan and
execute observations, process data, and control observatory hardware. The successful candidate will join a
small but motivated international team focused on providing a user experience to match the world-class
telescopes and instruments that Gemini provides to the research community.
We develop almost exclusively in Java, delivering web applications, Swing desktop applications, and
distributed backend services. We employ RMI and Jini technologies, XML, XML-RPC, and web services among
others. Our applications are built on the OSGi platform. Experience in any of these technologies is
considered a bonus, though not necessarily required for consideration. We are seeking developers with strong
object-oriented design and development skills, particularly in Java.
The job is very much development-oriented, but also includes maintenance and refactoring of an existing
code base. We work as part of a multidisciplinary engineering team, and communicate with scientists on a
daily basis to understand their requirements and translate them to working solutions. Experienced
developers are given the freedom to design software and select the most appropriate technologies for the
job.
Qualifications:
· A degree in Computer Science or equivalent experience (an advanced degree is preferred)
· At least eight years of software development experience, with demonstrated problem solving skills
· Solid object-oriented design and development experience in Java
· Knowledge of design patterns
· Familiarity with developing in UNIX-like operating systems such as Linux or OS X
· Proven track-record of providing technical leadership for large-scale applications in distributed
environment
Additional Desirable Experience:
· RMI/Jini/Java Spaces
· Web services and frameworks (particularly Google Web Toolkit)
· OSGi and/or the Eclipse Rich Client Platform
· Distributed application design
· Multi-threaded and parallel computing
· Scheduling and optimization algorithms
· User interface design, particularly using Swing
Must be willing to work with a geographically distributed team. Excellent written and verbal skills in English
are required, and Spanish language skills are a bonus. Must have, or be able to obtain, a valid passport and be
willing to travel internationally, as required.

How To Apply

Senior Laser Technician

• Location: Hilo, Hawaii
• Deadline for Application: open until filled
• Job Code: ENG212PW

We have an immediate opening for an experienced, hands-on Laser Technician to support the operation of a state-of-the-art 14-watt diode-pumped solid-state laser at the Gemini North Observatory in Hawaii.  The laser is used at the Gemini North 8-meter telescope to create a Laser Guide Star (LGS) for the Gemini Adaptive Optics (AO) facility. 

The successful candidate will join the Gemini laser team and share responsibility for the daily/nightly optimization, operation and maintenance of the laser prior to, during and after Laser Guide Star runs at the Gemini North Observatory. 

Major responsibilities will include:
-Preparing, aligning and optimizing the laser for observing runs
-Monitoring and maintaining laser performance
-Assisting the Adaptive Optics program through BTO operation and maintenance and laser system upgrades/retrofits
-Assisting with Engineering activities associated with the telescope operations

The successful candidate will have:
- Laser Technician degree or an Associate’s degree in Lasers/Optics/Electro-Optics/Engineering/Physics/related field or equivalent experience, plus 5-10 years hands-on laser experience;
- strong background in lasers, optics, and related electro-optics and electronics devices;
- experience and proficiency in laser cavity optical alignment, operation of mode-locked ND:YAG diode-pumped solid-state lasers and non-linear optics is   highly desirable.  The ideal candidate will also have telescope experience and/or adaptive optics experience;
- the ability to read and interpret schematics and engineering sketches as well as utilize complicated drawings and specifications;
- demonstrated ability to quickly learn new systems and trouble-shoot; ability to use electronic test devices such as logic analyzers, oscilloscopes, optical   detectors and other complex precision optical measurement instruments;
- an understanding and ability to work with various alignment tools, electronics systems, detectors, hardware, software and various optical instruments. 

The nature of the job requires daily work at the Mauna Kea summit where the Gemini North 8-meter telescope is located, at 4,200-meter (14,000-foot) elevation.  Summit staff commute from Hilo, where the Gemini North Base Facility is located, to the Mauna Kea summit every day.  The Senior Laser Technician will also be required to spend a portion of his/her time working at night during Laser Guide Star runs (on the order of 5-10 nights/month).  The successful candidate will be comfortable working as part of a large team of scientists, engineers and technicians, as well as working independently.

All applicants must also possess a valid driver’s license, have a clean driving record, and be able to drive a 4WD vehicle; must have or be able to obtain a valid passport for international travel. 

How To Apply

Information Systems

Windows System Administrator

• Location: La Serena, Chile
• Deadline for Application: open until filled
• Job Code: OPS514PW

Seeking a talented Windows System Administrator with an enthusiasm for using technology to solve problems in a cutting-edge computing environment.  The System Administrator will join a small team and will be responsible for daily back-ups, hardware & software installations, system performance monitoring, enhancements, updating and maintaining Active Directory, software license management and user support. 

Must have a BS degree in Computer Science or related field or equivalent experience, plus five years experience as a Windows administrator in a multi-server environment and previous exposure to multiple operating systems.  In addition, the successful candidate will have deep familiarity with Microsoft applications, Exchange migrations and Active Directory as well as a working knowledge of TCP/IP and hands-on configuration experience of Cisco switches and routers.  MCSE, MCP qualified, or equivalent experience.

This position calls for absolute commitment to continuous system availability and customer satisfaction.  Demonstrated ability to balance multiple, dynamic, and sometimes conflicting priorities is essential.  Excellent organizational, written and verbal communication skills are required as is the capability to work both independently and as part of a team.  Must have exceptional problem determination and performance analysis skills. 

How To Apply

Safety

Safety Coordinator

• Location: Hilo, Hi
• Deadline for Application: open until filled
• Job Code: OPS304PW

We are seeking a Safety Coordinator to join our international team that operates and manages the Gemini North and South Telescopes in Hawaii and Chile.

It is expected that the Safety Coordinator will spend 4 days per week on the summit of Mauna Kea and one day at our base in Hilo, educating management and employees in the techniques of accident prevention, occupational hygiene and environmental control.

Major Responsibilities will include:
- Assisting to comply with all legal requirements
- Conducting safety inspections, audits and training
- Performing accident and near miss investigations
- Managing the Gemini vehicle safety program
- Supporting the delivery of safety training to all employees
- Devising, implementing and following up on safety suggestion schemes
- Advising Managers and employees on health and safety matters
- Managing safety projects that contribute to the Gemini Safety Management System

The successful candidate will have:
- Demonstrated the ability to interface with all levels of an organization effectively
- At least 5 years experience within a safety position, ideally gained within a Scientific, Industrial, or Engineering environment
- Excellent oral and written communication skills
- Strong influencing and follow through skills
- Bachelor’s degree in Safety Management or Engineering discipline.
- Ability to work at 14,000 foot altitude
- Valid driver’s license, clean driving record and ability to drive a 4WD vehicle

How To Apply

Administration and Facilities

Administration and Facilities Team Leader

• Location: Hilo, Hawaii
• Deadline for Application: open until filled
• Job Code: OPS217P

OPENING EXISTS for a highly motivated, organized and responsible individual with a good supervisory track record and a total commitment to customer service and a continuous improvement in departmental results.
This TEAM LEADER position will be responsible for ensuring the consistent delivery of high standards of facility management and administrative services at GEMINI NORTH, HILO, HAWAII. The position requires an effective team leader with at least 5 years previous administrative/supervisory experience, ideally in a fast paced environment. Previous experience in FACILITIES/VEHICLE FLEET MANAGEMENT and/or BUSINESS SERVICES would be very advantageous. A business related degree, an appreciation of accounting and Web-based administrative tools would be a real plus. An advanced level of knowledge of Microsoft Office is expected.

How To Apply

How to Apply:

Unless otherwise specified: Send current resume with cover letter relating your experience, education and background to the needs of the position, along with the names and contact information of three individuals familiar with your work/credentials/qualifications from whom a reference may be obtained. Please include the JOB CODE in your cover letter. Including salary history is appreciated. Cover letters and resumes must be written in English. Applications that do not conform to the specific requirements of the position will not be considered.

All applicants must be fluent in English and be able to write, speak and read English fluently. Spanish is a plus. All applicants are expected to be computer literate with the ability to use the Internet, e-mail and other applicable software applications.

E-mail: . GEMINI OBSERVATORY, Human Resources Department, 670 N. A`ohoku Place, Hilo, HI 96720. No phone calls, please.

Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer. Qualified women and minorities encouraged to apply.

Information About Hawaii and Chile