Working at Keck – Page 17

Employment at Keck – Senior Electronics Engineer

The W. M. Keck Observatory seeks a Senior Electronics Engineer to provide electronics engineering and project management support to develop new observatory capabilities and upgrades to our existing observatory infrastructure. Desired competencies include: sound electronics engineering and design skills, and demonstrated ability to plan and manage electronics and electro-mechanical systems projects. Ideal candidate should have excellent electronics engineering, design and project management skills, and should be a motivated self-starter who can manage multiple projects and priorities within a fast paced environment.

AO Bench Work — Working on the Keck 1 AO bench

The observatory operates two of the largest and most scientifically productive optical/infrared telescopes in the world. The twin 10-meter telescopes are located amidst several other world class observatories on the summit of Mauna Kea, at 13,796 feet above sea level on the Big Island of Hawaii, one of the premier sites for astronomy. The successful candidate will have the opportunity to join a skilled and deeply committed team of technical professionals who enable exciting and important astronomical discoveries.

Qualifications for this position include a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering or equivalent and eight years of work experience performing design and documentation, analysis, fabrication, test, and troubleshooting of electronic and electromechanical systems.

Additional information about WMKO and this position may be found on our website at www.keckobservatory.org under Employment. This position requires you to submit your resume on-line at http://keckobservatory.iapplicants.com.

Private Foundations Fund New Astronomy Tool

W. M. Keck Observatory press release…

The W. M. Keck Observatory has been awarded two major grants to help build a $4 million laser system as the next leap forward in a technology which already enables ground-based telescopes to exceed the observational power of telescopes in space. The new laser, when installed on the current adaptive optics system on the Keck II telescope, will improve the performance of the system and advance future technology initiatives.

First Target of the Night — The Keck 2 AO Laser attempting the first target of the night with the light of sunset and a setting Moon behind

In early July the Observatory received a $1.5 million grant from the W. M. Keck Foundation, adding to a $2 million grant from the Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation awarded eight months prior for the multi-year project. Keck Observatory is charged to raise the remaining funds needed from its private supporters over the next two years.

“Ever since Galileo, astronomers have been building bigger telescopes to collect more light to be able to observe more distant objects,” said Peter Wizinowich, who leads the adaptive optics developments at Keck Observatory. “In theory, the larger the telescope the more detail you can see. However, because of the blurring caused by Earth’s atmosphere, a 10-inch or a 10-meter telescope see about the same amount of detail.”

Continue reading “Private Foundations Fund New Astronomy Tool”

Employment at Keck – Infrastructure Technician-Electrician

W. M. Keck Observatory Position Announcement…

The W.M. Keck Observatory operates two of the world’s largest and most scientifically productive optical/infrared telescopes located on the summit of Mauna Kea on the Big Island of Hawaii. A highly capable and motivated staff operates, maintains and develops the complex telescope systems and infrastructure on the summit. We seek an Infrastructure Technician-Electrician to join this high-caliber team.

Utilizing the Keck 1 Laser Guide Star during the night

This position is primarily responsible for industrial electrical work including installation, modification, repairs and maintenance of electrical systems and equipment up to 480V to ensure they are in good operating condition, safe and conform to the applicable version of the National Electric Code. The work is primarily at the observatory facility on the summit of Mauna Kea with occasional work at the headquarters facility in Waimea. Minimum requirements are 10 years of experience as an industrial electrician and a valid Journey Worker Industrial Electrician License in the State of Hawaii.

Commitment to WMKO’s core values, working well with others, and the ability to handle multiple tasks and priorities within a fast paced environment are all essential. For a full listing of duties and qualifications for this position, please go to: www.keckobservatory.org/about/employment

Employment at Keck – Scientific Programmer

W. M. Keck Observatory Position Announcement…

The W. M. Keck Observatory (WMKO) has an immediate opening for a software engineer to support scientific programming needs for the Keck Observatory Archive (KOA). The successful candidate will work with the Keck Archive Scientist and other members of the KOA team and software group on all aspects of KOA software development: defining requirements, developing algorithms, writing applications, testing and implementing software, preparing documentation, and supporting software and users. Special attention will be paid to applicants with strong skills and experience in astronomical data reduction, especially spectroscopy.

Keck 2 Computer Room — Servers of the K2 Computer Room at night

The observatory operates two of the largest and most scientifically productive optical/infrared telescopes in the world. The twin 10-meter telescopes are located amidst several other world class observatories on the summit of Mauna Kea, at 13,796 feet above sea level on the Big Island of Hawaii, one of the premier sites for astronomy. The successful candidate will join a skilled and deeply committed team of technical professionals who enable exciting and important astronomical discoveries.

Minimum qualifications for this position include a Bachelor’s degree in computer or physical sciences, or engineering, and at least 5 years of programming experience. Required are a good knowledge of database design, a high level of competency in SQL, PHP, C and C++ or JAVA programming; good knowledge of IDL, IRAF, Matlab or Python; experience in a Unix environment, experience developing web enabled database applications, good communication skills, good applied mathematical/statistical skills and the ability to work as part of a team. Desirable skills include an advanced degree, knowledge of astronomical data archive, familiarity with FITS data format, astronomical CCD image data, and astronomical data manipulation software.

This position requires you to submit your resume on-line at: http://keckobservatory.iapplicants.com/ViewJob-324999.html with your cover letter that states why you are uniquely qualified for the position.

Additional information about WMKO and this position may be found on our web site at www.keckobservatory.org

Employment Opportunity at Keck – Machinist

W. M. Keck Observatory position announcement…

Senior Machinist-Infrastructure Technician

The W.M. Keck Observatory operates two of the world’s largest and most scientifically productive optical/infrared telescopes located on the summit of Mauna Kea on the Big Island of Hawaii. A highly capable and motivated staff operates, maintains and develops the complex telescope systems and infrastructure on the summit. We seek a Senior Machinist-Infrastructure Technician to join this high-caliber team.

This position is responsible for conventional and CNC machining of mechanical parts; interpreting complex mechanical fabrication drawings; and performing mechanical fabrication, assembly, adjustment and troubleshooting of precision mechanisms. In addition, this position will participate in maintenance of the summit infrastructure, including repairs of mechanical systems and preventative maintenance.

Minimum requirements are: Knowledge of materials, their properties, and suitability in different mechanical applications; five years of experience in an industrial environment with proven capability for installation, maintenance, and troubleshooting of mechanical systems; and eight years of experience as an industrial machinist building high precision parts.

Commitment to WMKO’s core values, working well with others, and the ability to handle multiple tasks and priorities within a fast paced environment are all essential. Additional information about WMKO and this position may be found on our website at www.keckobservatory.org/about/employment

This position requires you to submit your resume on-line at: http://keckobservatory.iapplicants.com/ViewJob-319065.html with your cover letter that states why you are uniquely qualified for the position.

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The Transit of Venus

We did the Transit of Venus right.

The plan was to stream the transit live from the summit. With access to the Keck facilities we had internet, a comfortable break room, and an excellent vantage point from which to view the entire transit. It sounded so easy at first, just put a camera on a telescope and connect it to the computer for the duration. Easy, in concept. The reality? Not so much.

Venus Transit Second Contact — Transit of Venus 2012, second contact at 12:27pm

It was an incredible amount of work. I had spent several days during the preceding weeks preparing the gear for transit. I admit some of that was fun, an excuse to get the gear out in the day and look at the Sun, even photograph Venus quite near the Sun.

The webcast team consisted of three people, Larry O’Hanlon, the Keck PIO, Mark Senft, a volunteer from our astronomy club, and myself. Larry and I met a HQ to begin our drive up the mountain at 8am.

At Hale Pohaku we picked up Mark and enjoyed breakfast. Here we found a massive buildup in progress, a gathering of troops… Visitor center staff, Hawai’i County police and fire, and the Mauna Kea Rangers, all present in force. Stephanie Nagata, the director of the Office of Mauna Kea Management helped man the roadblock. Stewart Hunter, the head of Mauna Kea Support Services with her in an orange vest. Their preparations looked to be necessary, three hours prior to first contact the crowds of transit tourists were already growing.

JCMT and UKIRT Closing

Sad news that two of the telescopes atop Mauna Kea will be losing funding. Word comes from Tom on his blog Pacific View…

• extend operation of JCMT to end September 2014, to allow for completion of the agreed science programme for the SCUBA-2 instrument on the JCMT

• cease STFC support for the operation of UKIRT from end September 2013, a year after the completion of its current survey programme

These shutdowns have been threatened for some time. It is disheartening to learn that the worst outcome is now reality.

Sunset Behind UKIRT — UKIRT opening for a night of observing atop Mauna Kea

Employment Opportunity at Keck – Software Engineer

W. M. Keck Observatory position announcement…

The W. M. Keck Observatory operates two of the world’s largest optical/infrared telescopes located on the summit of Mauna Kea on the Big Island of Hawaii. Each telescope is equipped with a full suite of instruments designed to perform exciting, cutting edge astronomical research.

The Observatory seeks a Software Engineer responsible for a variety of duties related to developing, deploying and optimizing software for control solutions used at the observatory and integration of partner developed science instruments. The successful candidate will enjoy a comprehensive benefits package while residing in one of the world’s most uniquely beautiful and diverse locations.

The candidate is expected to have a minimum of 5 years’ proven experience developing and integrating distributed control software solutions for engineering or scientific applications with involvement in all aspects of the software life cycle from specification through deployment.

The candidate is expected to have sound knowledge of modern software engineering practices. Practical experience in the following is required: strong C/C++ with significant O-O design and development; UNIX platform development environment using the gnu tool chain under Linux or Solaris; working with communication middleware such as RPC, RMI, ICE or messaging systems; working with real-time OS like VxWorks or RT Linux; User Interface development with Tcl/Tk, Java, Qt, Python or other toolkits.

The ideal candidate should be a motivated, self-starter who can collaborate effectively across disciplines in a fast paced environment. Experience working with EPICS at an astronomical observatory or high energy physics experiment facility and experience with driver development and motion control are highly desirable.

This position requires you to submit your resume on-line at: http://keckobservatory.iapplicants.com/ViewJob-304399.html with your cover letter that states why you are uniquely qualified for the position.

Additional information about WMKO and this position may be found on our web site at www.keckobservatory.org. EEO Employer

Student Engineering

It is always gratifying to see. Tangles of wire, zip ties, plastic and metal bent and warped into odd shapes, contraptions that occasionally come apart. They may not be pretty, buy they usually work. This is engineering!

Piloting an ROV — Students from Hawai'i Preparatory Academy pilot an ROV in the Big Island Regional MATE ROV Competition

The goal? To build and pilot and underwater ROV through a simulated mission. Not an easy task, actually downright difficult. That the engineers and pilots are elementary, middle and high school students makes the results that much more impressive.

This is the fourth year I have helped to judge the 2012 Big Island Regional MATE ROV Challenge. Back again, it is just too much fun to see what the students come up with. Last year I helped judge the technical presentations and posters. While that is OK, the action is in the pool. This year it was poolside judging, getting a first hand view of the event. I was not alone, Keck provided many of the judges for the 2012 event. An investment in the next generation of engineers and techs that will follow our path.

A student built ROV attempting a mission in the Hilo regional 2012 MATE ROV Competition

Most of the ROV’s followed the usual pattern we have seen each year. A box frame built of PVC pipe with bilge pump motors attached to provide maneuvering capability. Cameras provide the vehicles eyes. Indeed, the operators must control the craft with only the visuals on the display screen, no looking around into the pool.

The mission this year was to survey a shipwreck, a victim of war, an oil tanker lying on the bottom with the potential to create an environmental disaster. The students must survey the wreck, then attempt to remove a sample of the “oil” trapped within. No matter that the “oil tanker” is a frame of PVC pipes at the bottom of a swimming pool, this was a challenging mission.

There were a number of rookie teams this year. It showed, a rough day in the pool for several of the teams. Experience showed, those teams with a couple years of competitions behind them performed much better. It was Kealakehe that won the Ranger class title… again. Give the new guys another chance next year, and I think the competition will be much closer.

Employment Opportunity at Keck – Student Assistant

Advancement Student Assistant
W. M. Keck Observatory

The Observatory seeks a Student Assistant to support the Advancement office by helping to stimulate public awareness and interest in our work through boutique maintenance, marketing, donor relations activities, and informational materials.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

Assist with the functions of the Advancement Office.
Assist with the management of retail sales of the KeckWear boutique. Maintain and update product inventory and sales record keeping database. Handle sales in house, at public lectures, telephone and online. Maintain professional presentation of KeckWear; keep inventory clean, neat and tidy, restock lobby displays, re-order necessary products, as well as update KeckWear items online, as needed. Handle money tracking system; daily closing of credit machine, and weekly/biweekly closing of cash box. Update merchandise location sheet and work with Guidestars on boutique related matters.
Maintain the W. M. Keck Observatory Keck Nation subscription list; add new subscribers.
Assist with preparations and activities related to special events. Staff public lectures and special events, as well as assist in mailings, appeals etc.
Assist with keeping accurate records of communications with and event participation by donors and donor prospects.
Maintain and update the Advancement and KeckWear Web pages.
Respond to requests for informational materials and friends’ packets, specific to donor relations.
Greet visitors and orient them to lobby displays and informational materials. Ensure equipment is clean and working properly. Maintain lobby brochures and other information.
Assist in design and layout of articles, flyers, reports, slideshows, boutique webpage/catalog, and various educational materials.

Minimum Qualifications: High School student in good standing

Skills required include:

Ability to read and understand policies, directives, and instructions in English.
Problem solving—the individual identifies and resolves problems in a timely manner and gathers and analyzes information skillfully.
Interpersonal Skills—the individual maintains confidentiality, remains open to others’ ideas and exhibits willingness to try new things.
Oral communication—the individual speaks clearly and persuasively in positive or negative situations.
Written Communication—the individual edits work for spelling and grammar, presents numerical data effectively and is able to read and interpret written information.

To learn more about this position, and to apply, please go to: http://keckobservatory.iapplicants.com/ViewJob-298093.html

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