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Employment Type: Permanent Staff (EHRA NF)

Vacancy ID: NF0009297

Salary Range: 76,300-110,000

Position Summary/Description:

The Argus Array will be the largest optical telescope array ever assembled, with a collecting area comparable to the largest monolithic telescopes in the world. The Array will push our observations of the universe into a new regime, scanning the sky 100,000x faster than current nightly-cadence sky surveys. Argus will capture a continuous multi-color, 55-gigapixel movie of the night sky, shared with the entire astronomical community in real-time through public transient alerts, images, and light curves with millions of epochs for hundreds of millions of stars.

The Argus Array Program Manager serves as the technical and operational lead for this project, managing the critical transition from developmental phase to construction and commissioning. This position combines high-level program management with hands-on technical leadership across all aspects of the 900-telescope array system.

The Program Manager is responsible for the integration and coordination of technical subsystems, ensuring that optomechanical, facilities, and infrastructure components work together to meet the Array’s performance requirements. This role requires deep technical involvement in hardware prototyping, system design validation, and production implementation, while simultaneously managing program-level strategic planning, risk assessment, and resource allocation in collaboration with the Argus Array Director and management team.

The Program Manager interfaces across all project teams from graduate students to external contractors. Key responsibilities include overseeing vendor relationships for critical components (optical calibration systems, camera production, telescope engineering), managing construction and site development activities, and ensuring technical compliance across all subsystem designs. The position requires expertise in bridging the gap between astronomical instrumentation requirements and practical engineering implementation, with particular focus on optomechanical systems integration, facility infrastructure design, and the transition of research prototypes to production-ready systems.

Our project management philosophy emphasizes a small, highly collaborative local team where the Program Manager contributes directly to technical development while maintaining strategic oversight of the project. The position requires both the ability to dive deep into specific engineering challenges and to maintain a systems-level perspective on project integration, risk management, and long-term strategic planning.

Education and Experience:

+ Prior experience with astronomical instrumentation projects or telescope facilities

+ Experience developing real-time analysis pipelines and instrument control systems

+ Knowledge of optical system design, testing, and calibration methodologies

+ Familiarity with construction project oversight and site development processes

+ Experience with modular system integration and industrial facility requirements

+ Machine shop experience or hands-on fabrication skills (3D printing, machining, soldering)

+ Programming proficiency in Python, C/C++, and database systems ( SQL , PostgreSQL)

+ CAD software experience (AutoCAD, SolidWorks, Fusion360)

+ Experience with budgeting and resource allocation for midscale technical projects

+ Knowledge of observatory operations and logistics

+ Strong problem-solving skills for novel engineering challenges without established precedents

+ Track record of successful delivery of complex scientific instruments from concept to operation

Essential Skills:

+ PhD in Physics, Astronomy, Engineering, or related field

+ Professional Certificate in Advanced Project Management or equivalent certification ( PMP , CAPM , or similar)

+ Demonstrated experience in technical project or program management for complex scientific instrumentation

+ Strong background in astronomical instrumentation, optomechanical systems, or systems engineering

+ Experience with vendor management and external contractor coordination

+ Demonstrated ability to transition research prototypes to production systems

+ Strong technical writing and documentation skills for both internal coordination and external reporting

+ Experience with risk assessment and mitigation strategies for complex technical projects

+ Ability to interface effectively with diverse stakeholders from graduate students to senior contractors

AA/EEO Statement:

The University is an equal opportunity employer and welcomes all to apply without regard to age, color, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, national origin, race, religion, sex, or sexual orientation. We encourage all qualified applicants to apply, including protected veterans and individuals with disabilities.