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Astronomical Instrumentation Jobs (NOW HIRING)

EmergencyMD

Executive Director

Waimea, HI · On-site

$180 - $280/hr

... astronomical observatories through a pivotal chapter in its history - one that demands both ... instrumentation. * Demonstrated experience managing a scientific research facility, technical ...

The CFHT Corporation

Executive Director

Waimea, HI

... astronomical observatories through a pivotal chapter in its history - one that demands both ... instrumentation. * Demonstrated experience managing a scientific research facility, technical ...

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How much do astronomical instrumentation jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 14, 2026, the average hourly pay for astronomical instrumentation in the United States is $28.79, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $20.67 and $29.33 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What does astronomical instrumentation do?

Professionals in astronomical instrumentation often work on designing, building, and testing innovative devices used in observatories or space missions, such as telescopes, detectors, and spectrometers. Daily responsibilities may include collaborating with astronomers, engineers, and software developers to integrate new technologies, troubleshoot instrument issues, and optimize performance. Such roles can also involve project management tasks, creating technical documentation, and occasionally providing on-site support during instrument deployment. This work is typically performed in a research laboratory or observatory setting, blending hands-on engineering with scientific collaboration.

What is astronomical instrumentation?

An Astronomical Instrumentation job involves designing, developing, and maintaining scientific instruments used in observational astronomy. Professionals in this field work with telescopes, detectors, spectrographs, and other advanced equipment to enhance astronomical research. They may collaborate with astronomers, engineers, and software developers to ensure optimal performance of instruments used in ground-based and space-based observations. These specialists often work in research institutions, observatories, and aerospace agencies to push the boundaries of astronomical discovery.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive in astronomical instrumentation?

To thrive in Astronomical Instrumentation, you need a strong background in physics, optics, electronics, and engineering, usually supported by a relevant degree or advanced studies. Familiarity with specialized software (such as LabVIEW, MATLAB, or CAD), precision measurement tools, and laboratory equipment is typically required, and certifications in optics or electronics can be an asset. Strong problem-solving skills, attention to detail, and effective collaboration are important soft skills in this field. These qualifications are essential for designing, developing, and maintaining complex astronomical instruments critical to modern research and discovery.

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Astronomical Instrumentation jobs near you
Infographic showing various Astronomical Instrumentation job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 89% Full Time, 6% Part Time, 3% Contract, and 1% Nights. Highlights an 93% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 5% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $59,888 per year, or $28.8 per hour.

Electronics Engineer, IS-0855-14

Smithsonian Institution

Cambridge, MA

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement

Re-posted 16 days ago

Smithsonian Institution rating

8.6

Company rating: 8.6 out of 10

Based on 25 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

2nd of 29 rated museums

Job description

OPENING DATE: May 20, 2026
CLOSING DATE: September 04, 2026
SERIES/GRADE: 0855/14
TYPE OF POSITION: Trust Indefinite (Non-Federal)
DIVISION: Central Engineering
LOCATION: Cambridge, MA
AREA OF CONSIDERATION: This position is open to all qualified candidates eligible to work in the United States.
This position requires access to export-controlled work. The candidate must be a U.S. person (citizen, permanent resident, or national of a country eligible for approval under an export license). 

What are Trust Fund Positions?
Trust Fund positions are unique to the Smithsonian. They are paid for from a variety of sources, including the Smithsonian endowment, revenue from our business activities, donations, grants and contracts. Trust employees are not part of the civil service, nor does trust fund employment lead to Federal status. The salary ranges for trust positions are generally the same as for federal positions and in many cases trust and federal employees work side by side. Trust employees have their own benefit program, which may include Health, Dental & Vision Insurance, Life Insurance, Transit/Commuter Benefits, Accidental Death and Dismemberment Insurance, Annual and Sick Leave, Family Friendly Leave, 403b Retirement Plan, Discounts for Smithsonian Memberships, Museum Stores and Restaurants, Credit Union, Flexible Spending Account (Health & Dependent Care). 

Conditions of Employment
  • Pass Pre-employment Background Check and Subsequent Background Investigation, as required.
  • Complete a Probationary Period if applicable. 
  • Maintain a Bank Account for Direct Deposit/Electronic Transfer.
  • The position is open to all candidates eligible to work in the United States.  Proof of eligibility to work in U.S. is not required to apply.
  • Applicants must meet all qualification and eligibility requirements within 30 days of the closing date of this announcement. 
INTRODUCTION
The Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory (SAO) is at the forefront, internationally, of the scientific exploration of the universe. SAO combines its resources with those of the Harvard College Observatory to form the Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics (CfA). The CfA is the best-known astrophysics center in the world. Its programs range from ground-based astronomy and astrophysics research to space-based research, the engineering and development of major scientific instrumentation for space launch and use in large ground-based facilities, and research designed to improve science education. The research objectives of SAO are carried out primarily with the support of Government and Smithsonian Institution funds, with additional philanthropic support.  Government funds are in the form of Federal appropriations or the form of contracts and grants from other agencies. In contrast, Institution funds are available to SAO through grants from the Institution's Restricted Funds, Special Purpose Funds, Bureau Activities, Business Activities, and non-Federal contracts and grants. 
SUMMARY
The purpose of the position is to provide expert level electronics and electrical systems engineering support in the development of advanced instrumentation for ground-based and space-based astrophysical and astronomical data collection on various Central Engineering supported projects. 

1.  Applies broad knowledge of state-of-the-art to conceive, plan, and execute complex and varied assignments in the electrical engineering required to develop cutting edge instrumentation for astrophysical and astronomical data collection; as well as for its associated test, calibration, and other ground support equipment.
     a. Conceives, designs, and oversees development of complex state-of-the-art electrical/electronics systems, subsystems, modules, and components. Provides expert technical consultation to CfA scientists and other engineering staff in instrument electrical design.
    b. Translates scientific objectives into achievable hardware that exploits or extends state-of-the art, advances current technology, and works with scientific investigators to establish the electrical/electronics requirements of new projects. Analyzes scientific data collection requirements, translates these requirements into instrument performance characteristics, and develops instrument concepts and preliminary systems diagrams.
    c. Performs critical trade-off analyses of various design implementations. Makes and documents recommendations for optimum methods considering both known and anticipated operating environments.
    d. Evaluates manufacturers' performance capability data for discrete, hybrid, and integrated circuitry, components, and systems. Incorporates analysis results into design decisions.
    e. Prepares cost and schedule estimates for hardware design, fabrication, test, and calibration; including supporting documentation.
    f. Extensively documents work in technical memoranda, reports, test plans, procedures and presentations.
2. Defends proposals to funding agency and/or scientific peer review panels in support of the Principal Investigator. Troubleshoots and analyzes complex technical problems encountered on CE projects, identifies and recommends solutions, and oversees their implementation.
3.  From conceptual design through project completion, provides leadership in design and analysis and documentation.  Maintains a technical overview of the project in process, and has ultimate responsibility for the design and test integrity of the contract or project end item. Chooses appropriate technologies, establishes technical priorities, and performs conceptual, systems level, and detail design. Prepares cost estimates, schedules, plans, technical reports, and engineering input to project proposals; supervises engineers, designers, and technicians assigned to the project; and maintains engineering budgets and schedules. Provides technical leadership and direction to, and liaison with, hardware contractors and sub-contractors as required.
4. Investigates, selects, justifies, and oversees procurement of critical electrical, electro-optical, and servo-mechanical components used in astrophysical instrumentation and its development. 
5.  Makes both oral and written presentations to project scientists and technical representatives of contracting agencies and cooperating or affiliated organizations: Either singly or in collaboration with project scientists and other engineers, may write technical papers recording innovative design techniques and criteria, and present papers to technical symposia in the specialty field.
6.  Travels, both domestically and internationally, to telescope sites, vendor facilities, NASA centers, and the facilities of other associated organizations in support of proposal, design, calibration, test, integration, and mission operations activities.
7.  Performs other assignments as required.

Basic Requirements:
Degree: Professional Engineering. To be acceptable, the curriculum must:
(1) be in a school of engineering with at least one curriculum accredited by the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET) as a professional engineering curriculum;
or
(2) include differential and integral calculus and courses (more advanced than first-year physics and chemistry) in five of the following seven areas of engineering science or physics: (a) statics, dynamics; (b) strength of materials (stress-strain relationships); (c) fluid mechanics, hydraulics; (d) thermodynamics; (e) electrical fields and circuits; (f) nature and properties of materials (relating particle and aggregate structure to properties); and (g) any other comparable area of fundamental engineering science or physics, such as optics, heat transfer, soil mechanics, or electronics.
OR
a combination of education and experience--college-level education, training, and/or technical experience that furnished (1) a thorough knowledge of the physical and mathematical sciences underlying professional engineering, and (2) a good understanding, both theoretical and practical, of the engineering sciences and techniques and their applications to one of the branches of engineering. OR
Bachelor's degree in computer science or bachelor's degree with 30 semester hours in a combination of mathematics, statistics, and computer science. At least 15 of the 30 semester hours must have included any combination of statistics and mathematics that included differential and integral calculus. All academic degrees and course work must be from accredited or pre-accredited institutions.

Additional Requirements: 
Candidates must possess at least one year of specialized experience at or above the grade 13 level in similar positions.  Specialized experience for this position would include architecting system-level electrical designs using both commercial and custom electronics, leading the electrical engineering effort, supporting project design reviews, and participating in reviews of other projects.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities required:
  1. Mastery of advanced concepts, principles and practices of electronics engineering, in order to investigate, design, and provide consultative services to the development of an entire range of electronics for ground based and space-borne instrumentation for astrophysical data collection, as well as its associated test, calibration and ground support equipment. This will be evidenced by significant professional experience in overall systems design including electrical systems design and analysis, system resource and error budgeting, documentation, proposal preparation, sophisticated computer modeling and fabrication and test activities pertaining to the development of state-of-the-art scientific instrumentation.
  2. Ability to apply advanced principles and practices of electronics engineering to the development and application of experimental theories, and emerging technology to the solution of complex instrument design problems.
  3. Extensive experience with electrical schematic and board layout CAD/CAM tools.  
  4. Expert knowledge of analog design techniques and design simulation tools (i.e. SPICE).
  5. Experience with the development of FPGA based digital and analog signal processing systems. 
  6. Working knowledge of related engineering fields such as thermal, mechanical, optical and/or structural in order to resolve design and instrument packaging problems.
  7. Skill in project leadership and the ability to provide technical direction in design, fabrication, assembly, and test activities to members of a diverse engineering and scientific team. Ability to generate realistic project budgets and schedules and support multiple projects simultaneously. 
  8. Strong oral and written communications skills, including the ability to serve as a technical spokesperson for SAO in areas related to the electronics of advanced instrumentation. Experience with proposal writing.
Education completed outside the United States must be deemed equivalent to higher education programs of U.S. Institutions by an organization that specializes in the interpretation of foreign educational credentials. This documentation is the responsibility of the applicant and should be included as part of your application package.
 
Any false statement in your application may result in rejection of your application and may also result in termination after employment begins.
  
Join us in "Inspiring Generations through Knowledge and Discovery."
 
Resumes should include a description of your paid and non-paid work experience that is related to this job; starting and ending dates of job (month and year); and average number of hours worked per week.  
What To Expect Next: Once the vacancy announcement closes, a review of your resume will be compared against the qualification and experience requirements related to this job. After review of applicant resumes is complete, qualified candidates will be referred to the hiring manager.
 
Relocation expenses are not paid.
The Smithsonian Institution provides reasonable accommodation to applicants with disabilities where appropriate. Applicants requiring reasonable accommodation should contact  hr@cfa.harvard.edu. Determinations on requests for reasonable accommodation will be made on a case-by-case basis.  To learn more, please review the Smithsonian's Accommodation Procedures.
 
The Smithsonian Institution is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We believe that a workforce comprising a variety of educational, cultural, and experiential backgrounds support and enhance our daily work life and contribute to the richness of our exhibitions and programs. See Smithsonian EEO program information: https://www.si.edu/oeesd.

The Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory is an equal opportunity employer. Please visit the SAO website at http://www.cfa.harvard.edu/

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