Observatory Jobs (NOW HIRING)

R&D Systems Engineer II (Steward Observatory) (Updated)
Posting Number
req26494
Department
Steward Observatory
Department Website Link
https://astro.arizona.edu/
Location
Tucson Campus
Address
Tucson, AZ USA
Position Highlights
Please Note: The Contact Information for Candidates has been updated.
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!
The University of Arizona has been recognized for our innovative work-life programs. For more information about working at the University of Arizona and relocations services, please click here.
Duties & Responsibilities

• 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.
Minimum Qualifications

• 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.

Preferred Qualifications

• 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.

FLSA
Exempt
Full Time/Part Time
Full Time
Number of Hours Worked per Week
40
Job FTE
1.0
Work Calendar
Fiscal
Job Category
Research
Benefits Eligible
Yes - Full Benefits
Rate of Pay
$75,540 - $98,201
Compensation Type
salary at 1.0 full-time equivalency (FTE)
Grade
10
Compensation Guidance
The Rate of Pay Field represents the University of Arizona's good faith and reasonable estimate of the range of possible compensation at the time of posting. The University considers several factors when extending an offer, including but not limited to, the role and associated responsibilities, a candidate's work experience, education/training, key skills, and internal equity.
The Grade Range represent a full range of career compensation growth over time. The university offers compensation growth opportunities within its career architecture. To learn more about compensation, please review our Applicant Compensation Guide and our Total Rewards Calculator.
Career Stream and Level
PC2
Job Family
Research Engineering
Job Function
Research
Type of criminal background check required:
Name-based criminal background check (non-security sensitive)
Number of Vacancies
1
Target Hire Date
Expected End Date
Contact Information for Candidates
Emily Vrtiska
Research Program Manager, NMP
evrtiska@arizona.edu
Open Date
7/13/2026
Open Until Filled
Yes
Documents Needed to Apply
Resume and Cover Letter
Special Instructions to Applicant
Notice of Availability of the Annual Security and Fire Safety Report
In compliance with the Jeanne Clery Campus Safety Act (Clery Act), each year the University of Arizona releases an Annual Security Report (ASR) for each of the University's campuses.Thesereports disclose information including Clery crime statistics for the previous three calendar years and policies, procedures, and programs the University uses to keep students and employees safe, including how to report crimes or other emergencies and resources for crime victims. As a campus with residential housing facilities, the Main Campus ASR also includes a combined Annual Fire Safety report with information on fire statistics and fire safety systems, policies, and procedures.
Paper copies of the Reports can be obtained by contacting the University Compliance Office at cleryact@arizona.edu.