Manager, Integration / Associate RFC Mirror Lab

The Richard F. Caris Mirror Lab fabricates the largest telescope mirrors in the world--as large as 28 feet in diameter, weighing 18 tons, and costing sponsors over $20M--to support scientific research at Steward Observatory and observatories around the globe. The Integration Manager designs and guides the fabrication, assembly, maintenance, modification, and upgrade of mechanical, thermal, hydraulic, and pneumatic systems needed to cast, grind, polish, measure, support, move, and lift these giant telescope mirrors. The Integration Manager directly supervises six technicians and oversees a machine shop. As Associate Lab Manager, the individual in this position supports the lab manager in directing the work of 42 scientists, engineers, and technicians assigned to the lab and others in Steward Observatory's Engineering and Technical Services division supporting mirror lab activities.

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!

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• Along with the lab manager, integrates the activities of a casting team, production team, mechanical integration team, metrology team, polishing science team, software engineer, and procurement/safety team to cast, move, lift, grind, polish, measure the surface figure of, and mechanically support large telescope mirrors. Ensures activities in the lab support the leading PIs and meet the contractual requirements negotiated with the customers for mirrors costing between $16 million and $25 million with surface figures deviating from specification by only 20 nanometers on average. Directs the teams actively working on as many as four large mirrors at once in different states of production (each mirror takes 4 to 6 years to complete).
• Ensures the lab and its equipment meet the needs of the projects and team members. Computer-controlled equipment includes a 10-meter diameter rotating furnace, three-axis mill, large optical generating (machining) machine, large optical polishing machine, and at least seven different surface figure measuring tests. Other equipment includes nine overhead cranes; two scissor lifts; two forklifts; three vehicles; an air cart for moving 70K-lb objects; three polishing cells; and a 95-foot tall, 75-ton test tower on air bags. Directs maintenance and upgrade, when necessary, of all equipment. Oversees the development and updating of written and software-guided procedures for the processes conducted and ensures they do not expose personnel or property to hazards and meet safety requirements set forth by the University and government.
• Using SolidWorks, Inventor, or a similar computer aided design application, model and design mechanical structures used to support, suspend, or move giant mirrors; machine, grind, and polish glass surfaces--to include motors and gearing; precisely locate and move metrology equipment; provide fall protection for personnel and protection for mirrors and equipment; and modify existing equipment in accordance with requirements identified by scientists, engineers, and technicians.
• Oversees the fabrication of mechanical systems from design through deployment, whether designed personally or by other mechanical engineers. Conducts planning, acquisition, redesign, and alteration to carry design to deployment and operation. Drafts assembly procedures when complexity requires. Fills in materials requirements gaps and tolerancing when not specified. Works with scientists and engineers to identify tolerances that can be built on the scale of the large mirrors within time and resources available.
• Supervises six mechanical technicians and an electrician. Directs their activities within the laboratory and also coordinate with other units in Steward Observatory and the College of Optical Sciences when they require mechanical technician support. Provides technical guidance and quality assurance of their work as they build and modify requisite structures and conduct maintenance on the equipment in the Mirror Lab.

• Bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering plus 7 years experience in mechanical engineering, and 3 years of managerial experience.

• Demonstrated experience in designing, maintaining, and troubleshooting large production equipment.
• Demonstrated experience in managing large complex projects.
• Demonstrated experience in writing technical procedures.
• Demonstrated experience managing risk to personnel, product and equipment (safety).