Quality Assurance Manager

The Giant Magellan Telescope is the most powerful ground-based telescope ever engineered. It was designed to push the boundaries of human knowledge and discover the unknown. With unmatched image quality, seven of the world’s largest mirrors will launch our view into the universe to uncover the cosmic mysteries of dark matter, investigate the origins of chemical elements, and search for signs of life on distant exoplanets for the first time.

The 30-meter class telescope is under construction at Las Campanas Observatory in Chile’s Atacama Desert, one of the best locations on Earth to view the heavens. From this unrivaled vantage into the southern sky, the Giant Magellan Telescope will produce the sharpest and most detailed images ever taken of our universe.

When complete in the late 2020s, the Giant Magellan Telescope will be the largest public-private funded science project in history. The endeavor was founded by an international consortium of leading universities and research institutions representing five countries, and is managed by the GMTO Corporation, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization based in Pasadena, California. Our culture is impactful, inclusive, and fearlessly innovative. We solve the most difficult engineering challenges and scientific questions with talented individuals who share a passion for revolutionizing humanity’s knowledge of the universe.

We invite you to join our team and leave your mark on astronomy’s future and beyond.

The Universe Awaits.

Project Manager

The GMT Quality Assurance Manager will be responsible for implementing a robust Quality Assurance (QA) program for the GMT project that includes implementing a comprehensive Quality Management System (QMS), quality control and inspection, non-conformance tracking and assessment; risk analysis and assessment, and problem/failure reporting. The QA program will cover all aspects of the GMT Observatory, including optical and structural elements; electronic parts; software; opto-mechanical assemblies; drives, bearings, mechanisms, and other moving parts; and contamination control. The scope of the work involves developing the quality assurance requirements and plans and overseeing their implementation across the GMT team, including partners, subcontractors and suppliers.
The Quality Assurance Manager will work closely with the GMT Safety Manager to ensure the reliable and safe construction and operation of the GMT Observatory.
This position will require both domestic and international travel to various locations where work is being performed, including the Observatory site in Chile.

• Plan, develop and implement the GMT Quality Assurance Plan, tailored appropriately to the needs of the project.
• Implementation of a comprehensive Quality Management System following industry best practices and conforming to an ISO9001 standard.
• Ensure all aspects of product quality assurance by developing and monitoring adherence to technical, process, materials, and testing standards, as well as best practices.
• Provide management oversight and audits of subcontractors and suppliers to determine compliance with appropriate standards, regulations, and best practices.
• Develop and implement a problem reporting and waiver system tailored to the needs of the project.
• Work with construction management and project management professionals to develop and implement independent certified inspection procedures for the civil construction of the GMT Observatory.
• Participate in design reviews to address quality assurance aspects.
• Support project management in assessing, managing, and mitigating risk throughout the project life cycle, and supporting the implementation of project risk management plans.
• Evaluate subcontractor and supplier QA and manufacturing plans during selection processes.
• Negotiate with the project manager the appropriate resources and managing the effort within that budget.
• Report, on a regular basis, tracking metrics and other data to assess performance of the Quality Assurance program, including budget and schedule performance.

• Bachelor’s degree in Quality Management or Quality Assurance or related discipline
• Minimum of 5 years of professional experience with quality and reliability practices for large and/or complex projects.
• Knowledge of product assurance standards, regulations, and best practices.
• Experience with nonconformance processes including material review boards, failure review boards, problem/failure reports, and audits.
• Previous experience with quality management standards such as ISO 9000/9001 for hardware and software.
• Previous experience working in an engineering environment and interfacing with highly technical teams.
• Experience at performing/managing multiple tasks concurrently and resolving conflicts.
• Demonstrated technical, leadership, interpersonal skills and comfortable working with all levels of a team-oriented technical organization.
• Prior experience developing budgets, tracking costs and working with financial systems and tools.
• Excellent written and oral communication and presentation skills with the ability to read, analyze and interpret technical procedures and standards.
• Expertise with Microsoft Office applications (Word, Excel, Power Point).
• Capable of accepting overall accountability for cost, schedule, and technical performance of the Quality Assurance program.

• Master’s degree in Quality Management or Quality Assurance or related discipline required with a minimum of 7 years of professional experience with quality and reliability practices with large and/or complex projects exceeding $100 million in capital costs
• Previous experience developing training programs on quality assurance/quality control topics
• Ability to speak and read Spanish

• Medical insurance
• Vision insurance
• Dental insurance
• Disability insurance
• 401(k)

GMTO has implemented a mandatory vaccination policy effective March 14, 2022, requiring COVID-19 vaccinations for all employees (with GMTO-approved exemptions for religious or medical reasons only). At present, an individual is deemed “fully vaccinated” for Covid-19 two weeks after they have received the second dose in a two-dose series, or two weeks after they have received a single-dose vaccine. GMTO management may revise the definition of Fully Vaccinated in this Policy based on guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention or the Safer Federal Workforce Task Force or other relevant Government or Health agencies. Any changes will be communicated to all employees before its effective date.

As a condition of employment, employees must submit official COVID-19 vaccine documentation.

$130,000- $175,000

The salary for this role will be set based on a variety of factors, including but not limited to, internal equity, experience, education, and training.

To apply send your resume and a cover letter to careers@gmto.org.

If your skills and experience are a match for the position or if we need additional information, we will contact you. If we do not see a suitable match between your qualifications and the position, we will keep your information on file in the event future positions become available that are more suitable to your qualifications.

We are an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, or national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.