Software and Controls Integration & Test Lead

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.

Software and Controls

Software and Controls Manager

The Giant Magellan Telescope’s (GMT) Software and Controls (SWC) team is pursuing an experienced and team-oriented Software and Controls Integration & Test Lead to work on the integration and tests of the Observatory Control System (OCS) and different Device Control System (DCS) for the observatory subsystems.

Reporting to the Software and Controls Manager, the Software and Controls Integration and Test Lead will be responsible for preparing, designing, and executing integration and test plans for the different software and controls subsystems at the observatory. These subsystems include device control systems for the primary mirror, enclosure, telescope mount, active and adaptive optics systems, metrology subsystems, and science instruments, as well as software needed for integrated observatory operations.

This position will work closely with the Software and Controls team, the Systems Engineering team and different elements to deliver and implement high-quality integration and test plans to the end users of the GMT control system.

The Software and Controls Integration and Test Lead must have equivalent experience in similar projects. Travel to Arizona, Chile and other locations will be required to test software and controls subsystems with the hardware.

• Create integration and test requirements for all software and controls subsystems
• Design and implement software integration and test plans and process workflows
• Define and provide required test hardware and software test tools
• Execute software and controls integration and test plans, and adapt as required
• Collaborate with Systems Engineering and other elements to verify that plans are complete and consistent with the overall system-level plans
• Prepare software test procedures and reports
• Lead software and controls developers to design, implement, execute, and document software and controls integration and test plans for system and subsystem design reviews

• MS in Software Engineering, Control Engineering or equivalent
• 5 years relevant experience in large telescope control systems or similar projects
• Strong knowledge of software testing strategies, tactics, techniques, and tools
• Significant experience integrating and testing complex control systems
• Relevant experience with continuous integration and regression tests
• Significant experience with software quality assurance and software quality metrics
• Demonstrated ability to work in a team environment
• Ability to work with cross-functional work teams and users
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills

• Experience using software verification and validation standards
• Experience with SysML and UML
• Experience in agile projects
• Previous experience in telescope control systems

• 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.

$135,000- $165,000

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.