Senior Controls Engineer

AURA/NSO is hiring for a Senior Controls Engineer (Sr CE) to provide senior technical leadership and end-to-end controls engineering expertise for the ngGONG telescope design project. This role is responsible for the ngGONG-wide controls and electronics architecture, spanning facility and rack-level power distribution and electrical/electronic/control systems for telescopes, instruments, safety, and observatory electronics.

The Sr CE leads and contributes to the design of complex electronics control systems; manages assigned controls/electronic design work packages; and collaborates closely with multidisciplinary engineering teams, scientists, site/facility stakeholders, and external partners. The position solves complex controls and coordination challenges and supports project cost, schedule, risk, safety, and technical performance objectives throughout the design lifecycle.

This position supports the currently funded design phase of ngGONG and is expected to continue into subsequent construction phases pending standard NSF project approvals.

This position is based in Boulder, Colorado, on the University of Colorado campus.

What You'll Do

• Develop and maintain a thorough understanding of ngGONG scientific requirements, system specifications, design standards, and interface requirements, and translate them into appropriate controls and electronic system architectures.
• Lead control and electronic engineering design activities for major ngGONG systems from concept development through final design, including rack and electronics power distribution, telescope/light feed controls systems, instrumentation, detector electronics, safety, and observatory support systems.
• Define and maintain ngGONG's control and electronic system architecture, covering electronics power distribution, grounding and bonding, rack distribution, and observatory subsystems.
• Develop system architectures for electronics power distribution, UPS and backup power, power conditioning and quality control, telescope and instrumentation control systems and electronics consistent with performance, reliability, safety, and availability requirements.
• Define UPS, power conditioning, and power quality strategies for telescopes, instruments, critical IT/electronics, and infrastructure, including ride-through, redundancy, and monitoring requirements.
• Lead the design of control, servo, and PLC-based systems, including definition of control strategies, drive and I/O architectures, and interfaces to motion control, telescope, and instrument subsystems.
• Lead the design and standardization of electronic racks and enclosures for ngGONG, including power distribution, safety interlocks, grounding and shielding practices, cable management, environmental monitoring, and serviceability.
• Perform and oversee engineering analyses and simulations to verify control system performance, reliability, and compliance with requirements and applicable codes/standards.
• Identify technical risks, design tradeoffs, and opportunities for innovation to improve performance, constructability, maintainability, and lifecycle cost of control and electronics systems.
• Initiate and guide engineering studies, simulations, and technology evaluations (e.g., UPS topologies, drive/control platforms, detector electronics options) to support major design decisions.
• Solve complex controls and electronic engineering problems that may extend beyond established practices or prior observatory designs, including multi-site and international constraints.
• Manage assigned controls/electronic design work packages, including scope definition, schedule coordination, cost and resource input, and delivery of technical documentation and design artifacts.
• Coordinate controls and electronic interfaces with mechanical, optical, thermal, software, civil, and facilities engineering disciplines.
• Define controls and electronics requirements for buildings, site utilities, and SBF (Site-Buildings-Fitout) work packages, and provide technical oversight and review of deliverables related to controls and low-voltage systems.
• Participate in and support formal design reviews at system and subsystem levels, providing clear, well-documented controls/electronic content, recommendations, and closure of assigned actions.
• Support development of integration, test, commissioning, operations, and maintenance concepts for controls and electronic systems, including remote diagnostics, monitoring, and sparing strategies.
• Ensure controls and electronic designs comply with applicable codes, standards, safety requirements, and environmental and heritage constraints across all ngGONG sites..
• Establish and maintain ngGONG controls and electronics design standards (for example, wiring practices, labeling, documentation templates, rack standards, grounding and EMC practices) and ensure compliance across internal and contracted work.
• Prepare and review engineering drawings, specifications, analyses, schematics, rack layouts, and other technical documentation suitable for construction, integration, and commissioning phases.
• Communicate technical progress, risks, issues, and design outcomes to project leadership, systems engineering, and other stakeholders in a clear and timely manner.

Why NSO?

At the National Solar Observatory, you'll join a mission-driven community working at the frontier of solar science. Our teams are dedicated to understanding the Sun in ways that protect technology, enhance scientific discovery, and inspire global audiences. NSO offers a collaborative, forward-thinking environment where curiosity is encouraged, varied perspectives are valued, and employees can make a tangible impact on science and society. Here, you will have the opportunity to grow your career, lead innovative outreach programs, and help shape the national conversation around solar physics and space weather.

Required Education / Experience / Skills / Abilities:

• Bachelor's degree in Controls, Electrical or Electronics Engineering or a closely related discipline.
• Minimum of 10 years of progressively responsible experience in controls and electronic system design for complex technical systems.
• Demonstrated experience in control system architecture, analysis, and design for large-scale and/or high-precision systems.
• Familiarity with applicable electrical, controls, and safety codes and standards.
• Working knowledge of PLC-based control systems and control/servo system design concepts.
• Experience with analog and digital circuit design.
• Ability to independently identify, analyze, and resolve complex engineering problems using advanced engineering methods.
• Experience using standard controls and electronics test and analysis equipment.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, including preparation of high-quality technical documentation.
• Ability to collaborate effectively with multidisciplinary teams and external partners.

Preferred / Desirable Education / Experience / Skills / Abilities:

• Masters Degree in Controls, Electrical or Electronic Engineering, Professional Engineer (PE) or Chartered Engineer credential.
• Experience leading electrical design for large scientific, research, or astronomical facilities.
• Experience with advanced control system design, including servo optimization and tuning.
• Experience with PLC platforms such as Allen-Bradley, Beckhoff, Delta Tau, or similar systems.
• Experience with Siemens SINAMICS or comparable drive systems.
• Experience with MATLAB/Simulink or equivalent tools for modeling and simulation of control systems.
• Familiarity with motion control platforms.
• Experience with CAD and ECAD tools (e.g., EPLAN, AutoCAD Electrical, Altium Designer).
• Experience developing design documentation suitable for construction, integration, and commissioning phases.
• Experience with optical detector systems (CCD/CMOS and/or infrared detectors and controllers).
• Proven technical leadership or work-package leadership experience on complex projects.

Physical Requirements

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Must be able to remain in a stationary position at least 50% of the time.
• Occasional need to move about inside the office environment to access files, office tools, attendance in a meeting room, etc.
• Constantly operates a computer and other office productivity tools that require fine motor skills, such as a calculator, copy machine, computer printer, etc.
• May occasionally need to position self to maintain computer and related tools.
• Seldomly needed to move objects up to 10 pounds.
• Constant communication with other individuals. Must be able to discern and exchange information as appropriate to the situation.
• Constant need to distinguish, discern, and identify a variety of objects and fine details with accuracy.
• Occasional work at high elevation summit sites may be required (summit elevations range from 6,800 feet to 14,000 feet)

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by individuals assigned to this position. They are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all duties, responsibilities and skills required by personnel so classified. This Institute promotes Equal Employment Opportunity workplace that includes reasonable accommodations to otherwise qualified, disabled applicants and employees.

Salary and Benefits

Salary range: $130,000-$165,000. The final salary will depend on skills, qualifications, and experience.

AURA offers an excellent benefits package including paid time off and retirement plan contributions, competitive salary commensurate with experience, and a very attractive work environment. Details on benefits can be found at Benefits by Location - Aura Human Resources

About NSO and AURA
The National Solar Observatory is operated by the Association of Universities for Research in Astronomy (AURA), a consortium of leading universities and research institutions committed to advancing astronomical discovery. AURA manages world-class observatories for the National Science Foundation, providing scientific leadership, operational excellence, and a collaborative environment that supports groundbreaking research. As part of AURA, NSO benefits from shared resources and a community dedicated to innovation, transparency, and public service, ensuring its work has broad and lasting impact.

How to Apply:

If you're interested in providing high-level engineering support for a mission-driven scientific program at one of the world's premier observatories, we encourage you to apply. Applications received by April 1, 2026 will receive priority consideration. This position will remain open until filled.

Submit your CV and cover letter (PDF format preferred) via our application system. Please name your files in the format: Lastname_Docname.pdf.

Individuals needing assistance with the employment process can request assistance here

Equal Opportunity Employer

This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws.
For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.