Back to jobs
What are Trust Fund Positions?
Conditions of Employment
Resumes should include a description of your paid and non-paid work experience that is related to this job; starting and ending dates of job (month and year); and average number of hours worked per week.
What To Expect Next: Once the vacancy announcement closes, a review of your resume will be compared against the qualification and experience requirements related to this job. After review of applicant resumes is complete, qualified candidates will be referred to the hiring manager.
The Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory is an equal opportunity employer. Please visit the SAO website at http://www.cfa.harvard.edu/
Electronics Engineer, IS-855-13
Cambridge, MA$119K - $155K / yearPosted 5 months ago
Full Timeonsitemid
Job Description
Electronics Engineer, IS-855-13
Application Deadline: 8 May 2026
Department: Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory
Employment Type: Full Time
Location: Cambridge, MA
Compensation: $119,355 - $155,164 / year
Description
OPENING DATE: November 25, 2025
CLOSING DATE: May 8, 2026
SERIES/GRADE: IS-855-13
TYPE OF POSITION: Trust Indefinite (Non-Federal)
DIVISION: Central Engineering
LOCATION: Cambridge, MA
AREA OF CONSIDERATION: This position is open to all qualified candidates eligible to work in the United States
This position requires access to export-controlled work. The candidate must be a U.S. person (citizen, permanent resident, or a national of a country eligible to be approved on an export license.
CLOSING DATE: May 8, 2026
SERIES/GRADE: IS-855-13
TYPE OF POSITION: Trust Indefinite (Non-Federal)
DIVISION: Central Engineering
LOCATION: Cambridge, MA
AREA OF CONSIDERATION: This position is open to all qualified candidates eligible to work in the United States
This position requires access to export-controlled work. The candidate must be a U.S. person (citizen, permanent resident, or a national of a country eligible to be approved on an export license.
What are Trust Fund Positions?
Trust Fund positions are unique to the Smithsonian. They are paid for from a variety of sources, including the Smithsonian endowment, revenue from our business activities, donations, grants and contracts. Trust employees are not part of the civil service, nor does trust fund employment lead to Federal status. The salary ranges for trust positions are generally the same as for federal positions and in many cases trust and federal employees work side by side. Trust employees have their own benefit program, which may include Health, Dental & Vision Insurance, Life Insurance, Transit/Commuter Benefits, Accidental Death and Dismemberment Insurance, Annual and Sick Leave, Family Friendly Leave, 403b Retirement Plan, Discounts for Smithsonian Memberships, Museum Stores and Restaurants, Credit Union, Flexible Spending Account (Health & Dependent Care).
Conditions of Employment
- Pass Pre-employment Background Check and Subsequent Background Investigation, as required.
- Complete a Probationary Period if applicable.
- Maintain a Bank Account for Direct Deposit/Electronic Transfer.
- The position is open to all candidates eligible to work in the United States. Proof of eligibility to work in U.S. is not required to apply.
- Applicants must meet all qualification and eligibility requirements within 30 days of the closing date of this announcement.
OVERVIEW
INTRODUCTION
The Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory (SAO) is at the forefront, internationally, of the scientific exploration of the universe. SAO combines its resources with those of the Harvard College Observatory to form the Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics (CfA). The CfA is the best-known astrophysics center in the world. Its programs range from ground-based astronomy and astrophysics research to space-based research, the engineering and development of major scientific instrumentation for space launch and use in large ground-based facilities, and research designed to improve science education. The research objectives of SAO are carried out primarily with the support of Government and Smithsonian Institution funds, with additional philanthropic support. Government funds are in the form of Federal appropriations or the form of contracts and grants from other agencies. In contrast, Institution funds are available to SAO through grants from the Institution's Restricted Funds, Special Purpose Funds, Bureau Activities, Business Activities, and non-Federal contracts and grants.
SUMMARY
The purpose of the position is to provide expert electronics/electrical systems engineering support to the development of advanced instrumentation for ground-based and space-based astrophysical and astronomical data collection on various Central Engineering supported projects.
The Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory (SAO) is at the forefront, internationally, of the scientific exploration of the universe. SAO combines its resources with those of the Harvard College Observatory to form the Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics (CfA). The CfA is the best-known astrophysics center in the world. Its programs range from ground-based astronomy and astrophysics research to space-based research, the engineering and development of major scientific instrumentation for space launch and use in large ground-based facilities, and research designed to improve science education. The research objectives of SAO are carried out primarily with the support of Government and Smithsonian Institution funds, with additional philanthropic support. Government funds are in the form of Federal appropriations or the form of contracts and grants from other agencies. In contrast, Institution funds are available to SAO through grants from the Institution's Restricted Funds, Special Purpose Funds, Bureau Activities, Business Activities, and non-Federal contracts and grants.
SUMMARY
The purpose of the position is to provide expert electronics/electrical systems engineering support to the development of advanced instrumentation for ground-based and space-based astrophysical and astronomical data collection on various Central Engineering supported projects.
MAJOR DUTIES
- Architect and oversee development of electrical systems, subsystems, modules, and components for advanced instrumentation.
- Partners with scientific investigators to define the electrical requirements of new projects, translate scientific objectives into instrument performance characteristics and achievable hardware.
- Prepare and manage cost and schedule estimates for hardware design, fabrication, test, and calibration; manage the resources required to accomplish the goals; and maintain a technical overview of the project.
- Document work in technical memoranda, reports, test plans, and procedures, and present work to scientists and engineers.
- Provide hands-on support of the build, test, and integration of new electrical hardware designs for instruments and support existing instrument hardware in the field.
- Provide technical leadership and direction to, and liaison with, hardware contractors and sub-contractors as required.
- Investigate, select, justify, and oversee procurement of critical electrical, electro-optical, and servo-mechanical components used in astrophysical instrumentation and its development.
- Plan and direct the activities of technicians and designers in areas related to the design and fabrication of electronic assemblies.
- Serve as technical consultation to CfA scientists and other engineering staff in instrument electrical design.
- Travel, both domestically and internationally, to telescope sites, vendor facilities NASA centers, and the facilities of other associated organizations in support of proposal, design, calibration, test, integration, and mission operations.
QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS
Basic Requirements:
(A) Degree: professional engineering. To be acceptable, the curriculum must: (1) be in a school of engineering with at least one curriculum accredited by the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET) as a professional engineering curriculum
or
(A) Degree: professional engineering. To be acceptable, the curriculum must: (1) be in a school of engineering with at least one curriculum accredited by the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET) as a professional engineering curriculum
or
(2) include differential and integral calculus and courses (more advanced than first-year physics and chemistry) in five of the following seven areas of engineering science or physics: (a) statics, dynamics; (b) strength of materials (stress-strain relationships); (c) fluid mechanics, hydraulics; (d) thermodynamics; (e) electrical fields and circuits; (f) nature and properties of materials (relating particle and aggregate structure to properties); and (g) any other comparable area of fundamental engineering science or physics, such as optics, heat transfer, soil mechanics, or electronics.
OR
(B) Combination of education and experience--college-level education, training, and/or technical experience that furnished (1) a thorough knowledge of the physical and mathematical sciences underlying professional engineering, and (2) a good understanding, both theoretical and practical, of the engineering sciences and techniques and their applications to one of the branches of engineering.
OR
(B) Combination of education and experience--college-level education, training, and/or technical experience that furnished (1) a thorough knowledge of the physical and mathematical sciences underlying professional engineering, and (2) a good understanding, both theoretical and practical, of the engineering sciences and techniques and their applications to one of the branches of engineering.
Additional Requirements: Candidates must possess at least one year of specialized experience at or above the grade 12 level in similar positions. Specialized experience for this position would include significant experience in general electrical engineering, experience supporting architecting system level electrical designs using both commercial and custom electronics, and supporting project design reviews and participating in other projects’ reviews.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities required:
1. Expert knowledge of the concepts, principles and practices of electrical engineering, in order to investigate, design, and provide consultative services to the development of a range of electronics for ground-based and space-borne instrumentation for astrophysical data collection, as well as its associated test, calibration and ground support equipment.
1. Expert knowledge of the concepts, principles and practices of electrical engineering, in order to investigate, design, and provide consultative services to the development of a range of electronics for ground-based and space-borne instrumentation for astrophysical data collection, as well as its associated test, calibration and ground support equipment.
2. Ability to provide consultative and coordinative services in electronics/electrical systems design and analysis, system resource budgeting, documentation, proposal preparation, and test activities.
3. Knowledge of electrical schematic and board layout CAD/CAM tools.
4. Knowledge of analog design techniques and design simulation tools (i.e. SPICE);
5. Experience with digital design techniques using FPGA based digital and analog signal processing systems.
6. Working knowledge of related engineering fields such as software, thermal, mechanical, optical and/or structural in order to collaborate on instrument design.
7. Strong oral and written communications skills, including the ability to serve as a technical spokesperson for SAO in areas related to the electronics of advanced instrumentation.
Education completed outside the United States must be deemed equivalent to higher education programs of U.S. Institutions by an organization that specializes in the interpretation of foreign educational credentials. This documentation is the responsibility of the applicant and should be included as part of your application package.
Any false statement in your application may result in rejection of your application and may also result in termination after employment begins.
Join us in "Inspiring Generations through Knowledge and Discovery."
Resumes should include a description of your paid and non-paid work experience that is related to this job; starting and ending dates of job (month and year); and average number of hours worked per week.
What To Expect Next: Once the vacancy announcement closes, a review of your resume will be compared against the qualification and experience requirements related to this job. After review of applicant resumes is complete, qualified candidates will be referred to the hiring manager.
Relocation expenses are not paid.
The Smithsonian Institution provides reasonable accommodation to applicants with disabilities where appropriate. Applicants requiring reasonable accommodation should contact [email protected]. Determinations on requests for reasonable accommodation will be made on a case-by-case basis. To learn more, please review the Smithsonian’s Accommodation Procedures.
The Smithsonian Institution provides reasonable accommodation to applicants with disabilities where appropriate. Applicants requiring reasonable accommodation should contact [email protected]. Determinations on requests for reasonable accommodation will be made on a case-by-case basis. To learn more, please review the Smithsonian’s Accommodation Procedures.
The Smithsonian Institution is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We believe that a workforce comprising a variety of educational, cultural, and experiential backgrounds support and enhance our daily work life and contribute to the richness of our exhibitions and programs. See Smithsonian EEO program information: https://www.si.edu/oeesd.
The Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory is an equal opportunity employer. Please visit the SAO website at http://www.cfa.harvard.edu/