Mechanical Engineer II

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Our Mission & Values

• Stewardship – We care for our people, facilities, environment, and community with integrity and long-term responsibility. 
• Service – We prioritize collective impact, supporting one another, the global astronomy community, and our local Hawaiʻi community to achieve shared goals. 
• Collaboration & Inclusion – We work across disciplines and perspectives to solve complex challenges and advance discovery together. 
• Excellence & Safety – We deliver high-quality work while maintaining a strong commitment to operational excellence and safety in everything we do. 

Why Choose W. M. Keck Observatory:

• Competitive starting annual compensation ranging from $108,914 to $132,397.
• Generous benefits package, including 4 weeks of annual paid vacation.
• Robust 403(b) retirement plan featuring an 8% employer contribution with a 4% mandatory employee contribution.
• Tuition assistance for dependent children grades K-12 attending private school on Hawai’i Island.
• Comprehensive employer-provided health insurance, with a variety of coverage options available to employees.
• Opportunity to be part of a dedicated team advancing the frontiers of astronomy

Key Responsibilities

• Provide mechanical engineering design, analysis, test, and integration expertise for the development of new observatory capabilities and upgrades to existing systems.
• Provide design and analysis of mechanical and opto-mechanical systems and components using 3D computer aided design (CAD) and finite element analysis (FEA).

• Lead Assembly, Test, Troubleshoot, and Repair of new and existing mechanical systems including structures, drives, mechanisms, opto-mechanical assemblies, hydraulics, pneumatics, etc.

• Generate technical documentation to American Society Mechanical Engineering (ASME) Geometric dimensioning and tolerancing (GD&T) and Drawing standards.

• Generate installation and operations procedures for new systems and modifications for operations staff.

• Ensure personnel and equipment safety through review of engineering designs and implementation plans, with rigor and accountability.

• Coordinate and lead multi-disciplined teams to champion sound systems engineering, requirements management, and project management.
• Organize and lead summit installation of mechanical systems by coordinating with project management, engineers, summit supervisors, and technicians.
• Provide technical leadership and project management support for subcontracts encompassing design, analysis, fabrication, installation, and repair efforts.

Skills, Knowledge and Expertise

• Bachelor of Science degree in mechanical engineering or a related degree.

• Five (5) years of mechanical systems hardware development experience.
• Well versed in mechanical engineering principles, including mechanics of materials, heat transfer, fluid mechanics, and mechanical design
• Experience building a machine that moves and requires power.
• Experience with testing and field installation of mechanical systems.
• Experience generating and leading design reviews.
  
  

• Advanced proficiency in using 3D CAD software. SolidWorks preferred.
• Experience using Finite Element Analysis (FEA) to analyze parts and assemblies. SolidWorks Simulation or ANSYS preferred. 
• Proficiency with Product Data Management (PDM) systems and CAD data configuration management. SolidWorks PDM preferred.
• Proficiency in Geometric Dimensioning and Tolerancing (GD&T) per ASME Y14.5.
• Proficiency in creating part and assembly drawings according to ASME Y14.100.
• Proficiency in Engineering Change (EC) control, engineering design review, and drawing release processes.
• Proficiency creating technical engineering documentation including reports and procedures.