Electronics Engineer, IS-0855-15

OPENING DATE: August 27, 2026 CLOSING DATE: October 13, 2026 SERIES/GRADE: 0855/15 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 national of a country eligible for approval under 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.

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

This position serves as a senior Electronics Engineer providing authoritative technical leadership, program direction, and expert-level engineering judgment for extraordinarily complex, mission‑critical electronic systems. The incumbent is recognized as a national expert whose work directly influences agency-wide engineering policy, long‑term technology strategy, and high‑visibility programs with multi‑year funding and interagency impact. The engineer leads advanced research, systems engineering, integration, and lifecycle management of sophisticated electronic architectures, including RF systems, embedded control systems, high‑reliability instrumentation, and mission‑critical communication networks.

• Uses broad knowledge of state-of-the-art to conceive, plan, and execute complex and varied assignments in the electrical engineering required to develop innovative instrumentation for astrophysical and astronomical data collection, as well as for its associated test, calibration, and other ground support equipment. Conceives, designs, and oversees development of complex state-of-the-art electrical/electronic systems, subsystems, modules, and components. Provides technical consultation to CfA scientists and other engineering staff in instrument electrical design. Translates scientific objectives into achievable hardware that exploits or extends state-of-the art, advances current technology, and works with scientific investigators to establish the electrical/electronic requirements of new projects. Analyzes scientific data collection requirements, translates these requirements into instrument performance characteristics, and develops instrument concepts and preliminary systems diagrams. Performs critical trade-off analyses of various design implementations. Makes and documents recommendations for optimum methods considering both known and anticipated operating environments. Evaluates manufacturers’ performance capability data for discrete, hybrid, and integrated circuitry, components, and systems. Incorporates analysis results into design decisions. Prepares cost and schedule estimates for hardware design, fabrication, test, and calibration, including supporting documentation. Extensive documents work in technical memoranda, reports, test plans, procedures, and presentations.
• Defends proposals from the funding agency and/or scientific peer review panels in support of the Principal Investigator. Troubleshoots and analyzes complex technical problems encountered on CE projects, identifies and recommends solutions, and oversees their implementation. From conceptual design through project completion, it provides leadership in design, analysis, and documentation. Maintains a technical overview of the project in process and has ultimate responsibility for the design and test integrity of the contract or project end item. Chooses appropriate technologies, establishes technical priorities, and performs conceptual, systems level, and detail design. Prepares cost estimates, schedules, plans, technical reports, and engineering input to project proposals; supervises engineers, designers, and technicians assigned to the project; and maintains engineering budgets and schedules. Provides technical leadership and direction to, and liaison with, hardware contractors and sub-contractors as required. Investigates, selects, justifies, and oversees procurement of critical electrical, electro-optical, and servo-mechanical components used in astrophysical instrumentation and its development.
• Makes both oral and written presentations to project scientists and technical representatives of contracting agencies and cooperating or affiliated organizations: Either singly or in collaboration with project scientists and other engineers, may author technical papers recording innovative design techniques and criteria, and present papers to technical symposia in the specialty field. 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 activities.

Advanced Systems Engineering & Architecture

• Leads the design, development, and validation of complex electronic systems requiring integration of RF, digital, analog, embedded, and communication subsystems. Establishes system architecture, performance requirements, interface specifications, and verification strategies for multi‑platform, multi‑agency systems. Provides authoritative technical determinations on feasibility, risk, and long‑term engineering direction.

Research, Innovation & Technical Authority

• Conduct and directs advanced engineering research to solve unprecedented technical challenges. Develops new methodologies, models, algorithms, and analytical tools that shape agency engineering standards. Serves as a recognized subject‑matter expert providing authoritative interpretations of engi