Direct and oversee the team in manufacturing assemblies from engineering concepts and designs, including managing raw material purchasing and component fabrication.
Supervise the retrieval, modification, and reuse of existing assemblies from remote storage locations, coordinating necessary local travel.
Ensure quality standards are met during the production of critical assemblies, including laps, tooling, mirror cells, and their respective sub-assemblies.
Equipment Configuration Management
Manage and coordinate the configuration of mirror production equipment, such as grinding and polishing machines, to support production goals.
Oversee the assembly, installation, and inspection of custom mirror mount interfaces, grinding/polishing tools, and required safety devices or structures.
Test Tower & Metrology Operations Leadership
Direct staff and oversee the complex assembly and disassembly of test tower assemblies and metrology systems.
Manage custom configurations of the 4-story test tower, ensuring team compliance with safety protocols, correct operation of cranes/lifts, and mandatory fall protection/harness training.
Facilities & Procurement Support
Provide facilities support by managing vendor selection, assisting with quotes, and overseeing the purchasing and maintenance of lab equipment in compliance with regulations.
Delegate facilities tasks appropriately or directly supervise personnel to maintain safe and efficient laboratory operations.
Team Supervision & Performance Evaluation
Plan day-to-day activities, assign work, and formally supervise the team of hourly mechanical technicians.
Responsible for training staff, establishing clear performance expectations, and evaluating outcomes against safety, quality, cost, and schedule metrics.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
Ability to lead a small team of technicians
Ability to safely handle optics
Ability to use measurement tools used in tooling construction and mirror characterization
Ability to write and follow procedures
Ability to work at heights in both restraint and fall arrest
Ability to communicate with scientists and engineers
Ability to develop, assemble, and use large mirror tooling, including laps, handling equipment, and mirror cells, while maintaining a strong focus on safety