Systems Engineer, Senior- Steward Observatory (Updated)

Systems Engineer, Senior- Steward Observatory (Updated)

Posting Number
req25271

Department
Steward Observatory

Department Website Link

Location
Tucson Campus

Address
Tucson, AZ USA

Position Highlights

Please note, the Position Highlights have been updated to include additional information about the position.

The University of Arizona's Steward Observatory invites you to apply to the role of Systems Engineer, Senior. The candidate must be experienced in leading multidisciplinary engineering teams that have successfully delivered complex, high-precision opto- mechanical systems for both ground-based and space-based astronomical instrumentation. This position plays a central role in the development of systems level documentation, including the top-level Requirements Document and all lower-level requirement specifications that establish the subsystem baseline design. The engineer will contribute directly to Steward Observatory's portfolio of advanced instrumentation projects, including a high-visibility, privately funded space mission.

The successful candidate must have strong communication skills and be able to represent the engineering team professionally in both internal and external technical engagements. The Systems Engineer, Senior is expected to be a motivated self-starter capable of working independently and leading others. This includes guiding engineering teams through complex technical challenges, facilitating trade studies, and establishing structured approaches to ensure robust, mission-aligned solutions.

Outstanding UA benefits include health, dental, and vision insurance plans; life insurance and disability programs; paid vacation, sick leave, and holidays; UA/ASU/NAU tuition reduction for the employee and qualified family members; retirement plans; access to UA recreation and cultural activities; and more!

The University of Arizona has been recognized for our innovative work-life programs. For more information about working at the University of Arizona and relocations services, please click here .

Duties & Responsibilities

• Lead systemsengineering activities for both groundbased and spacebased instrumentation programs, including a highvisibility, privately funded space mission.
• Develop system architectures, technical strategies, and engineering processes that ensure mission success across the full project lifecycle.
• Provide technical leadership, mentorship, and direction to multidisciplinary teams across mechanical, optical, electrical, software, and systems domains.
• Own the development, maintenance, and configuration control of the toplevel Requirements Document and all lowertier subsystem requirement specifications.
• Perform requirements decomposition, allocation, and traceability to ensure clarity, testability, and alignment with engineering and science objectives.
• Lead verification and validation planning, including the creation of verification matrices and compliance documentation.
• Establish and maintain system and subsystem design baselines, ensuring all changes follow formal configurationmanagement processes.
• Create and manage systemsengineering documentation, including architecture diagrams, interface control documents (ICDs), risk registers, and V&V plans.
• Oversee integration planning and readiness for both groundbased and spaceflight hardware, ensuring interface consistency and adherence to mission assurance requirements.
• Evaluate verification results and assess compliance with performance, reliability, environmental, and operational specifications.
• Facilitate and lead trade studies, engineering assessments, and decision processes that span multiple technical domains.
• Coordinate interface definition and problem resolution across engineering teams, external collaborators, and facility partners.
• Ensure alignment between subsystem designs and the overall system architecture.
• Identify technical risks, develop mitigation strategies, and maintain riskmanagement documentation.
• Guide rootcause analysis efforts, define corrective actions, and ensure proper documentation of technical resolutions.
• Present systemsengineering status, findings, and recommendations during internal reviews, technical interchange meetings, and external partner reviews.
• Represent the engineering team professionally in interactions with collaborators, vendors, and stakeholders associated with the privately funded space mission.
• Communicate complex technical concepts clearly to diverse audiences, including Directors, PIs, project managers, and leadership.
• Ensure systemsengineering practices comply with mission assurance standards relevant to both precision groundbased instruments and spaceflight hardware.
• Support readiness reviews including PDR, CDR, and design maturity assessments.

This job posting
reflects the general nature and level of work expected of the selected
candidate(s). It is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all duties and
responsibilities. The institution reserves the right to amend or update this
description as organizational priorities and institutional needs evolve.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Systems/Industrial Engineering or equivalent advanced learning attained through professional level experience required.
• Minimum of 8 years of relevant work experience, or equivalent combination of education and work experience.

Preferred Qualifications

• Strong background in Finite Element Analysis.

FLSA
Exempt

Full Time/Part Time
Full Time

Number of Hours Worked per Week
40

Job FTE
1.0

Work Calendar
Fiscal

Job Category
Research

Benefits Eligible
Yes - Full Benefits

Rate of Pay
$99,901-$129,871

Compensation Type
salary at 1.0 full-time equivalency (FTE)

Grade
12

Compensation Guidance
The Rate of Pay Field represents the University of Arizona's good faith and reasonable estimate of the range of possible compensation at the time of posting. The University considers several factors when extending an offer, including but not limited to, the role and associated responsibilities, a candidate's work experience, education/training, key skills, and internal equity.


The Grade Range represent a full range of career compensation growth over time. The university offers compensation growth opportunities within its career architecture. To learn more about compensation, please review our Applicant Compensation Guide and our Total Rewards Calculator.

Career Stream and Level
PC4

Job Family
Research Engineering

Job Function
Research

Type of criminal background check required:
Name-based criminal background check (non-security sensitive)

Number of Vacancies
1

Target Hire Date
3/23/2026

Expected End Date

Contact Information for Candidates
Manny Montoya

View email address on click.appcast.io

Open Date
2/27/2026

Open Until Filled
Yes

Documents Needed to Apply
Resume and Cover Letter

Special Instructions to Applicant

Notice of Availability of the Annual Security and Fire Safety Report
In compliance with the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act (Clery Act), each year the University of Arizona releases an Annual Security Report (ASR) for each of the University's campuses.Thesereports disclose information including Clery crime statistics for the previous three calendar years and policies, procedures, and programs the University uses to keep students and employees safe, including how to report crimes or other emergencies and resources for crime victims. As a campus with residential housing facilities, the Main Campus ASR also includes a combined Annual Fire Safety report with information on fire statistics and fire safety systems, policies, and procedures.
Paper copies of the Reports can be obtained by contacting the University Compliance Office at View email address on click.appcast.io.