Job Summary

SPHEREx is a new infrared survey satellite, recently selected by NASA as a medium-class explorer satellite for launch in 2023. By spectrally mapping the full sky, SPHEREx opens new investigations of the inflationary universe, history of galaxy formation, and abundance and evolution of interstellar ices. The selected candidate will lead the cryo-optical testing of the SPHEREx telescope and Hawaii-2RG detector focal plane assemblies. 

Job Duties

• Develop and execute SPHEREx component and system-level tests, including optical alignment, spectral response, detector noise, flat field, persistence, cryogenic thermal cycle, and vibration
• Design and procure laboratory calibration equipment including infrared collimators, monochromators, and cryogenic vacuum chambers to support these tests
• Develop specialized control software to interface laboratory equipment with data acquisition systems and automate measurements
• Document test results of flight hardware

Basic Qualifications

• Undergraduate degree in engineering, physics or astronomy, with a minimum of 5 years of experience
• A track record of successfully designing, building and testing cryogenic infrared instrumentation, as indicated

Preferred Qualifications

• Graduate degree in engineering, physics or astronomy
• US citizenship or permanent resident to facilitate access to NASA and aerospace facilities
• Familiarity with instrument design software such as Zemax, Solidworks, Matlab, IDL, Python, etc. 
• Previous experience with flight hardware

Required Documents

• Resume
• CV
• Cover Letter
• 3 Letters of Recommendation