{"schemaVersion":"jobsearcher.job.v1","id":"d8a1150667d11c847fa34a7a","url":"https://jobsearcher.com/jobs/d8a1150667d11c847fa34a7a","canonicalUrl":"https://jobsearcher.com/jobs/d8a1150667d11c847fa34a7a","title":"Electronics Engineer","description":"Electronics Engineer for Owens Valley Radio ObservatoryCaltech is a world-renowned science and engineering institute that marshals some of the world's brightest minds and most innovative tools to address fundamental scientific questions. We thrive on finding and cultivating talented people who are passionate about what they do. Join us and be a part of the diverse Caltech community.The Owens Valley Radio Observatory (OVRO) is one of the largest and most advanced university-operated radio observatories in the world. Managed by the California Institute of Technology (Caltech), OVRO serves as a premier research hub dedicated to pushing the boundaries of radio astronomy and astrophysics.Job SummaryWe are seeking an electronics engineer for OVRO to develop an instrument for fast radio burst (FRB) detection in the microwave domain. This instrument will utilize existing 3.5-m-diameter antennas that will be repurposed and upgraded to open up a new frequency window for FRB science. The project principal investigators (PIs) and co-PIs are based at Cornell University, the University of Chicago, and Caltech. This position is an opportunity to be part of a diverse team working on leading astronomical instrumentation with prospects of increasing seniority at the observatory.Under the guidance of senior staff, the selected candidate will review the status of the antennas, including the drives, electronics, receivers, software, and infrastructure, and prepare a plan to implement and commission an operating instrument. They will be responsible for executing the plan with the assistance of other staff as necessary. The goal is to repurpose existing antennas along with new specialized hardware to extend the observing range for fast time-domain astronomy.The development will be in close collaboration with other partners who will provide antenna control software and digital acquisition and processing hardware. The selected candidate will report directly to the Site Director as well as being responsive to the goals of the PI. As part of the OVRO staff, they will work with other engineers and technicians and may be called on to contribute to other projects. In the future, the scope of work will transition over to other projects that the observatory will be developing. The position will be conducted in-person and on-site at the OVRO near Big Pine, California.Essential Job DutiesDetailed planning of tasksBuilding up test setups as requiredEvaluating the current state of the instrumentTesting and refurbishing or replacing cryogenic systems for the receiversTesting receiver and ancillary electronics and repairing or replacingTesting drive system interlocks and emergency switchesEvaluating and repairing cooling systems for antenna electronicsSupervising installation of power and fiber to antennasTesting antenna operationOptical pointing of antennaEvaluation, repair, and testing of the RF signal chainVerification of all monitor and controlCreation and maintenance of documentationAstronomical measurements to demonstrate performanceOther duties as assignedBasic QualificationsA four-year degree or higher in Electronics Engineering, Mechatronics, Physics, or a related fieldAt least four years' experience working with electromechanical systemsKnowledge of analog and digital electronic design and debuggingDemonstrated ability to plan and execute complex hardware projectsGood troubleshooting skillsAbility to lead a small teamMust have a valid driver's license at the time of hire and maintain it throughout the course of employment.Pre-employment DMV and background checks requiredPreferred QualificationsFamiliarity with cryogenic systemsRF or microwave experienceRadio astronomy instrumentation and techniquesExperience with drive systemsExperience in developing and running automated testingRequired DocumentsResumeCover Letter","company":"Caltech","rawCompany":"caltech","city":"Big Pine","state":"CA","isRemote":false,"isActive":true,"createdAt":"2026-11-03T13:27:40.353Z","occupations":[{"code":"17-2072.00","title":"Electronics Engineers, Except Computer","slug":"electronics-engineers-except-computer"},{"code":"17-3023.00","title":"Electrical and Electronic Engineering Technologists and Technicians","slug":"electrical-and-electronic-engineering-technologists-and-technicians"},{"code":"17-2199.00","title":"Engineers, All Other","slug":"engineers-all-other"}],"industries":[{"code":"334511","title":"Search, Detection, Navigation, Guidance, Aeronautical, and Nautical System and Instrument Manufacturing","slug":"search-detection-navigation-guidance-aeronautical-and-nautical-system-and-instrument-manufacturing"},{"code":"541715","title":"Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Nanotechnology and Biotechnology)","slug":"research-and-development-in-the-physical-engineering-and-life-sciences-except-nanotechnology-and-biotechnology"},{"code":"334519","title":"Other Measuring and Controlling Device Manufacturing","slug":"other-measuring-and-controlling-device-manufacturing"}],"jobPosting":{"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"JobPosting","title":"Electronics Engineer","description":"Electronics Engineer for Owens Valley Radio ObservatoryCaltech is a world-renowned science and engineering institute that marshals some of the world's brightest minds and most innovative tools to address fundamental scientific questions. We thrive on finding and cultivating talented people who are passionate about what they do. Join us and be a part of the diverse Caltech community.The Owens Valley Radio Observatory (OVRO) is one of the largest and most advanced university-operated radio observatories in the world. Managed by the California Institute of Technology (Caltech), OVRO serves as a premier research hub dedicated to pushing the boundaries of radio astronomy and astrophysics.Job SummaryWe are seeking an electronics engineer for OVRO to develop an instrument for fast radio burst (FRB) detection in the microwave domain. This instrument will utilize existing 3.5-m-diameter antennas that will be repurposed and upgraded to open up a new frequency window for FRB science. The project principal investigators (PIs) and co-PIs are based at Cornell University, the University of Chicago, and Caltech. This position is an opportunity to be part of a diverse team working on leading astronomical instrumentation with prospects of increasing seniority at the observatory.Under the guidance of senior staff, the selected candidate will review the status of the antennas, including the drives, electronics, receivers, software, and infrastructure, and prepare a plan to implement and commission an operating instrument. They will be responsible for executing the plan with the assistance of other staff as necessary. The goal is to repurpose existing antennas along with new specialized hardware to extend the observing range for fast time-domain astronomy.The development will be in close collaboration with other partners who will provide antenna control software and digital acquisition and processing hardware. The selected candidate will report directly to the Site Director as well as being responsive to the goals of the PI. As part of the OVRO staff, they will work with other engineers and technicians and may be called on to contribute to other projects. In the future, the scope of work will transition over to other projects that the observatory will be developing. The position will be conducted in-person and on-site at the OVRO near Big Pine, California.Essential Job DutiesDetailed planning of tasksBuilding up test setups as requiredEvaluating the current state of the instrumentTesting and refurbishing or replacing cryogenic systems for the receiversTesting receiver and ancillary electronics and repairing or replacingTesting drive system interlocks and emergency switchesEvaluating and repairing cooling systems for antenna electronicsSupervising installation of power and fiber to antennasTesting antenna operationOptical pointing of antennaEvaluation, repair, and testing of the RF signal chainVerification of all monitor and controlCreation and maintenance of documentationAstronomical measurements to demonstrate performanceOther duties as assignedBasic QualificationsA four-year degree or higher in Electronics Engineering, Mechatronics, Physics, or a related fieldAt least four years' experience working with electromechanical systemsKnowledge of analog and digital electronic design and debuggingDemonstrated ability to plan and execute complex hardware projectsGood troubleshooting skillsAbility to lead a small teamMust have a valid driver's license at the time of hire and maintain it throughout the course of employment.Pre-employment DMV and background checks requiredPreferred QualificationsFamiliarity with cryogenic systemsRF or microwave experienceRadio astronomy instrumentation and techniquesExperience with drive systemsExperience in developing and running automated testingRequired DocumentsResumeCover Letter","datePosted":"2026-11-03T13:27:40.353Z","dateModified":"2026-11-03T13:27:40.353Z","hiringOrganization":{"@type":"Organization","name":"Caltech","sameAs":"https://jobsearcher.com"},"jobLocation":{"@type":"Place","address":{"@type":"PostalAddress","addressLocality":"Big Pine","addressRegion":"CA","addressCountry":"US"}},"identifier":{"@type":"PropertyValue","name":"JobSearcher","value":"d8a1150667d11c847fa34a7a"},"url":"https://jobsearcher.com/jobs/d8a1150667d11c847fa34a7a"}}