Mechanical Engineer II
ALMA Observatory
San Pedro de Atacama, Antofagasta Region, Chile
Engineering
Description
The successful candidate will work as member of the multi-disciplinary Array Maintenance Group (AMG) in the ALMA Department of Engineering.
The successful candidate will report to one of the Array Maintenance Group Supervisors in the ALMA department of Engineering.
She/he will be expected to contribute with her/his/their expertise in mechanical engineering and mechanical systems in array elements, cryogenics and transporter maintenance and, after an adequate internal training period, will be able to monitor, diagnose and provide service/repair instructions for antenna and subcomponents. This includes health state monitoring, triggering of preventive and corrective maintenance, tool developments for new diagnoses, and upgrade tasks. Additionally, she/he/they will be expected to assist colleagues from other technical disciplines in her/his/their areas of expertise, actively supporting achieving the high availability top-level goal of the observatory. Activities will involve working with mechanical, hydraulic, air conditioning, cryogenic and vacuum subsystems.
Provides support to the AMG supervisors in the execution of group activities during the assigned shift and in the following areas:
- Support corrective and preventive maintenance requirements with mechanical at the scientific equipment of the ALMA observatory. This includes subsystems of Antennas, Front End receivers cryogenics and vacuum components, Antenna transporters and specialized vehicles, as well as other ancillary equipment and specialized tools used for daily works.
- Performs in-depth diagnoses such as designing and conducting test procedures, coordinating with other groups, reporting on progress and final outcomes, and following up to completion on a timely and reliable basis. It also requires monitoring programs where problems have occurred and of critical systems to provide early intervention of imminent failures and so reduce array downtime.
- Supply and safekeeping of spare parts and modules to support identification of technical specifications and qualified suppliers, designate repair/replacement and test procedures, manage technical documentation and any revisions in compliance with ALMA procedures and cooperate with ALMA maintenance management logging procedures.
- Quality control procedures that include preparing checklists and tracking reliability to measure effectiveness of quality programs and recommending improvements for enhanced performance and reliability.
- Perform tests where appropriate to verify compliance with the ALMA scientific and environmental requirements.
- Identify component lifetime issues and plan responses.
- Safety training in cooperation with the ALMA Safety Office: execute procedures such as Job Safety Analysis and “Tail gate” orientations for work groups, as well as correct use and maintenance of Personal Protective Equipment. Ensure all accidents and near misses are reported following ALMA Safety Office procedures, and that workers’ compensation procedures are followed.
- Assists in coordinating tests and development with the contributing centers and/or other construction and design parties in North America, Europe, and East Asia to solve problems, improve design and address obsolescence matters.
- Conduct testing support of acceptance procedures for new equipment.
- Leads field task forces for accelerated problem solving in the case of urgency.
- Develop and lead the execution of improvement and obsolescence projects in antenna, transporter and special vehicles systems.
- Performs other duties as assigned.
Requirements
Minimum requirements (must have)
· A Bachelor degree in Mechanical Engineering with demonstrable working experience in this specialty.
· Experience in field maintenance of mechanical systems, preventive and corrective.
· Experience within troubleshooting of mechanical systems, operations of mechanical systems, hydraulic equipment and servo systems.
· Must pass any applicable knowledge/skills tests.
· Must possess a valid driver’s license B (Chilean regulation)
Desirable Requirements (an asset if present):
· Experience in manufacturing engineering and tribology for precision mechanics and mechanisms.
· Knowledge of cryo-vacuum systems.
· Experience with technical requirements for procurement.
· Proficiency in Microsoft 365 tools (visio, teams, .xls, .doc)
· Experience using computerized maintenance management system (CMMS)
· Driver’s license A2 or A4
Competencies
· Active team player and supportive towards her/his/their colleagues.
· Self-organized, proactive, flexible and autonomous person.
· Good relationship-building abilities for effective collaboration with colleagues and stakeholders from JAO or executives.
· Self-motivated and invested interest in further develop himself professionally.
LANGUAGE SKILLS
· Fluent in Spanish
· English level A2/B1, an English level above B1 would be an asset.
WORKING CONDITIONS
· Duty Station: The position will be based at the Operations Support Facility (OSF) of ALMA, near San Pedro de Atacama (Region II), working on 8x6 shift basis. Work is typically performed in high altitude conditions (from 2900 to 5000 m) in high, precarious places and in outside weather conditions.
· Physical health compatible with high altitude conditions: must pass a High-Altitude Medical Exam for work at high altitude.
· Work is typically performed in a research or development environment, both indoors and outdoors.
· Must work near moving mechanical parts and/or electrical equipment.
· Must be able to operate a personal computer with standard office software.
· Occasionally required to climb or balance, and stoop, kneeling crouch
Deadline for applications: Monday, May 25th, 12 pm Chile time. Please include your CV in English format.
ALMA Values
An important element in any successful employment relationship is harmony in values between an organization and its people.
The ALMA Values are:
Excellence
Respect and Diversity
Collaboration
Care
Applicants to any ALMA role are asked to reflect on their affinity with these values and advised they may be asked about them if called for an interview.
Este aviso se publica dentro del marco de la Ley N° 21.015, que incentiva la inclusión de personas con discapacidad al mundo laboral.
This notice is published within the framework of Law No. 21.015, which encourages the inclusion of people with disabilities in the world of work.