The Senior Civil Engineer for ngGONG plays a critical role in shaping the future of ground-based solar observations. This position supports the National Solar Observatory’s Next-Generation Global Observing Network Group (ngGONG), a major international initiative currently in the design phase. ngGONG will modernize NSO’s global network of solar observatories, enabling continuous, high-quality observations that advance solar physics research and improve our understanding of space weather.
Requirements
- Define SBF: Lead the definition, documentation, and maintenance of civil and architectural design requirements for site development, buildings/foundations, and Fit-out (SBF) at all ngGONG sites.
- Develop, evaluate, and down-select site and facility concepts through structured trade studies that balance performance, risk, cost, constructability, schedule, and code compliance across diverse international locations.
- Prepare and maintain the technical content for the SBF Design Requirements Document (DRD), reference standards package, baseline “reference design” concepts, and other internal design artifacts to be used in A&E procurement and subsequent design reviews.
- Serve as the primary technical and day‐to‐day administrative owner of the A&E contract for SBF, including developing scopes of work, participating in procurement, reviewing drawings/models/specifications/estimates, managing design iterations, and verifying alignment with ngGONG standards and NSF/federal requirements.
- Ensure that all site and building designs correctly implement applicable codes, standards, and regulations, and escalate issues, variances, and key decisions to project leadership as needed.
- Lead identification, mapping, and tracking of all permitting, approvals, and inspections for each site, and coordinate timely preparation and submission of permit and approval packages with the A&E firm and NSO/AURA administrative teams.
- Manage and review supporting investigations and inputs for SBF, including surveys, geotechnical studies, environmental reviews, and site-specific constraints, and ensure that these are appropriately incorporated into concepts, requirements, and A&E deliverables.
Benefits
- Paid time off
- Retirement plan contributions