General Engineer; Systems Engineer

Job Details

OPENING DATE: December 18, 2026
CLOSING DATE: January 19, 2026
SERIES/GRADE: IS
-0801-14
TYPE OF POSITION: Trust Indefinite (Non-Federal)
DIVISION: Central Engineering
LOCATION: Cambridge, MA
AREA OF CONSIDERATION: This position is open to all qualified candidates eligible to work in the United States
This position requires access to export-controlled work. The candidate must be a U.S. person (citizen, permanent resident, or national of a country eligible for approval under an export license).

What are Trust Fund Positions?

Trust Fund positions are unique to the Smithsonian. They are paid for from a variety of sources, including the Smithsonian endowment, revenue from our business activities, donations, grants and contracts. Trust employees are not part of the civil service, nor does trust fund employment lead to Federal status. The salary ranges for trust positions are generally the same as for federal positions and in many cases trust and federal employees work side by side.

Trust employees have their own benefit program, which may include Health, Dental & Vision Insurance, Life Insurance, Transit/Commuter Benefits, Accidental Death and Dismemberment Insurance, Annual and Sick Leave, Family Friendly Leave, 403b Retirement Plan, Discounts for Smithsonian Memberships, Museum Stores and Restaurants, Credit Union, Flexible Spending Account (Health & Dependent Care).

Provide expert systems engineering support and mentoring of early/mid- career level engineers for the development of advanced instrumentation for space borne and ground based astrophysical and astronomical data collection. This position requires the incumbent to possess the ability to learn quickly, see the big picture, and carry out multiple complex activities simultaneously.

As Systems Engineer, he/she/they will provide technical direction to long‑range development of game‑changing advances in astrophysical instrumentation. The incumbent will work with a diverse team that includes engineers, theoreticians, software/firmware developers, astronomers, and imaging algorithm experts, all united by a common science vision. The Systems Engineer will provide expertise and mentorship regarding technical approach and design methodologies, and ensure the technical integrity of the output.

The incumbent will participate in all phases of the systems development lifecycle, including concept of operations, requirements management, system architecture modeling, system design, risk management, integration, testing, and implementation planning. The Engineer will also support system integration, subsystem deployment, test support, and verification and validation planning.

MAJOR DUTIES

Provides technical direction for the development of highly complex, innovative instrumentation for astrophysical data collection that establishes the state‑of‑the‑art, from technical specification and concept design through formal documentation and project completion in space borne and ground based scientific instrumentation. Works directly with the Project Engineer and Program Manager to ensure that scientific requirements are translated into engineering team direction and appropriate hardware.

Accurately forecasts long‑term requirements for Systems Engineering support to meet the stated project goals and requirements. Is responsible for preparing and coordinating engineering budgets, tasks and schedules related to the Systems Engineering effort; partners with the Manager of Central Engineering and cognizant Lead Engineer(s) in estimating staff requirements.

Provides systems engineering expertise to support the development of highly complex instruments and systems used in the collection of astrophysical data including telescopes, cameras, and other mechanical, optical, electrical, microwave, and signal processing sub‑systems. Provides expert technical consultation to scientists and other engineering staff worldwide in instrument specification, design, analyses, materials, organizational processes, fabrication/assembly methods, and signal processing.

Prepares authoritative engineering input to project proposals, cost estimates, cost…