Master Optician, Steward Observatory (Part Time)

The University of Arizona Steward Observatory seeks an experienced and motivated candidate to join the team in fabricating optical mirrors for the LFAST telescope. The position involves using optical equipment to develop new optical processing methods for manufacturing 0.8-meter-diameter spherical mirrors. Tasks include determining new grinding, polishing, and figuring methods as applied to challenging thin, meniscus-shaped mirror substrates. Each telescope requires 20 mirrors, and the next planned system will consist of 10 telescopes with 200 mirrors.

Outstanding U of A benefits include health, dental, and vision insurance plans; life insurance and disability programs; paid vacation, sick leave, and holidays; U of A/ASU/NAU tuition reduction for the employee and qualified family members; retirement plans; access to U of A recreation and cultural activities; and more!

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Mirror Process Development:

• Place and remove 0.8-meter x 25mm-thick, 27kg, meniscus blanks on 0.9-meter-capacity Strasbaugh overarm grinding/polishing machines multiple times per day.
• Adjust machine parameters such as stroke length, rate, extension, spindle speed, and lap overhang to achieve four spherical mirrors within three months. This work will develop new, innovative ways to fabricate thin mirrors and will rely heavily on a person's prior experience for success.
• During year two, explore the feasibility of developing continuous polishing techniques for producing the next generation of spherical mirrors for LFAST.

Metrology:

• For each mirror, use spherometers to characterize and track the ground surfaces of each blank.
• Record data in an Excel database and generate surface profile plots that illustrate surface changes.
• After flash polishing, use an interferometer to obtain interferometric images for interpreting the surface shape of a mirror.
• Evaluate and interpret the data, and make decisions on corrective adjustments to the Strasbaugh machine settings to achieve spherical surfaces.

Process Documentation:

• For each mirror, maintain accurate electronic records of machine settings, environmental factors, lap and support configurations, and other parameters used to achieve processes that yield concave spherical mirrors with < 50 nm RMS surface quality. This also includes developing safe handling and repair procedures.

Team Lead Duties:

• Assist the supervisor in training new optical fabrication technicians on all processing procedures.
• Help lead daily, weekly, and monthly tasks for lower-level technicians to ensure meeting planned production milestone targets.
• Help support the team to ensure it meets and maintains technician production efficiency, work quality, and safety standards as directed by supervisor.

Mirror Production Lab Duties:

• Work with project principal investigator and project manager to determine and maintain mirror production milestones.
• Present weekly progress reports.
• Ensure routine maintenance is properly done on all Strasbaugh machines.
• Responsible for lab safety and helping with training of other technicians with regard to equipment and chemicals.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Skilled user of large-format, overarm optical polishing machines in the 36" size range for making mirrors or lenses.
• Advanced knowledge of optical shop methods and practices, including glass handling, repair, surface measuring, grinding, polishing, and figuring mirrors to optical tolerances.

This job posting reflects the general nature and level of work expected of the selected candidate(s). It is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all duties and responsibilities. The institution reserves the right to amend or update this description as organizational priorities and institutional needs evolve.

• High school diploma or high school diploma equivalency is required.
• Minimum of 7 years of relevant experience, or equivalent combination of education and work experience.

• Ten years or more of relevant hands-on optical fabrication and testing experience in making precision optics.
• Ten years or more of experience with interferometric optical test setups, equipment, and data collection.
  
• Experienced user of large-format, overarm optical polishing machines in the 36" size range for making mirrors or lenses.