Cryogenics - Technical Manager I

Company: National Radio Astronomy Observatory
Location: Magdalena
Posted on: July 10, 2025

Job Description:

National Radio Astronomy Observatory Title: Cryogenics - Technical Manager I Location: NRAO Very Large Array, 183 VLA RD, Magdalena, New Mexico, United States of America Requisition Number: 40 Job Family: Mgmt & Senior Admin Pay Type: Salary Position Description: Position Summary The National Radio Astronomy Observatory (NRAO) is an exciting and prestigious research facility that plays a vital role in the study of the universe. The Observatory operates a variety of radio telescopes that span the globe, including the famous Very Large Array (VLA) in New Mexico, the Green Bank Telescope in West Virginia, and the Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array (ALMA) in Chile. These telescopes are among the most advanced in the world, allowing astronomers to explore the universe in unprecedented detail. At NRAO, we are recruiting a Technical Manager to lead a group responsible for maintaining, developing, and supporting Cryogenic systems for the Very Large Array (VLA) and Very Long Baseline Array (VLBA). The manager must also be able to supervise, coordinate and prioritize the efforts of four or more electronics technicians or technical specialists performing routine maintenance and repair of cryogenic refrigerators, compressors, and related equipment. The position is based at the VLA, 50 miles west of Socorro, NM. What You Will be Doing The successful candidate will work as a group lead for technical staff located at the VLA supporting maintenance and ongoing developments for both existing telescope systems and future projects. Key responsibilities will include supervising and training the staff that maintains the cryogenic systems for the VLA and VLBA 25-meter antennas. Functional responsibilities for this position include: - Managerial duties including staff prioritization, supervision, evaluation, and recruiting. - Oversees and coordinates the daily maintenance of assigned systems such as compressors, vacuum pumps, supply lines, and cryogenic refrigerators. - Designates staff assignments, establishes work priorities, and evaluates cost and time requirements. Ensures that all safe work practices are followed. - Directs group’s personnel activities, including training, performance management and career development. - Coordinates work projects to repair hardware or make improvements to existing systems. Ensures the efficient use of maintenance and testing time. - Reviews completed tasks and projects to ensure that goals are met and that equipment is compatible with other systems already in use. - Helps develop standard operating procedures, technical proposals, reports, and other technical papers. - Conducts tests and data recording. - Proactive compliance with NRAO and government safety policies and procedures is expected. - Performs other duties as assigned. Work Environment Work is typically performed in a work shop and office environment, but the group lead and their staff frequently work in high places, up to 150 feet, in outside weather conditions. While in these locations the employee must balance, stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl. The employee must be able to negotiate vertical ladders to access service locations on the antenna and is often required to utilize fall arrest equipment. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate. The employee works near moving mechanical parts and is exposed to electrical hazards. These and other situations mean the employee is often responsible to perform lockout/tag out to create a safe work environment. Who You Are: - You have a bachelor’s degree or an equivalent combination of education and experience - You have five years of experience in cryogenic systems or related field. - While not required, you may have seven or more years of experience in cryogenic systems. Previous supervisory experience and/or experience managing work assignments or projects. Competency Summary Requires strong interpersonal skills, especially motivation of the work group, effective listening and speaking skills. The ability to clearly convey technical information to craft workers, developers, engineers and scientists, interact with peers in a positive and respectful way and calmly resolve conflicts are essential management behaviors in this position. Must be able to communicate effectively both verbally and in writing. Must be able to learn and apply safe work practices involved in this type of work. Physical Demands The physical demands and the work environment characteristics described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this position. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to use hands to handle or feel objects, use tools or controls; reach with hands and arms. The employee must frequently lift and move up to 40 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus (corrected vision is OK). Additional Requirement Must possess a valid driver's license. May be required to drive Observatory vehicles. Must pass any applicable knowledge/skills assessments. Safety Sensitive The selected candidate must successfully pass a post-offer, pre-employment/pre-placement drug screen. Failure to pass the screen will disqualify the candidate from employment consideration for a period of six months from the date of the results. Total Rewards: Associated Universities, Inc. (AUI) offers a comprehensive total rewards package for this position, subject to eligibility requirements. We are committed to serving our employees and their families with an extensive and competitive compensation and benefits package that supports our employees’ overall well-being and career growth. Compensation AUI strives to attract and retain dedicated, highly qualified, competent, and motivated employees by offering competitive compensation and recognition for performance. Factors which may affect starting pay within this range may include; education, experience, skills, competencies, other qualifications of the successful candidate, as well as internal equity and labor market conditions. Benefits: AUI’s benefits package addresses the needs of employees and their families with most benefits beginning on the first day of employment. AUI provides excellent paid time off (13 holidays, annual accrual of up to 24 vacation days and 15 sick days, additional time off for doctor/dentist visits, and 8 weeks of paid parental leave). Medical, dental and vision plans are effective on the first day of employment. AUI’s retirement benefit contributes an amount equal to 10 percent of a qualified participant’s base pay with no required employee contribution; we also offer an optional supplemental, tax-deferred plan for employee retirement contributions. Application Instructions: Select the “Apply Now” button. Please be prepared to upload your current CV/Resume and a cover letter describing interest and suitability for the position Equal Opportunity Employer Statement: AUI is an equal opportunity employer. To view our complete statement, please visit https://public.nrao.edu/careers/. If you require reasonable accommodation for any part of the application or hiring process, you may submit your request by sending an email to resumes@nrao.edu.PM20 PI765a3e127f50-37156-37558403

Keywords: National Radio Astronomy Observatory, Santa Fe , Cryogenics - Technical Manager I, Engineering , Magdalena, New Mexico