The University of Arizona Looking for Research Laboratory Manager II – RFCML Full Time

Posting Number: req14467

Department: Steward Observatory

Location: Main Campus

Address: Tucson, AZ USA

Position Highlights

The department of Steward Observatory seeks to fill a full time position of a Research Laboratory Manager II (Production Manager).

The selected candidate will partner with an optical engineer to manage a 15-person team conducting mirror production activities 24 hours a day/7 days a week for $20M mirrors that are 28 feet in diameter and weigh 18 tons. An expert in large telescope mirror generating (machining), grinding, and polishing activities, manages a team that operates two different computer-controlled machines that generate, grind and polish mirrors, move them using a custom air cart powered by high pressure air, and set up and conduct mirror surface figure and other dimensional measurements. Responsible for providing guidance to team members, facilitating communication across shifts and with scientists and engineers, coordinating for engineering support when machines malfunction/fail, and procuring materials consumed during production. Ensures production personnel are qualified to operate equipment and conduct operations safely.

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

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Duties & Responsibilities

* Along with lab manager, polishing scientist, and optical engineers, collaboratively plans 1- to 4-week generating, grinding or polishing cycles on the computer-controlled Large Polishing Machine (LPM) and Large Optical Generator (LOG).  Ensures personnel are scheduled to run the cycles, the tools are configured properly, and consumable materials are available. Provides the polishing scientist or responsible optical engineer a quality control check to ensure the run designs address the surface figure errors without causing unintended second – and third-order effects.

* Oversees execution of the machining, grinding and polishing cycles.  Communicates directly with each of three shifts working during the week, and indirectly with two other shifts, so team members understand what to do each shift and tasks are performed uniformly during each shift.  Aids in troubleshooting issues on the LPM, LOG, air cart, and metrology systems.  Coordinates with engineers when system malfunctions require hardware or software fixes.  Coordinates with glass repair experts when unacceptable flaws are discovered.  Ensures that operations are conducted safely, effectively, and consistently across the shifts.  Directs crews in detailed glass inspection.  Keeps upper management informed of operations.

* Drafts and evaluates written procedures and using department quality control practices, updates them when lessons learned, product changes, or process improvements dictate their change.  Serves as an expert operator and trainer is all aspects of running the LPM, LOG, air cart, and metrology systems that can be assigned to team members.  Ensures team members are adequately trained to perform their assigned tasks, providing training where necessary.

* Conducts planning for long-term production efforts.  Forecasts manpower, tools, consumables (coolant/lubricant, diamond grinding pads, diamond generating pellets, RTV adhesives, grit, polishing compound, polishing pads, tape, skirting material, etc.), and LPM/LOG/air cart spare parts required at the outset of each effort to enable the laboratory/project manager charges the customer accordingly. 

* Directly supervises, trains, and mentors eight personnel across three shifts (24 hours a day, 4 days a week), and coordinates with the associate manager to supervise six personnel across two shifts (24 hours a day, 3 days/week).  Distills guidance from University Administration into clear communications that apply to production team members who are paid solely via sponsored projects.  Alters schedules to enable production in light of vacations, sick time and other types of leave.  Chairs selection committees hiring new personnel as required.

Additional duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree and 5 years of experience, including 2 years managerial experience OR Associate’s degree and 7 years of experience, including 2 years managerial experience or equivalent combination of education and work experience.

FLSA: Exempt

Full Time/Part Time: Full Time

Number of Hours Worked per Week: 40

Job FTE: 1.00

Work Calendar: Fiscal

Job Category: Research

Benefits Eligible: Yes – Full Benefits

Rate of Pay: DOE

Compensation Type: salary at 1.0 full-time equivalency (FTE)

Grade

9

Career Stream and Level

M2

Job Family

Research & Lab

Job Function

Research

Type of criminal background check required: Name-based criminal background check (non-security sensitive)

Number of Vacancies: 1

Contact Information for Candidates

[email protected]

[email protected]

Open Until Filled: Yes

Documents Needed to Apply: Resume, Cover Letter, and One Additional Document

Special Instructions to Applicant

In addition to a cover letter and resume, please provide a letter of interest.

Diversity Statement

At the University of Arizona, we value our inclusive climate because we know that diversity in experiences and perspectives is vital to advancing innovation, critical thinking, solving complex problems, and creating an inclusive academic community. As a Hispanic-serving institution, we translate these values into action by seeking individuals who have experience and expertise working with diverse students, colleagues, and constituencies. Because we seek a workforce with a wide range of perspectives and experiences, we provide equal employment opportunities to applicants and employees without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or genetic information. As an Employer of National Service, we also welcome alumni of AmeriCorps, Peace Corps, and other national service programs and others who will help us advance our Inclusive Excellence initiative aimed at creating a university that values student, staff and faculty engagement in addressing issues of diversity and inclusiveness.