Submillimeter Array (SMA) Director (Supervisory General Engineer)

Supervisory: Provides advice, and instructions to employees on both work and administrative matters. Periodically reviews job descriptions of subordinates to maintain currency and accuracy. Reviews organizational posture of the division and makes recommendations to higher-level supervisors for improvements in organizational features, structuring of positions, and work methods, to achieve maximum efficiency and utilization of resources. Interviews candidates for positions within the department and makes the recommendation of final selection for hire; recommends promotions and reassignments. Evaluates performance of subordinates, establishing and negotiating employee performance standards. Hears employee complaints and takes appropriate action to resolve, including working with the HR Partner. Refers group grievances and more serious complaints that are not immediately resolved locally. Effects, in partnership with HR, minor disciplinary measures, such as warnings and reprimands. Recommends action to higher-level supervisors in more serious cases. Identifies employees' career development and training needs. Promotes and assures compliance with SAO EEO program policies and directives. Directs a major engineering program, overseeing subordinate supervisors, engineers, and technical staff across multiple disciplines. Establishes strategic goals and priorities for engineering programs, aligning with SAO mission, budget, and policy objectives. Manages multimillion-dollar budgets and contracts, ensuring cost-effective use of resources and compliance with federal acquisition regulations. Provides authoritative technical guidance on engineering feasibility, risk management, and integration of complex systems. Develops and enforces engineering policies and standards, often setting precedent for SAO-wide adoption. Represents the SAO at national and international forums, negotiating technical agreements and presenting engineering strategies. Oversees workforce development, mentoring subordinate supervisors and shaping long-term engineering career paths. Ensures compliance with safety, environmental, and regulatory requirements, balancing mission needs with public accountability. Resolves high-stakes disputes among contractors, stakeholders, or partners, often requiring persuasive negotiation and technical authority. Operations and Workforce Management: Directs daily SMA operations and supervises engineers, technicians, administrative and IT staff, and subcontractors. Leads recruitment, training, performance management, staff development, and conflict resolution while ensuring operational efficiency and effective execution of observatory functions. Financial and Program Oversight: Develops and justifies the annual SMA budget. Manages financial execution, monitors expenditures, applies fiscal controls, and ensures alignment with program goals, operational priorities, and institutional requirements. Technical and Engineering Leadership: Provides direction for the installation, integration, testing, maintenance, and long-term planning of SMA instrumentation, receivers, electronics, and facility systems. Identifies technical challenges and collaborates with SAO leadership and SMA staff to implement solutions and support scientific mission readiness. Partnerships, Collaboration, and Site Stewardship: Maintains relationships with partner institutions, funding organizations, and Maunakea observatories. Supports collaboration with existing and new institutional partners as they emerge. Pursues external partnerships that advance the observatory's scientific, technical, and operational goals. Serves as liaison to MKSOA and ensures compliance with cultural, environmental, safety, and security requirements, promoting respectful and responsible site operations. Strategic Communication and Scientific Engagement: Ensures transparent communication and aligns operations with strategic priorities. Provides regular reports to SAO and CfA leadership. Maintains a leadership role in millimeter and submillimeter instrumentation, contributes to scientific publications, and represents the SMA at professional meetings. Performs other duties as assigned.

Qualification requirements must be met within 30 days of the job opportunity announcement closing date. For information on qualification requirements, https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/

All applicants must meet these Basic Requirements: Basic Requirements for Engineer (You must submit a copy of your transcripts) Individual Occupational Requirements Basic Requirements: A. Degree: Engineering. To be acceptable, the program must: (1) lead to a bachelor's degree in a school of engineering with at least one program accredited by ABET; or (2)include differential and integral calculus and courses (more advanced than first-year physics and chemistry) in five of the following seven areas of engineering science or physics: (a) statics, dynamics; (b) strength of materials (stress-strain relationships); (c) fluid mechanics, hydraulics; (d) thermodynamics; (e) electrical fields and circuits; (f) nature and properties of materials (relating particle and aggregate structure to properties); and (g) any other comparable area of fundamental engineering science or physics, such as optics, heat transfer, soil mechanics, or electronics. OR B. Combination of education and experience -- college-level education, training, and/or technical experience that furnished (1) a thorough knowledge of the physical and mathematical sciences underlying engineering, and (2) a good understanding, both theoretical and practical, of the engineering sciences and techniques and their applications to one of the branches of engineering. The adequacy of such background must be demonstrated by one of the following: Professional registration or licensure -- Current registration as an Engineer Intern (EI), Engineer in Training (EIT)1, or licensure as a Professional Engineer (PE) by any State, the District of Columbia, Guam, or Puerto Rico. Absent other means of qualifying under this standard, those applicants who achieved such registration by means other than written test (e.g., State grandfather or eminence provisions) are eligible only for positions that are within or closely related to the specialty field of their registration. For example, an applicant who attains registration through a State Board's eminence provision as a manufacturing engineer typically would be rated eligible only for manufacturing engineering positions. Written Test -- Evidence of having successfully passed the Fundamentals of Engineering (FE)2 examination or any other written test required for professional registration by an engineering licensure board in the various States, the District of Columbia, Guam, and Puerto Rico. 1. For more information about EI and EIT registration requirements, please visit the National Society of Professional Engineers website at: http://www.nspe.org. 2. The FE examination is not administered by the U. S. Office of Personnel Management. For more information, please visit: http://www.nspe.org/Licensure/HowtoGetLicensed/index.html Specified academic courses -- Successful completion of at least 60 semester hours of courses in the physical, mathematical, and engineering sciences and that included the courses specified in the basic requirements under paragraph A. The courses must be fully acceptable toward meeting the requirements of an engineering program as described in paragraph A. Related curriculum -- Successful completion of a curriculum leading to a bachelor's degree in an appropriate scientific field, e.g., engineering technology, physics, chemistry, architecture, computer science, mathematics, hydrology, or geology, may be accepted in lieu of a bachelor's degree in engineering, provided the applicant has had at least 1 year of professional engineering experience acquired under professional engineering supervision and guidance. Ordinarily there should be either an established plan of intensive training to develop professional engineering competence, or several years of prior professional engineering-type experience, e.g., in interdisciplinary positions. (The above examples of related curricula are not all inclusive.) Note: An applicant who meets the basic requirements as specified in A or B above, except as noted under B.1., may qualify for positions in any branch of engineering unless selective factors indicate otherwise. Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religious; spiritual; community, student, social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience. Part-time and/or unpaid experience related to this position will be considered to determine the total number of years and months of experience. Be sure to note the number of paid or unpaid hours worked each week.

Your application will be evaluated first for the qualifications described above. The applications that meet the basic qualifications will be evaluated further against the following criteria: Expert knowledge of radio telescope systems, millimeter/submillimeter instrumentation, and associated engineering principles (electrical, electronic, and mechanical). Expert knowledge of SAO's mission, policies, and regulatory frameworks to integrate engineering solutions with strategic objectives. Mastery of advanced engineering concepts and management principles. Applies broad technical and managerial expertise to direct complex, precedent-setting programs. Mastery of engineering methodologies applied to design, fabrication, installation, operation, and maintenance of complex telescope systems. Advanced knowledge of project and program management methodologies, including scheduling, budgeting, and workflow control. Superior organizational and leadership skills, including personnel management, delegation, and conflict resolution. Exceptional knowledge of safety, environmental, security, and cultural compliance requirements for high-altitude observatory operations. Mastery or ability to master Smithsonian financial processes, budget formulation, and cost-effectiveness practices. Exceptional communication skills in written, oral, and virtual formats; ability to interpret and present technical information to varied audiences. Ability to interpret and apply modern technologies, research findings, and industry standards to national or international programs. Applicants who meet or exceed minimum qualifications will be assigned to one of three category groups based on job-related criteria: Best Category - Meets the minimum qualification requirements and excels in most of the job related competencies above. Better Category - Meets the minimum qualification requirements and satisfies most of the job related competencies above. Good Category - Meets the minimum qualification requirements, but does not satisfy most of the job related competencies above to a substantive degree. This category rating process does not add veterans' preference points or apply the "rule of three", but protects the rights of veterans by placing them ahead of non-preference eligibles within each category. A selecting official may make selections from the highest quality category (Best Category) provided no preference eligible in that category is passed over to select a non-preference eligible in that category unless the requirements of 5 U.S.C. 3317(b) or 3318(b) are satisfied. Preference eligibles who meet minimum qualification requirements and who have a compensable service-connected disability of at least 10 percent must be listed in the highest quality category, except when the position being filled is scientific or professional at the GS-9 grade level or higher. Applicants who have not submitted a resume in the USAjobs system and/or have not answered all of the vacancy questions will not be considered for this position. Important Note: Your resume and supporting documentation will be compared to your responses to the occupational questionnaire or other assessment tool for consistency. If a determination is made that you have rated yourself higher than is supported by your resume, you will be assigned a rating commensurate to your described experience. You may preview questions for this vacancy.

The incumbent must work at high altitude on a regular basis and will be involved in long periods of standing, walking, climbing, bending, stooping and lifting when doing site related work relating to SMA construction and operation. The incumbent will regularly be required to work under conditions of high altitude and exposure to extreme weather conditions. He or she will also encounter the hazards associated with work on large construction projects. The incumbent is required to file a Confidential Statement of Employment and Financial Interests (Sl Form 1085). FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE STATEMENT: The incumbent is required to submit a Financial Disclosure Statement, OGE-450, (5CFR Part 2634, Subpart I USOGE, 6/08). Executive Branch Personnel Confidential Financial Disclosure Report upon entering the position and annually. A high altitude physical examination is a condition of employment. Ability to work at such high altitudes is a requirement. The Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory is an equal opportunity employer committed to diversity in our workplace. A recruitment may be paid. The Smithsonian does not pay relocation expenses.

How to Apply: Click on the "Apply Online" button on the upper right side of the page. Please Note: You must apply for this position online through the 'Apply Online' button and submit required supplemental documents (if they are relevant to you). You may submit required documents by uploading them online during the application process; OR You may manually fax required documents. Faxes are received by an automated system, not a physical fax machine. Documents that are faxed as part of the application process must be sent with the system generated cover sheet by the closing date. Documents faxed without the system generated coversheet are not retrievable and cannot be considered as part of the application package. The complete application package, including any required documents, is due in the Smithsonian Office of Human Resources on the closing date of the announcement by 11:59 PM Eastern Time. If you are unable to apply online, paper applications may be accepted with prior approval of the Contact Person listed below.

Your application package should include the following documents: Detailed Resume Proof of Veteran's Preference - DD214 (Member 4 Copy), if you are a veteran. Additionally, applicants claiming 10-point preference must complete Standard Form (SF) 15, Application for 10-Point Veteran Preference, as well as additional documentation required by the SF-15, such as a VA letter. Unofficial school transcripts, if the position has an education requirement or if you are using education to qualify. If selected for the position, you must provide an official transcript before appointment. Proof of U.S. accreditation for foreign study, if applicable.