Senior Civil Engineer
About the role
The Senior Civil Engineer for ngGONG plays a critical role in shaping the future of ground-based solar observations. This position supports the National Solar Observatory’s Next-Generation Ground-Based Solar Observing Network (ngGONG), a major international initiative currently in the design phase.
Responsibilities
Define SBF: Lead the definition, documentation, and maintenance of civil and architectural design requirements for site development, buildings/foundations, and Fit-out (SBF) at all ngGONG sites.
Develop, evaluate, and down-select site and facility concepts (for example, container-based buildings, tower and foundation schemes, utility and access layouts) through structured trade studies that balance performance, risk, cost, constructability, schedule, and code compliance across diverse international locations.
Coordinate closely with Systems Engineering, Telescope Assembly, EHS, and science teams to ensure that civil and architectural requirements, interfaces, and layouts support instrument performance, operations, safety, environmental constraints, and future expansion.
Prepare and maintain the technical content for the SBF Design Requirements Document (DRD), reference standards package, baseline “reference design” concepts, and other internal design artifacts to be used in A&E procurement and subsequent design reviews.
Serve as the primary technical and day-to-day administrative owner of the A&E contract for SBF, including developing scopes of work, participating in procurement, reviewing drawings/models/specifications/estimates, managing design iterations, and verifying alignment with ngGONG standards and NSF/federal requirements.
Ensure that all site and building designs correctly implement applicable codes, standards, and regulations (for example, IBC, ASCE 7, NEC/NFPA, local building and zoning codes, environmental and heritage protection requirements), and escalate issues, variances, and key decisions to project leadership as needed.
Lead identification, mapping, and tracking of all permitting, approvals, and inspections for each site (planning, building, environmental, utility, heritage/historic, and related authorities), and coordinate timely preparation and submission of permit and approval packages with the A&E firm and NSO/AURA administrative teams.
Manage and review supporting investigations and inputs for SBF, including surveys, geotechnical studies, environmental reviews, and site-specific constraints, and ensure that these are appropriately incorporated into concepts, requirements, and A&E deliverables.
Occasional international travel to all proposed construction sites for communications and coordination with local authorities and site representatives.
Qualifications
Bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering, Structural Engineer, Mechanical Engineering or a closely related field.
At least 10 years of progressively responsible experience in civil or structural engineering, development, fabrication/integration, and analysis.
Demonstrated experience in civil design for facilities, infrastructure, or research/technical projects, including preparation or review of requirements, concepts, and construction-grade design packages.
Working knowledge of site development, foundations, grading/drainage, and utility systems, including coordination of related surveys, geotechnical, and environmental inputs.
Experience coordinating with multidisciplinary engineering teams and external A&E consultants, including review and critique of drawings, models, specifications, and estimates.
Familiarity with key building and civil codes and standards (for example, IBC, ASCE 7, and applicable local building, zoning, and environmental regulations) and with permitting and approvals processes.
Ability to produce and review engineering drawings and technical documentation, and to communicate requirements and technical decisions clearly in writing and in meetings.
Strong organizational and communication skills, with demonstrated ability to provide clear technical guidance, manage competing priorities, and track scope, schedule, and risk within an assigned work package.
Preferred
Professional Engineer (PE) license.
Experience with observatory, laboratory, or other complex scientific or technical facilities, preferably in remote or environmentally sensitive locations.
Experience working on projects funded by federal agencies (such as NSF or NASA), including familiarity with associated design, documentation, and compliance expectations.
Prior responsibility for leading A&E contracts, serving as CAM, or performing similar technical/managerial oversight of external design providers.
Experience supporting projects through conceptual and preliminary design reviews, including preparation and presentation of civil/architectural content, trade studies, and permitting strategies.