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Job Summary

LIGO Laboratory (the Laser Interferometer Gravitational-wave Observatory) seeks a highly motivated and skilled Operations Specialist to join its team. This position is an in-person role located at our observatory in Richland, WA.

LIGO Laboratory is a National Science Foundation major facility dedicated to observing the newly discovered gravitational-wave universe. Jointly operated by the California Institute of Technology and Massachusetts Institute of Technology, the LIGO Laboratory operates world-leading observatories near Richland, WA and Baton Rouge, LA as well as R&D centers on the Caltech and MIT campuses. The LIGO Laboratory’s mission spans a broad and vibrant array of activities related to gravitational-wave physics and astronomy, including detector operations, R&D toward detector improvements, gravitational-wave astrophysics, observatory operations, and education and public outreach.

For more information, please visit the Laboratory website at www.ligo.caltech.edu

Essential Job Duties

• Report to the LHO Operations Specialist Team Leader.
• Operate a large-scale gravitational-wave interferometer through monitoring and adjustment of interferometer systems, associated observatory equipment, and facilities to ensure desired performance and data integrity. The work schedule may cover any time during the 24-hour operations and schedules may vary.
• Coordinate and review interferometer activities.
• Assist in assembly, installation, inventory, testing, and commissioning of the Advanced LIGO and Advanced LIGO Plus optics, electromechanical components, electronic controls, or data acquisition and control hardware/software.
• Create, analyze, debug, and edit Python scripts for the automated operation and management of the 4-km interferometer and associated subsystems.
• Carry out maintenance, calibration, and upgrades of instrumentation at the Observatory, including the interferometers, auxiliary detectors, infrastructure, support equipment, and other apparatus as required.
• Participate in characterization of instrumental signatures in interferometer data and assist with the development of operational techniques and analysis methods to discriminate these signatures.
• Occasionally participate in educational activities for public, K-12, university, and private tours including detector science, astrophysical investigations, and basic science concepts.
• Assist in development of new technologies, protocols and methods to support the Observatory’s continuing mission. These efforts may require occasional travel to other LIGO installations and collaborating institutions in Livingston, Louisiana, Pasadena, California, Cambridge, Massachusetts, and possibly internationally.
• Collaborate effectively with coworkers, visiting scientists, engineers, and students, having diverse skill sets and backgrounds to achieve desired task goals.
• Participate in safety training and promote safety by demonstrating commitment to personal responsibility and value for environment, safety, and security.
• Other duties as assigned.

 Basic Qualifications

• BS in physical sciences or engineering or equivalent experience.
• 2 years of experience developing, testing, or operating scientific or other precision instrumentation, or equivalent coursework and laboratory experience.
• Proficiency with standard computing applications (e.g., Word, Excel, and web applications).
• Skilled in high-level programming languages (Python, Bash, etc.) for use with general scripting, state machines, or data visualization.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills.
• Must be able to travel on a rare occasion, via airplane, to other installations and collaborating institutions.
• The successful candidate must be able to work a varied schedule during observing runs; this may include evenings, overnights, weekends, and holidays.
• Reliable transportation to the observatory site.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s degree in physical sciences or engineering or equivalent experience.
• Experience working in a large scientific collaboration.
• Knowledgeable with scientific modeling and analysis applications, such as MATLAB or LabVIEW. Familiarity with the Debian & UNIX operating systems.
• Proficiency with 2D and 3D CAD software (such as AutoCAD and SOLIDWORKS) and reading mechanical drawings.
• Experience with EPICS databases, scripts for automating tasks, and the ability to develop and create GUIs would be an asset.
• Specialized technical experience with lasers, optics, analog or digital electronics, cleanroom protocols, or high vacuum technology.

Required Documents

• Cover Letter summarizing your relevant experience and why you wish to work at LIGO.
• Resume