req4720

School of Plant Sciences-Res

https://cals.arizona.edu/spls/home

County Extensions and Farms

37860 W Smith Enke Rd, Maricopa Agricultural Center, Maricopa, AZ 85138 USA

The field scanner engineer operates and maintains the semi-automated crop scanning system at the Maricopa Agricultural Center. Currently, the field scanner engineer is a key component and primary team member of the OPEN project, funded by the U.S. Department of Energy ARPA-E program. As the current project evolves, the field scanner engineer will continue to act as lead, on-site engineer to ensure the operation, maintenance, and performance of the field scanner and supporting systems. Additionally, the incumbent will be expected to participate in weekly meetings and ad-hoc discussions across a diverse, interdisciplinary team to make sure that project goals and objectives are met in a timely manner and that planned field experiments are executed with minimal scanner downtime. Additionally, this position allows for both professional and educational growth possibilities, and educational benefits, including tuition reduction and educational assistance programs, respectively, towards the pursuit of advanced degrees.
This is an Extended Temporary Employment (ETE) position.
Working closely with the University of Arizona Principal Investigator and other project team members, the field scanner engineer schedules and conducts scanning operations needed to achieve scientific goals determined by project stakeholders. Scanning operations are implemented during day and night hours, and most months of the year. Required duties are generally performed independently, excluding initial assignments and reviews of work. The role is non-supervisory to the extent of providing strategic direction to hourly assistants. The field scanner engineer also ensures that sensor, data flow, or electromechanical hardware system failures are identified in real time, and that corrective actions are identified and taken, in conjunction with the project team and through consultation with component vendors.

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!

The University of Arizona has been recognized for our innovative work-life programs. For more information about working at the University of Arizona and relocations services, please click here http://talent.arizona.edu/

The field scanner is the world’slargest agricultural robot designed for plant phenotyping; the infrastructurecovers an area over two acres. The scanner carries an array of precisionsensors and cameras, including hyperspectral, thermal, and RGB, for gatheringhigh resolution data on experimental plants grown underneath it. To get abetter understanding, please watch this video created by the Wall Street Journal: https://tinyurl.com/4jfzvwe9.

DUTIESAND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Operation of the robotic multi-instrument field crop scanner during scheduled uptime in support of continuous operation
• Performance of routine safety checks and system maintenance
• Develop solutions to problems relating to electromechanical, sensing and imaging, and data collection systems by applying knowledge of engineering technology
• Develop, upkeep, and ensure availability of documentation including:
  
  • Protocols and SOPs associated with scanning operations and preventative maintenance
  • Detailed scan records
  • Stakeholder-focused reports
• Coordinate, troubleshoot, and repair of computing and networking systems involving programmable logic controller (PLC) and multiple computer control systems
• Coordinate troubleshooting and repair of electrical systems involving 3-phase AC and low-voltage DC subsystems
• Writes specifications for purchase of new equipment and advises on external solutions
• Coordinate troubleshooting and repair of mechanical systems involving motors, gearboxes, hoists, and variable frequency drives
• Requisition components and supplies of engineering projects, interacting with vendors to obtain price and product information
• Programming and execution of routines for custom field scans to test team hypotheses and meet research objectives
• Develop plans for installation, evaluation, and documentation of new computers, operating systems, and applications software
• Collaboration with scientists to coordinate activities that support quality data outputs, such as deploying reference targets
• Coordinates engineering calculations by calculator or computer to solve routine engineering problems
• Participate in weekly and bi-weekly project teleconferences as well as ad hoc meetings, as needed
• Initiate and update tickets with system and instrument vendors as needed
• Working closely with other project team members, implement safety training and protocols specific to gantry and sensor functions, such as laser sensor training events
• Provide around-the-clock support to maintain system effectiveness
• Read and interpret engineering drawings for use in research applications
• Operate and maintain the lightning alert system
• Develop and implement plan for mitigating subsidence of gantry structural components
• Additional duties may apply

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS,AND ABILITIES:

• Knowledge of computer software/hardware technology, including an understanding of integrated systems with imaging technologies interfacing with mechanical, digital and signal processing hardware
• Knowledge of engineering principles, including an understanding of power and machinery, structures, electrification, and application of engineering technology
• Knowledge (theoretical and applied) of methods, practices, and principles of mechanical and electrical systems and equipment, including 3-phase power
• Knowledge (theoretical and applied) of methods, practices, and principles of remote sensing systems
• Ability to work in multidisciplinary, cross-functional team
• Ability to prioritize and execute tasks within a highly collaborative environment
• Ability to resolve critical and single-point failures
• Ability to manage operating systems and application development languages used in a real-time control system, such as C#, Python, or MATLAB
• Ability to thrive in early stage technology development with demanding schedules and deliverables
• Ability to maintain communications with multiple actors using varied means of communication such as email, phone, SMS text message, and other methods
• Ability to create and interpret technical documentation
• Ability to analyze operation methods to ensure scientific goals are reached
• Ability to climb a ladder to a height of 50 feet
• Frequently lifts and move/transport up to 50 pounds
• Capable of performing work in a field setting where temperatures can be hot
• Work around heavy equipment

Bachelor'sdegree in Engineering or related field.

Up to 1 year of relevant work experience may be required.

Exempt

Full Time

40

1.0

Fiscal

Agriculture and Extension

Yes - Full Benefits

DOE

salary at 1.0 full-time equivalency (FTE)

9

PC1

Research Engineering

Research

Name-based criminal background check (non-security sensitive)

1

4/5/2021

4/17/2022

For additional information, please contact Dr. Duke Pauli at dukepauli@email.arizona.edu.

3/23/2021

Yes

Resume and Cover Letter

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 an Hispanic-serving institution and a Native American/Alaska Native-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.