Overview

The National Ecological Observatory Network (NEON) is a $430 million dollar observatory project dedicated to understanding how changes in climate, land use and invasive species impact ecology.  For the next three decades NEON will collect a comprehensive range of ecological data on a continental scale across 20 eco-climatic domains representing US ecosystems.  NEON will use cutting edge technology including an airborne observation platform that will capture images of regional landscapes and vegetation; mobile, relocatable, and fixed data collection sites with automated ground sensors to monitor soil and atmosphere; and trained field crews who will observe and sample populations of diverse organisms and collect soil and water data.  A leading edge cyberinfrastructure will calibrate, store and publish this information.  The Observatory will grow to 300+ personnel and will be the first of its kind designed to detect and enable forecasting of ecological change at continental scales.

 Term:

This position is a term position for approximately five years during the construction period of the Observatory Project.  

Summary:

Reporting to the Director of Engineering, the Engineering Field Deployment Manager is responsible for managing several Field Deployment Teams that coordinate the deployment, checkout, test and commissioning of all instrumentation at all of the domain locations in the NEON Observatory.  The Engineering Field Deployment Manager is also responsible for assuring all deployment related contracts, instruments and personnel are shovel ready to efficiently support domain operations.

 Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Remotely and onsite, manage and coordinate the Field Deployment Team Leads and their personnel, who are responsible for deploying instrumentation at all of the NEON FIU and Aquatic domain locations
• Manage budgets, schedules, resources and personnel for all deployment related activities
• Develop and document field deployment plans for all necessary deployment activities, to ensure efficient deployment of equipment to domain locations
• Select and oversee contractors and vendors assigned to provide equipment, repair and services; assure contractors maintain project schedules, contract terms and budgeted costs to determine materials planning and ordering
• Oversee the development, control, maintenance and change process of all related documentation and databases
• Oversee quality and product assurance pre and post deployment to the domain locations
• Mentors and evaluates Field Deployment Team Leads and their personnel
• Coordinates with other product teams and departments to assure work meets company requirements and standards of quality
• test, troubleshoot and operate instrumentation, calibration equipment and test fixtures

Education:

• Bachelors or Masters degree

Required Experience:

• 8 years or more experience in  operations with an emphasis on field deployment
• Strong understanding of equipment calibration and maintenance techniques
• Experience working with ERP materials planning and management
• Experience managing line operations, resource and personnel
• Ability to select and manage vendors and suppliers of deployment equipment, materials and repair services
• 5 or more years direct supervisory experience of 5-15 personnel

Preferred Experience:

• Experience deploying instrumentation at remote field locations
• Background in quality assurance, document control, and configuration management
• Experience with mechanical, electrical, software, IT, requirement documentation
• Experience working with electrical, mechanical, chemical, gas handling, network, RF communication and power systems
• Experience working in a repair center or customer service center 
• Experience with medium to low volume assembly manufacturing
• Experience coordinating and managing outsourced product manufacturing

Skills and Abilities:

• Highly organized with the ability to multitask.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills.
• Excellent interpersonal skills with the ability to negotiate with and direct others.
• Able to travel 25% of the time.

Physical Abilities:

• Work environment involves slight physical risks requiring basic safety precautions
  • Able to lift at least 40 pounds. 
  • Able to work outdoors in all types of weather, environmental conditions and remote locations.
  • Able to climb tall towers and work at elevations.

NEON Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Women, Minorities, Veterans and Disabled Persons are encouraged to apply.