Infrastructure Technician

Application Deadline:26 June 2026

Department:Summit Operations

Employment Type:Full Time

Location:Maunakea Summit

Compensation:$30.85 - $36.54 / hour

Description

Start your career with W. M. Keck Observatory today as an Infrastructure Technician!
Do you have experience working in an industrial environment? Are you looking to further your understanding of plant infrastructure systems? Are you an ardent proponent of infrastructure fabrication, maintenance and operational readiness? Then don't wait any longer. Apply now to see how you can start the climb to the summit of your career!

Why Choose W. M. Keck Observatory:

• Competitive starting annual compensation ranging from $64,160 to $76,000.
• Generous benefits package, including 4 weeks of annual paid vacation.
• Robust 403(b) retirement plan featuring an 8% employer contribution with a 4% mandatory employee contribution.
• Tuition assistance for dependent children grades K-12 attending private school on Hawai'i Island.
• Comprehensive employer-provided health insurance, with a variety of coverage options available to employees.
• Opportunity to be part of a dedicated team advancing the frontiers of astronomy.

How to Operate as an Infrastructure Technician

Working on the summit of Maunakea, the Infrastructure Technician begins a career of learning about a slew of technical aspects and safety, while operating machinery and tools, to help ensure that the summit physical plant is ready to operate safely on sky every night. The principal activities of this role encompass fabrication, installation, maintenance and repair of summit infrastructure. As such, the Infrastructure Technician would work on the machinery, equipment and structures that make up the Physical Plant, Telescope Structure, Dome and Shutter, and other systems with machinery and large structural elements, while executing the preventative maintenance program for the summit infrastructure. Consistently working at high altitude, the Infrastructure Technician will work in adverse weather conditions and low oxygen environments. To ensure the highest quality of work and functionality of the telescopes, the Infrastructure Technician will work closely with colleagues in a collaborative and respectful environment.

Required Qualifications

• Associate's degree in a technical field or equivalent work experience.
• Ten (10) years of overall work experience performing fabrication, installation, maintenance and repair of machinery and mechanical systems in an industrial environment at journeyman (i.e., licensed or certified) level, or equivalent.
• Five (5) years' related work experience in an industrial environment and a proven capability for installation, maintenance, and troubleshooting in at least one of the following areas: electrical systems, mechanical systems, refrigeration, plumbing, hydraulics.
• Basic computer skills with office productivity software for e-mail, word processing and spreadsheets.
• Ability to coordinate multiple tasks concurrently in a fast-paced dynamic environment.
• Knowledge of mechanics, machining, pneumatics, and hydraulics.
• Working knowledge of shop fabrication practices (e.g. milling, turning, welding, cutting, forming, grinding, assembly).
• Ability to operate common maintenance shop hand and machine tools.
• Valid driver's license and clean abstract.