The main goal of the position was to design, develop and test a UAV-based CMB telescope polarization angle calibration system. This lead, among others, to the following tasks:• Design, implementation, and characterization of a mm-wave (~150 GHz) RF source. The characterization tests required the development of robot-control automated movement algorithms within an anechoic chamber and the use of high-precision RF measurement equipment.• Development and testing of analog, digital and RF electronic systems, which included the use of Raspberry Pi and Arduino platforms. Power and connectivity limitations of commercial drone equipment were considered for the implementation.• System integration within weight and volume constraints using Solidworks and ABS/PLA 3D printing. Thermal expansion modelling and simulations were included in the design.• Operation of RTK GPS systems for the execution of high-precision surveys, using the GEOSolution software for post-processing.• Design and implementation of ad-hoc pose estimation and photogrammetry fiducial marker detection software in Python environment.• Logistics and engineering assistance in the execution of on-site testing campaigns for the UAV-based calibrator system and during CMB telescope data collection at high-altitude geographical environments (5200 meters).

• Ensured the continuous operation of critical equipment for observations: o Ensured the stable operation of the cryogenic cooling system (~90mK) through the execution of purging and pumping procedures, as well as through the operation and maintenance of the two helium compressors and vacuum and gas handling systems.o Performed preemptive and corrective maintenance for two 260KVA generators, for the fuel delivery systems, for a grease pumping system and an air compressor.o Carried out maintenance, troubleshooting and repairs of electronic telescope motion control systems and mechanical interfaces. • Carried out telescope measurement and adjustment procedures:o Aligned the receiver, primary and secondary surfaces through high precision photogrammetry analysis (~µm).o Assisted in the measurement of the spectral response of the detector array through Fourier Transform Spectroscopy. • Carried out the installation, troubleshooting and maintenance of electronic equipment, such as: servomotors, angular encoders, polarizing plate motion controllers, digital processing systems, remote monitor and control interfaces, network systems, weather stations, UPS systems and computer servers. Upgraded hardware and software for Linux and Windows based computer servers.• Executed maintenance, installation and integration procedures for the telescope’s cryostat, pulse tubes and other cryogenic hardware. • Led the adquisition of a new 260KVA generator set, for a total cost of approximately USD 130,000: o Researched suppliers, evaluated and selected candidates, liaised with manufacturers and supervised the purchase, logistics, installation and start-up.

• Member of the core team that developed the first two Peruvian satellites, PUCP-SAT-1 & Pocket-PUCP: -Designed and developed the antenna array for PUCP-SAT-1. -Designed and developed PUCP-SAT-1’s built-in launcher for the Pocket-PUCP femtosatellite and the antenna array deployment mechanism.• Developed the “Scientific Equipment for Radio Science” project, for the Scientific Equipment for Laboratories Grant Contest, hosted by Peruvian government’s Funds for Research in Science and Technology (FINCyT). The project was selected and granted approximately $210,000.• Managed the “Scientific Equipment for Radio Science” project: -Researched, evaluated, selected and purchased $245,000 worth of high-end scientific equipment for the project. Selected equipment included a PXI instrumentation platform with DAQs, FPGAs and radio receivers; LNAs and RF electronics; a GPS time and frequency system; a cesium-standard atomic clock; a computer server; and other devices. -Liaised with manufacturers, handled the overall logistics of the purchases and training courses, installed and started-up most of the equipment and ran periodic inspections and maintenance tasks. -Handled the integration of equipment within the institute’s areas of research. Currently working in the implementation of FPGA based SDR receivers and the positioning systems for radio telescopes.• Member of the mechanical design team for the 20 meter diameter radio telescope (RT-20). -Assisted in the integration of the electronic systems • Member of the restoration and upgrade team of an 8 meter diameter radio telescope (RT-8): -Participated in the disassembly, frame calibration and reassembly of the dish’s main structures.

Tasked with grading essays and oral presentations on topics such as Cosmology, Astrophysics and Space Engineering

• Designed and developed rotary encoders for radio telescopes.• Researched and selected equipment such as photovoltaic systems, measurement and test devices, and RF receivers.• Assisted in the construction of radio telescopes and antennas.