Joseph Huehnerhoff
nd
11 92 Ave SE
Lake Stevens, WA 98258
jwhueh@gmail.com
http://staff.washington.edu/jwhueh/
http://blogs.uw.edu/jwhueh/
425.293.4328
Instrumentation Engineer
 Results-oriented instrument specialist able to design, repair, maintain,
code, troubleshoot, fabricate, and analyze precision instrumentation.
 Experience with optical and mechanical systems from design to manufacture.
 Excellent teamwork skills for increased efficiency and optimal product design.
Instrumentation Specialist
Specializing in instrumentation requires in-depth knowledge of several topics. This required me to have
knowledge of optics, mechanics, and electronics. As an ambitious person, I like to participate in
collaborative efforts to solve cutting edge research problems. This has led me to some very interesting
corners of Astronomy and allowed me to learn from leaders in the field. In my future endeavors I plan to
continue to use my knowledge, hard work ethic, and enthusiasm to advance the field of Astronomy. A
few key points of my personality can be summed as:
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Leadership skills through work as project manager and lead engineer.
Collaborative Style: Enthusiastic and accepting yet critical and questioning when necessary.
Theoretical optical modeling (Zemax) through manufacture of design.
Mechanical design (Solidworks) and simulation (NX Nastran) to manufacture high tolerance,
robust, and maintainable systems.
A showcase of my skills is the new APO 3.5m high-resolution imager, ARCTIC. As Lead Engineer and
Principal Investigator, it was my role to assemble a team that would produce the best final integrated
product. My personal contributions were the optical and mechanical design. Initial engineering started
with theoretical optical design, followed by optical tolerancing to set the opto-mechanical design. The
most complex item was the dewar. It is currently maintaining UHV while still using o-rings with some
metal seals that allow for temperature regulation of +-0.01C. Simulations were performed to determine
flexure, lifetime sustainability, thermal analysis, and failure point analysis. Currently this instrument
performs as designed and significantly better than the requirements. This project is a showcase of my
skills because failure to account for any detail could result significant financial loss. It was the trust and
belief of the management that I would be the ideal, detail-oriented, person for this task.
Lead SDSS Infrastructure Engineer
My promotion to the Lead Infrastructure Engineer of the 2.5m telescope has given me the opportunity
to expand my skill set further into a leadership role. This role required me to have a critical eye towards
failure points and rectify any problems that occur. During my time, the hardware failure rate has been <
0.5%. Even though my engineering group works hard, I also see it as my role to keep them interested
and motived in their job. A key to my success has been to recognize the strengths of those around me
and use them to create a highly efficient / integrated team. Part of this position is also to organize the
telescope hardware effort amongst the collaborators. This has required me to gain a deep appreciation
for organization and scheduling within large consortiums.
Programming languages
Python, C, C++, HTML, Java, LabView, IDL.
Highlights of a few of my programming projects:
 Python and C++ were used to code a new TCC interface and guider suite for the Manastash Ridge
Observatory Telescope. This is an interactive interface that allowed for complex guiding modes
while not overwhelming the users. The software is currently in alpha engineering testing and is
1
Joseph Huehnerhoff
nd
11 92 Ave SE
Lake Stevens, WA 98258
jwhueh@gmail.com
http://staff.washington.edu/jwhueh/
http://blogs.uw.edu/jwhueh/
425.293.4328
expected to go into beta shortly.
 Python was used in many projects, much of which included data reduction and analysis. One
program written was for end of night compilation of statistics. This program compiles data from
different documentation sources specific to that night, as well as user input, into a single
document. The output is then emailed to the appropriate users.
 A more complex program was written to take filter throughput measurements. This program uses
Python and C++ to interface a scanning spectrograph and a camera in TDI mode. The GUI
interface was written in Python and allows for automatic and customizable parameter selection.
The parameters are then synced with the camera and spectrograph to start a drift scan across
the filter spectral range. This project is now being used to create a comprehensive filter
throughput database for over 200 filters.
 Other programs include: LabView, to create two bit remote communications system using lasers
and photodiodes, and Python CGI to create an inventory database for quick component lookup.
Communication Liaison between academic institutions, corporations, and management committees.
While a Harvard University Research Fellow it was my job to not only perform research on a multi band
pass imager (GRIZLI) but also to act as the communications liaison between the PI’s team and the
corporation funding the instrument. Further work included putting together detailed information
regarding systems integration for the PDR. During this time, I addressed several problems regarding
integration and maintenance of this instrument during long-term usage. Examples of some problems
solved include: increased vacuum metrology, correcting for proper cooling distribution, and testing of
mechanical systems.
Machining
Machine skills were learned from University of Washington Physics Instrument Machinists and include
milling and lathe techniques for high precision, as well as use of other common shop equipment.
Typical Uses:
 Critical repair of broken components. A recent example of a critical repair was when a component
for shuffling cartridges to the telescope was broken. If this component had not been remade, it
would cost a night of data ($28,000). I was able to remake this component, get the system
working, and save that night’s data run.
 Prototype early designs for quick testing and feasibility studies.
MS, Physics, 2009, University of Washington
BS, Astronomy and Physics, 2007, University of Washington
Coursework toward MS, Mechanical Engineering, New Mexico State University
(Currently transferring to University of Washington ME)
Multiple co-authored papers, listed in curriculum vitae.
2007 John Baer Award for Research; University of Washington.
2011 - 2012 Fellow, Harvard University, Department of Physics
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