Instrumentation Engineer

The successful applicant will be part of the Instrumentation Group within the Maintenance, Support and Engineering (MSE) Department at the Paranal site of the La Silla Paranal Observatory.

The MSE Department of the Paranal Observatory with a workforce of 85 engineers and technicians provides maintenance and technical support to the four 8m VLT telescopes, to the VLT Interferometer with its auxiliary telescopes, the VST and VISTA survey telescopes and to all instruments available for scientific observations. Astronomical instruments are large, complex facilities involving advanced technologies in the fields of optics, precision mechanics, electronics, cryogenics, detector acquisition systems and software.

The Instrumentation Group is comprised of 15 engineers, physicists and technicians and is responsible for all astronomical instruments at the Paranal Observatory. The group Is responsible for 'Maintien en Condition Operationelle' (MCO) of all (HW only) instruments (including MACAO + VLTI Instruments + FINITO/IRIS/ARAL + LGSF + MMU), MCO of detector and opto-mechanical labs, MCO of technical equipment in New Integration Hall, Clean room for Interface and follow -up for new instruments (HW), WP management of outsourced contract.

Main Duties and Responsibilities:

The successful candidate will have the technical responsibility of one or more instruments:

• Be responsible of all maintenance activities (corrective and planned) and obsolescence analysis
• Ensure the availability of the instruments according to specification
• Interact with the Instrument Scientist to assess the performance of the instruments
• Organize with the Instrument Scientist the Instrument Operation Team meetings and coordinate activities with the Science Operations Department.
• Propose and implement change requests (analysis, design, implementation, commissioning, documentation)
• Interact with the instrument experts at ESO headquarters and with the Support and Quality Assurance group (planning, spare parts, maintenance plan optimization, documentation and quality control)
• Coordinate and supervise contractor activities in close coordination with the outsource contract manager

Also s/he will have the following support activities:

• Participate to the daily troubleshooting and corrective maintenance of instruments a required
• Lead performance analysis and maintenance on instruments
• Assembly Integration and Verification of new systems and ensure the transfer of knowledge from project to the dedicated team
• Any critical Paranal observatory activities for which your competencies are requested by your manager
• Operation as telescope and Instrument Startup (TIS) and/or Telescope Coordinator (TCO)

Reports to:

The Instrumentation Group Leader.

Experience:

The ideal candidate has at least three years of professional experience in:

• The field of astronomical or scientific instrument development and observatory operation
• Optical alignment of complex systems, by using standard tools and methodologies

Knowledge and experience in at least two of the following domains will be an asset:

• System engineering
• Spectroscopy
• Adaptive Optics and Laser Guide Star
• Control systems

Key Competences:

• Ability to understand the 'big picture' and the details of complex systems, their interfaces, and their performance
• Ability to trouble shoot and solve problems under difficult working conditions and with tight deadlines
• Real interest to learn maintenance and trouble-shooting techniques
• Having a fine grasp of practical work, in particular for optical alignment
• Strong sense of team spirit with the ability to work effectively in a multi-national and multi-cultural environment
• Good self-organization
• Constructively suggest improvements to work processes
• Plan effectively and monitor progress of work, deliver results on time and to standards

Qualifications:

University degree in physics, optics, engineering or astronomy. Specialisation (PhD) in the field of astronomical instrumentation and/or system engineering, or equivalent, is highly desirable.

Language Skills:

The position requires excellent oral and written communication skills in English.

Remuneration and Contract:

We offer an attractive remuneration package including a competitive salary, comprehensive pension scheme and medical, educational and other social benefits, as well as financial help in relocating your family and the possibility to place your child/children in daycare.

The initial contract is for a period of three years with the possibility of a fixed-term or indefinite extension based on technical and managerial achievements. The title or grade may be subject to change according to qualification and the number of years of experience.

Duty Station:

Paranal Observatory, located 120 km south of the city of Antofagasta, Chile. The working schedule will be 8 days on duty and 6 days off duty (8x6) with accommodation provided on site, after a probation period with 5 days on duty and 2 days off (5x2). Place of residence shall be either Santiago or Antofagasta.

Career Path: V

Application:

If you are interested in working in areas of frontline technology and in a stimulating international environment, please visit (http://www.eso.org) for further details.

Applicants are invited to apply online via our recruitment portal http://recruitment.eso.org/. Applications must be completed in English and should include a motivation letter and your CV.

Closing date for applications is 2 March 2015.

Although recruitment preference will be given to nationals of ESO Member States (members are: Austria, Belgium, Brazil, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and United Kingdom) no nationality is in principle excluded.

The post is equally open to suitably qualified female and male applicants.