Optical Engineer/ Systems and Optics Group Leader

The successful applicant will be Group Leader of the Systems and Optics 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 80 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 Systems and Optics Group is comprised of 10 engineers and technicians and is responsible for all telescope optics and system analysis at the Paranal Observatory.

Main Duties and Responsibilities:

The selected candidate will have the following main duties:

As Systems and Optics Group Leader:

• Manage the personnel in his/her group (performance evaluation, recruitment, training);
• Prepare and monitor FTE request and allocation for the different activities and schedule the staff accordingly;?
• Prepare and follow up the annual budget;
• Ensure the performance of the group through KPIs;
• Acts as the safety responsible for the Group;
• Supports the observatory operation as Chief Operation Engineer.

As Optics Engineer:

• Have the technical responsibility of one or more systems: Be responsible of all maintenance activities (corrective and planned) and obsolescence analysis; ensure the availability of the systems according to specification; propose and implement change requests (analysis, design, implementation, commissioning, documentation); interact with the optical engineers at ESO headquarters and with the Support and Quality Assurance group (planning, spare parts, maintenance plan optimization, documentation and quality control)

Support activities:

• Lead performance analysis; 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.

Reports to:

The Head of the Maintenance, Support and Engineering Department.

Experience:

The ideal candidate has at least ten years of professional experience in: the field of astronomical optics and ideally observatory operations; management and/or coordination of a team; system engineering and project management.

Key Competences:

• Optical metrology and alignment techniques
• Lead with strength and credibility;
• Manage a team in a multinational and multi cultural environment;
• Coach and supervise scientific and technical personnel;
• Constructively suggest improvements to work processes;
• Plan effectively and monitor progress of work, deliver results on time and to standards;
• Constructively address disagreement and manage conflict.

Qualifications:

University degree in optics, physics, or engineering related to photonics.

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.

The contract is for a fixed-term period of three years, which can be extended for no more than two additional three- year periods (up to a total of 9 years). Consideration for a contract of indefinite duration may be given after a minimum of 4 years of service, based on operational needs and qualification of the staff member.

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.

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.

Closing date for applications is 15 October 2015.

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