Optical Engineer

We are looking for an optical engineer to work on the design, procurement and tests of optical systems for current and future ESO projects. This position provides the opportunity to work in a collaborative international environment and hands-on participation at different stages in the development of small and large scale optical systems.

The Optical Engineering Department provides support in the field of optics and photonics to all ESO projects. The technical expertise offered by the department includes the optical design, integration and tests of optical systems as well as photonics technologies and laser guide stars. The department supports projects in the field of system engineering and provides support for assembly, integration and testing. In addition, it supports the observatory solving optical problems arising in systems in operation. The department manages the optical and opto-mechanical integration laboratories at ESO headquarters.

Main Duties and Responsibilities:

• In collaboration with the wavefront control and system engineering teams, define technical requirements for the procurement of the E-ELT optics;
• Provide support to the project managers in managing the procurement contracts for optical materials, components and systems, in particular by:
• Assessing the design solutions;
• Assessing the optical manufacturing and test performance budgets;
• Following-up of optical manufacturing and test activities;
• Assessing and reviewing compliances of the products with the specifications;


• Support the wavefront control and the assembly, integration and verification (AIV) teams in defining the strategies for the alignment of the optics in the telescope;
• Support the AIV team in defining and implementing test procedures for the telescope and its optical units for the time of AIV and commissioning.

You will be involved in collaborations with European and non-European institutes for the design and construction of telescopes and scientific instruments. The position requires traveling within the ESO Member States for the contract technical follow-up. Extended visits to ESO's observatories in Chile may be required for the preparation of the installation and commissioning of the optical systems.

Experience:

You should have knowledge and a minimum of three years of professional experience in writing specifications and in the procurement and tests of optical materials and devices, in particular mirrors and lenses. Experience in the follow-up of contracts and in contract management in general would be an asset, as well as experience in the field of large optical systems, in particular large telescopes with, possibly, segmented mirrors.

Key Competences:

• Optical design and analysis;
• Good knowledge of high-performance optical manufacturing and testing;
• Capability to assess the quality and impact of an optical design in the context of a larger system containing the optics;
• Some managerial background in terms of contractor technical management (communication, negotiation);
• Risk and problem control: identifying key issues, assessing options, and proposing a way forward;
• Clear and concise written and verbal communication;
• Ability and motivation to work in a team. Building strong collaborative working relationships with people from different cultural backgrounds and disciplines.

Qualifications:

University Degree in Optical Engineering or Physics.

Language skills:

The position requires a good working knowledge of English.

Remuneration and Contract:

We offer an attractive remuneration package including a competitive salary (tax free), 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:

Garching near Munich, Germany.

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 at http://jobs.eso.org/. Applications must be completed in English and should include a motivation letter and CV together with the names of three individuals willing to provide professional reference letters.

Closing date for applications is 19 June 2015.

Although recruitment preference will be given to nationals of ESO Member States (members are: Austria, Belgium, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Poland, 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.