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Working at ESO
Are you interested in working in areas of frontline technology and in a stimulating international environment? Do you feel your profile matches our requirements? Learn more about our current vacancies and apply online. Read more..
The European Organisation for Astronomical Research in the Southern Hemisphere (ESO) is the foremost intergovernmental astronomy organisation in Europe and the world's most productive ground-based astronomical observatory. ESO carries out an ambitious programme focused on the design, construction and operation of powerful ground-based observing facilities enabling astronomers to make important scientific discoveries.
ESO operates three unique world-class observing sites in northern Chile: La Silla, Paranal and Chajnantor (home to ALMA and APEX), and the ESO Headquarters are located in Garching, near Munich, Germany.
At Paranal, ESO operates the Very Large Telescope, the world's most advanced visible-light astronomical observatory. ESO is a major partner in ALMA, the largest astronomical project in existence. And on Cerro Armazones, ESO is building the 39-metre European Extremely Large Telescope, which will become "the world's biggest eye on the sky" and whose operations will be fully integrated into the Paranal Observatory.
Within the Directorate of Engineering (DoE) at the Headquarters in Garching near Munich, Germany, ESO is opening the position of
Software Test and Integration Engineer
Garching
Deadline 30/10/2015
We are looking for an experienced software test/integration specialist who will be primarily responsible for the verification and validation of software products within the Control Software and Engineering Department (CSE) based in Garching. The CSE department comprises a team of 35 Software and Control Engineers organized in 4 groups who are responsible for the definition, design and implementation of complex control systems for advanced optical and infrared astronomical instrumentation and telescope systems required for ESO's Observatories in Chile.
Main Duties and Responsibilities:
The successful candidate will be member of project teams within ESO's matrix structure and will be responsible for:
- Verification and validation of control software developed in house or external for ESO's VLT and E-ELT and their instruments
- Verification of design and implementation against requirements through analysis and inspection
- Definition, implementation, execution of test cases, automated whenever reasonable and documentation of the results
- Different levels of testing such as functional, integration, system, stress, performance and regression tests
- Investigation of errors found down to source code level and reporting fault to developers
- Active contribution to continuous maintenance and improvement of the software engineering environment including the development/build/test environments, software configuration and version control systems
- Definition of software quality metrics, their implementation and evaluation
Experience:
- Minimum of 3 years of professional experience in test and integration of complex distributed software applications running on UNIX platforms, preferably Linux.
- Experience in testing embedded software on real time operating systems.
- Experience in communication within distributed systems (e.g. TCP/IP, UDP/IP) including middleware (e.g. CORBA, DDS) and the underlying patterns (e.g. peer-peer, client-server)
- Good knowledge of testing and code checking tools.
- Proficiency in the development of test procedures using scripting languages (e.g. UNIX shell, Python or Perl)
- Experience with test automation frameworks and/or continuous integration
- Sound experience with Software Engineering standards and tools (version control, problem reporting systems).
- Experience with software quality standards and related metrics
The following additional skills would be an advantage:
- Good knowledge of programming languages (C++, C or Java).
- Experience in evaluating, installing and configuring Software tools.
- Experience with Software building tools.
- Software Testing Certification (e.g. ISTQB).
Key Competences:
- Tests control software within a highly automated test environment
- Continuously improves the development/production/test environment
- Provides clear, concise and timely oral and written communications, identifies the key issues, examines options and proposes the way ahead.
- Is able to build strong collaborative working relationships with people from different cultural backgrounds and disciplines
- Is flexible in adapting to changes of requirements and priorities as well as of assignments.
- Monitors progress of own work and delivers to agreed deadlines and standards
- Develops own skills and ensures that learning and development needs are identified, solutions found and outcomes evaluated
- Is capable to work for different projects and with different teams in a matrix structure, also in parallel and under pressure
- Takes over responsibility and is able to take decisions
Qualifications:
A University degree in computer science, electronic engineering, physics or equivalent.
Language Skills:
Excellent command of the English language is essential; a working knowledge of German or Spanish would be an advantage.
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 title or grade may be subject to change according to qualification and the number of years of experience.
The contract is for a fixed-term duration of three years, and is subject to successful completion of the probation period. The contract will therefore cease after three years.
An extension is possible only under certain conditions and in accordance with the applicable policies and staff rules and regulations.
Duty Station:
Garching near Munich, Germany with regular duty trips to all ESO sites in Chile.
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 30 October 2015.
Interviews are expected to start soon after this date.
No nationality is in principle excluded. However, recruitment preference will be given to nationals of Austria, Belgium, Brazil, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and United Kingdom.
The post is equally open to suitably qualified female and male applicants.