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Working at ESO
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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 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.
For its Mechanical Engineering Department (MEC) in the Directorate of Engineering (DoE) at the Headquarters in Garching near Munich, Germany, ESO is opening the position of a
Mechanical System Engineer
Garching
Deadline 21/12/2015
The selected candidate will work in the ESO Engineering matrix organisation. S/he will be assigned to the Telescope and Large Structures Group in the Mechanical Engineering Department and support among other projects the E-ELT system engineering team in the field of mechanical engineering.
Main Duties and Responsibilities:
- Advice the ELT system engineer on mechanical engineering aspects
- Resolve system-level technical issues
- Participate in project and contract reviews
- Define and maintain mechanical interfaces between subsystems
- Develop and maintain system-wide engineering budgets
- Contribute to the compliance verification
S/he will be involved in collaborations with industrial partners and scientific institutes in the design and construction of telescopes and scientific instruments. Occasional visits to suppliers and to ESO's observatories in Chile may be required.
Experience:
We seek an experienced engineer in the area of astronomical telescopes who participated in all phases of a telescope project, from the conceptual phase to the construction and commissioning. In order to work efficiently in a system engineering team s/he should have a sound background in mechanical engineering of precision system and additionally knowledge in related engineering fields such as control of dynamic systems, structural analysis, electric systems and safety. This combined experience is necessary to support technical trade-offs and help finding feasible solutions to telescope system areas which fulfil all requirements.
Key Competences:
- Candidates shall have solid experience in the design and understanding of precision mechanical structures and mechanisms, including mirror support systems. Experience in the performance analysis of these structures would be an asset;
- S/he shall be familiar with 3D CAD technology and with European engineering and drafting and with engineering documentation standards. The command of a state-of-the art 3D Cad system would be an asset;
- Hands-on experience with system engineering processes, configuration control principles and requirements management is required in order to allow a quick-start without a long learning period;
- Excellent communication skills are required to analyse and resolve problems with project managers, technical specialists and other stakeholders;
- Ability to collaborate with specialists in other engineering fields like control engineering and optics;
- Ability to build strong collaborative working relationships with people from different cultural backgrounds and disciplines;
- Work both on your own initiative and as part of a team;
- Willingness to acquire new skills, develop a system understanding, keep up-to-date with the tools used in the daily work, adapt to new procedures and identify ways to optimize the workflow.
Qualifications:
A University Degree in Mechanical Engineering or a related field
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, comprehensive pension scheme and medical, educational and other social benefits, as well as financial help in relocating your family and the possibility to place child/children in daycare.
The contract is for a fixed term duration of three years, and is subject to successful completion of the probation period. There is a possibility of extension(s) subject to individual performance and organisational requirements, and as defined in the applicable policies and staff rules and regulations. For any further information, please visit <http://www.eso.org/public/jobs/conditions/intstaff>.
Duty Station:
Garching near Munich, Germany with occasional 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 21 December 2015.
Interviews are expected to start the second half of January 2016.
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.