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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 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, and will host and operate the southern array of the Cherenkov Telescope Array, the world's largest and most sensitive high energy gamma-ray observatory. ESO is a major partner in ALMA. On Cerro Armazones, ESO is building the 39-metre Extremely Large Telescope (ELT), which will become "the world's biggest eye on the sky" and whose operations will be fully integrated into the Paranal Observatory.
To fulfil the roles and responsibilities of the ESO ALMA Support Center (EASC), in collaboration with the Directorate of Operation at its Headquarters in Garching, near Munich, Germany, ESO is advertising the position of
ALMA Maintenance Engineer
Garching
Deadline 31/08/2024
We are seeking a Maintenance Mechanical Engineer to join our team. You should have relevant experience/skills for the position gained after obtaining your degree. You will act as the off-site technical lead, coordinating and supporting off-site maintenance activities for ESO deliverables to the ALMA Observatory. You will also be responsible for proposing and managing obsolescence mitigation and upgrade projects, providing or coordinating training and support to ALMA Observatory teams, identifying and implementing improvements to weaker systems.
Main Duties and Responsibilities:
Your main tasks include:
- Review maintenance and obsolescence and as necessary propose mitigation plans, for the ESO deliverables to ALMA;
- Conduct thorough assessments to identify weaknesses in Antennas and Transporters delivered by ESO. Develop and implement strategies to improve their reliability, efficiency, and performance;
- Coordinate with the Joint ALMA Observatory (JAO)in Chile and external contractors the commissioning, integration and verification on site of upgrades/retrofits for the ALMA Transporters and ESO Antennas;
- Analyse mechanical failures and recommend improvements to prevent recurrence;
- Provide remote diagnostic and troubleshooting support for mechanical issues in ESO Antennas and ALMA Transporters;
- Collaborate with on-site engineers and technicians to guide and support hands-on maintenance tasks;
- Develop technical documentation and Statement of Work for hardware development and service procurement;
- Interface with the vendors for the execution of the specific deliverables/services;
- Participate in regular training and development to stay updated on the latest technologies and maintenance practices;
- Coordinate and support the preparation of technical reports and support reviews of specific ESO deliverables to ALMA as needed.
Reports to:
Head of the ALMA Technical Team (EASC/ATT) in the ESO Directorate of Operations.
Key Competences and Experience
Essential Competences and Experience:
- Strong communication skills, essential to effectively work within the world-wide ALMA partnership;
- Experience with Obsolescence Management and mitigation plans;
- Proven ability to coordinate activities/requests and effective communication within multi-cultural teams;
- Experience in writing technical specifications, reports and Statements of Work;
- Experience in working with formal multi-cultural and distributed industrial partnerships;
- Familiarity with automated maintenance management systems (CMMS);
- Strong diagnostic and critical thinking skills, with an ability to anticipate/identify problems and provide workable solutions;
- Knowledge of safety regulations and industry standards related to hydraulic systems and heavy vehicles;
- Strong understanding of heavy vehicle mechanics, including engines, transmissions, bearings and braking systems;
- Ability to work independently and manage multiple tasks efficiently.
Desirable Competences and Experience:
- Experience with commissioning/operations/maintenance/obsolescence;
- Experience with CAD software and mechanical design;
- Experience with large multi-cultural scientific collaborations;
- Proven track record in diagnosing, troubleshooting, and repairing mechanical and hydraulic issues in heavy machinery.
Qualifications
Essential educational level:
Bachelor's degree in Mechatronics/Mechanical Engineering (or equivalent). Minimum 3 years of relevant working experience
A master's degree in mechanical engineering or an equivalent field is viewed as a valuable asset.
Language skills:
The position requires a strong command of the English language. Spanish language skills 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 support to place your child/children in daycare.
Our Salary Structure
ESO's salary structure is based upon a range of career paths which reflect the nature and level of our jobs. Each career path is made up of two or three grades which are used to further reflect experience.
Please follow this attached link for more details https://www.eso.org/public/jobs/conditions/intstaff/salary-structure/
ESO aims to support members of personnel in maintaining a good work-life balance (https://www.eso.org/public/jobs/conditions/intstaff/#work-life-balance) between their professional and private life. ESO is also committed to offering family-friendly support (https://www.eso.org/public/jobs/conditions/intstaff/#family-friendly-support), creating a work environment and policies which allow staff to balance their professional and private responsibilities through flexible working arrangements and financial support for families.
The contract is for a fixed term duration of three years and is subject to successful completion of the probation period. There may be 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 ESO's conditions of employment (https://www.eso.org/public/jobs/conditions/) . Please note that the contract policy and in particular the regulations concerning fixed-term and indefinite contracts are currently under review which may lead to changes in the contractual conditions applicable to this position.
Duty Station:
The position is based at the ESO headquarters in Garching bei Muenchen, Germany. The position requires at least 20% of the time spent at the ALMA Operations Facility and Array Operations Site (5000m above sea level), on a yearly basis. It is a requirement that the employee undertakes a temporary transfer and/or long mission to the ALMA sites in Chile for a period of between three and six months during the first year of their appointment. This may also be necessary in subsequent years.
Career Path: V
Application:
If you are interested in working in areas of frontline science and 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. Within your CV, please provide the names and contact details of three persons familiar with your work and willing to provide a recommendation letter upon request. Referees will not be contacted without your prior consent.
Deadline for applications is 31 August 2024
Interviews are expected to start soon after this date.
ESO Values
An important element in any successful employment relationship is harmony in values between an organisation and its people.
The ESO Values are:
ESO strives for excellence through innovation.
ESO provides outstanding services to its communities.
ESO fosters diversity & inclusion.
ESO believes in the key role of sustainability for its future.
Achieving the above are recognized as only possible on the basis of personal values and attitudes that we expect from our employees: respect, integrity, accountability, commitment, collaboration, and clear & open communication.
Applicants to any ESO role are asked to reflect on their affinity with these values and advised they may be asked about them if called for interview.
Diversity
ESO has established diversity as an important value of the Organisation, is committed to providing an equal opportunities environment and is actively seeking to promote a diverse, equitable and inclusive workforce. Please visit https://www.eso.org/public/about-eso/sustainability/dei-at-eso/ for further details.
Nationality
No nationality is in principle excluded from employment at ESO, however, recruitment preference will be given to nationals of our Member States, host states and strategic partners: Australia, Austria, Belgium, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, the Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, the United Kingdom and Chile, irrespective of gender, age, disability, sexual orientation, ethnicity or religion.