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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.
The ESO Electronics Department (ELE), within the Directorate of Engineering (DoE) at its Headquarters in Garching, near Munich, Germany, is advertising the following opportunity:
Electronics Engineer / Group Head
Garching
Deadline 23/10/2024
ESO is looking for an Electronics Engineers to work in ELE's Telescope and Instrument Electronic Group (ETIE). The department comprises about 33 electronics engineers and technicians, 7 of them in the ETIE group (incl. the group head), who work closely with other departments at ESO as well as with international institutes and industrial consortia to define and develop state-of-the-art research facilities for ESO's observatories in Chile, especially for the ELT.
The ETIE Group is in charge of the electronic control system design for telescopes and instruments at ESO. You will be working approx. 70% of the time on technical tasks, the remaining time will be used for managerial duties in your role as Group Head.
Main Duties and Responsibilities (technical):
- Providing support to ESO projects for the definition, design, analysis, test and optimization of electronic control systems during all phases of their life cycle, starting from concept study over construction, integration, commissioning to operation and obsolescence management
- Act as contact point for industrial contracts and consortia, providing guidance and support for design choices, component and technology selection
- Participate to design reviews, acceptance- and performance verification tests
- Contribute to the definition and maintenance of ESO technical standards and specifications
- Design, implementation and commissioning of control systems (predominantly PLC based)
- Check and ensure compliance of in-house and externally designed systems with the relevant standards
- Provide staff members with technical support upon request
Main Duties and Responsibilities (managerial):
The position comprises line management responsibility for a group of currently 6 engineers
- Resource allocation process for the group, allocating work to the staff as required in consultation with the relevant project managers and department head, ensuring a balanced distribution of the workload and optimal usage of the workforce
- Ensure that the necessary competences, required to support the ESO projects in the electronic engineering domain, are available and kept up-to-date
- Conduct annual performance assessment, define objectives, organise trainings and learning and development plans for the group staff members
- Monitor the achievement of the objectives and adherence to deadlines, report on deviations and upcoming conflicts
- Provide general line management to the staff
- Ensure an efficient flow of information within the matrix organisation of the DoE and with the projects
Reports to:
Head of the electronics engineering department.
Key Competences and Experience:
Essential Competences and Experience
- At least five years of working experience in the area of electronic/electrical engineering, in particular development, analysis, design, implementation and on-site commissioning in multidisciplinary systems involving mechanics, optics, control, software and electronics
- Minimum two years of experience in managing and leading small teams
- PLC Technology: you are familiar with PLC and HMI systems and -programming (Siemens S7 TIA Portal / Beckhoff TwinCAT 3 including fieldbus systems)
- Experience with test-, validation- and acceptance procedures for the electronics equipment of machinery
- Desire to combine hands-on work with management responsibilities
- Very good analytical and problem solving skills
- High level of flexibility and self-organizing skills
- Active, clear, concise and open way of communication
- Ability to establish and maintain a strong team-spirit within the group
Desirable Competences and Experience
- Experience with E-CAD design tools (e.g. ePLAN, Altium)
- Experience with servodrive systems, closed control loops and their tuning
- Knowledge in the area of functional safety, machinery directive and safety related control systems
- Experience in working in an international/multicultural environment and in managing functional teams
- Ideally you have at least basic knowledge of astronomical telescopes and instruments
Qualifications:
University degree in Electronic/Electrical Engineering (or a related discipline, complemented by extensive practical experience in the designated field)
Language skills:
A very good command of the English language - oral and written - is essential.
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 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:
Garching near Munich, Germany with regular duty trips to suppliers within Europe and ESO sites in Chile. At a later stage, during the ELT assembly, integration and verification phase, also longer duty trips to the ELT construction site in Chile are likely to be needed.
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 23 October 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.