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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 (VLT), 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.
Due to the need for additional resources for its Mechanical Engineering Department (MEC), within the Directorate of Engineering at its Headquarters in Garching, near Munich, Germany, ESO is advertising the position of
This is an excellent opportunity for engineers with relevant work experience, whether they are in the early stages of their career or have reached a certain level of seniority. ESO is looking for a Mechanical Engineer to work in MEC's Instruments and Cryogenic Systems group in the Directorate of Engineering. The department comprises about 30 engineers and technicians, who work closely with other departments at ESO as well as many national and 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 and VLT.
The successful candidate will work in the ESO matrix structure serving various projects and fulfilling tasks received from supervisor and project managers. This includes involvement in many project phases typically consisting of design, Assembly-Integration-Verification (AIV) and commissioning.
The Mechanical Engineer will be also involved in collaborations with mainly European companies and/or consortia for the design, construction testing and installation of scientific instruments and sub-units for ELT and VLT. They will also support the design and laboratory test activities of ESO developments and deliverables. Visits to contractors' premises and duty trips to ESO's observatories in Chile are required to support contracts follow-up, installation and commissioning activities.
Main Duties and Responsibilities:
- Support ELT and VLT programmes with mechanical engineering and design;
- Use CAD software for the mechanical design of telescope infrastructure, scientific instruments and their sub-units, mechanisms and handling devices;
- Supervision of manufacturing, integration and commissioning of instruments, sub-units and infrastructure, in some cases up to the on-site installation at the observatories;
- As member of follow-up teams covering the mechanical aspects, support and review the work of consortia in the development of astronomical instrumentation for the ESO observatories;
- Laboratory testing and optimization of instrument subsystems.
Reports to:
Head of the Instruments and Cryogenic Systems Group of the Mechanical Engineering Department.
Key Competences and Experience:
Essential Competences and Experience
- Minimum three years of relevant experience in mechanical engineering, including 3D CAD mechanical design of parts and large assemblies;
- Sound knowledge of European standards for design, draughting and documentation;
- Sound knowledge of mechanical systems and mechanisms;
- Experience in performing basic structural and thermal FEA;
- Familiar with standard MS office tools (Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Teams);
- Good sense of team spirit;
- Ability to analyse and resolve problems with project managers, technical specialists and other stakeholders;
- Ability to prepare documentation in the form of technical reports and presentations;
- Ability to work in parallel for different projects, teams, priorities and within a matrix structure;
- Willingness to learn new skills, develop systems understanding and keep updated with the tools used in the day to day work.
Desirable Competences and Experience
- Ability to work in an international organisation and communicate fluently in English;
- Basic understanding of astronomical telescopes and instrumentation;
- Basic knowledge of cryogenics and vacuum technologies;
- Experience in design and laboratory testing of optical / infrared / cryogenic instruments or sub-units;
- Experience in the design and installation of water cooling systems;
- Basic knowledge of Autodesk Inventor, Vault, Navisworks, Revit.
Qualifications:
University degree (MSc) in Mechanical Engineering, or equivalent educational level.
Language skills:
Good commanding of the English language - oral, reading and writing - is essential. Knowledge of German and 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 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 in Garching, Germany. Frequent traveling to construction sites in Chile and to contractor sites in Europe is required. The jobholder will be required to temporarily work at high altitudes above 3000m.
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 6 April 2025.
Interviews are expected to start soon after this date.
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.