ELT-DMS On-Site Automation and Commissioning Engineer

The selected candidate(s) will be assigned to the Dome and Main Structure (DMS) team in charge of the supervision of the contract for the design, fabrication, transport, erection, commissioning and testing of the protective enclosure ("Dome") and of the telescope structure ("Main Structure") of the Extremely Large Telescope (ELT) at the Cerro Armazones site in Chile.

The DMS Automation Commissioning Engineers will contribute to the supervision on-site of the control system setup and commissioning activities of the DMS Main Contractor company awarded by ESO for the construction, erection, commissioning and testing of the ELT Dome and Main Structure. The DMS Main Contractor has erected a construction camp on site in 2017 with workshops, dormitories and logistical facilities. Construction of the DMS has started in 2018. Excavations and civil works have been largely completed, and the steel structure erection of the Dome and MS elements is in progress. The DMS design and production in Europe is well advanced with the vast majority of the structures and mechanisms already transported at Armazones, now available in the construction camp. Electrical installation on site is about to start in Q2 2025, with the rotating enclosure (Dome), its annex equipment (Chiller and Dry Cooler) and later of the telescope structure (Main Structure). As the DMS can be considered part building, part machine, the control system encompasses elements from various fields including: building automation, lighting, IT and communication infrastructure, HVAC, fire detection and suppression, access control, fluids and power monitoring and distribution, functional safety, and high-end motion control to accurately point the 4500t Main Structure and 6300t Dome to permit the ELT to reach its scientific goals. The control system architecture is based largely on Siemens PLC hardware and protocols (S7-1500 and PROFINET), Siemens WinCC OA for SCADA/BMS, IT infrastructure based on Cisco and Siemens equipment, and low-level devices from various other manufacturers.

Main Duties and Responsibilities:

As DMS Automation Commissioning Engineer, the selected candidates will have the following general responsibilities in monitoring the work of the DMS Main Contractor:

• To lead the monitoring of the QA of all control system related activities performed under the DMS Main Contractor responsibility on-site tasked with the construction, erection, commissioning and testing of the ELT Dome and Main Structure. These activities cover principally the commissioning of the following subsystems within the Dome and Main Structure:
• Motion Control (specifically with S7-1500/Sinamics S120)
• Industrial Automation
• Building Automation
• HVAC Control and monitoring
• Control and monitoring of fluids distribution
• Functional Safety
• Fire detection and suppression systems
• IT/Communication Infrastructure
• Security (Access/CCTV)
• Power management/load shedding
• GUI/HMI Development
• Historian functionality for the above


• To report to and discuss with the ESO DMS Site Management the course of actions and issues raised during site works.
• To report all contractors' activities, inspection results and site events to ESO DMS Site Management by regular reporting (written and oral).
• To check and record the works performed on-site under the DMS Main Contractor responsibility in terms of quality and planning. This includes the monitoring of the quality of the work execution, inspections and the collection of quality records, supported by other ESO key specialists and/or external Quality Assurance consultant(s).
• To contribute to the execution of formal Test Readiness Reviews associated with the acceptance testing of the DMS.
• To lead and coordinate all or parts of the DMS control system related verification and acceptance activities with the DMS Main Contractor based on an agreed verification plan.
• To participate to regular Site Coordination Meetings with the DMS Main Contractor and follow the agreed actions recorded in formal minutes.
• To contribute to the verification of the correct ESO working procedures and regulations in force being applied by the DMS Main Contractor representative on site of the, with particular attention to safety regulations.
• To review improvements on the completion of DMS Main Contractor works for specific progress milestones, if needed.
• To assist the ESO Site Management in coordinating the works of other ESO Contractors, of external industrials, scientists or specialist contributors on-site. This support will be handled in compliance with Site Safety Regulations on site.

Additional tasks as staff member of the ELT DMS Site team will be:

• To participate, on request, to the follow-up and the review of manufacturing (including software implementation) of the Dome and the Main Structure control system developed by the DMS Contractor, by taking part (videoconference or in person) in technical meetings.

Reports to:

The ESO DMS Site Manager and his Deputy.

The DMS Automation Commissioning Engineers will be working at Cerro Armazones Site in shifts. They will manage and supervise quality inspectors.

Key Competences and Experience:

Essential Competences and Experience

• Ability to review and critically evaluate PLC programs and configuration settings (TIA Portal, IEC 61131-3)
• Either demonstrated proficiency in Industrial Automation commissioning/testing in all of the following areas:
• Functional Safety (according to EN/IEC 62061)
• Industrial Communication/fieldbus protocols (PROFINET, Modbus)
• VFD Configuration and Commissioning (Sinamics STARTER/STARTDRIVE)
• Ability to read and interpret mechanical, electrical and P&ID drawings


• or demonstrated proficiency in Building Automation commissioning/testing in three or more of the following areas:
• Custom-built HVAC and cooling systems (Siemens, CAREL controllers)
• Fire Detection and Suppression Systems (Honeywell Notifier)
• Industrial Communication/fieldbus protocols (PROFINET, Modbus, DALI)
• IT/Communication Infrastructure (Cisco, Alcatel)
• Access Control (Honeywell)


• Ability to integrate and coordinate, multilanguage and multicultural teams, focusing on the success of the project.
• Solid communication skills both for internal reporting and externally to the Contractor.

For this position ESO is seeking one engineer with industrial and field experience of 5 years, in the area of large multidisciplinary projects such as heavy industrial systems, power plants, mines or telescopes comparable installations. They should have a significant background in site installation and commissioning of complex automated systems. They should also have an experience of quality supervision on a construction site in a remote area for which inspections and monitoring are keys to the success of the project.

The ideal candidate should have in particular:

• The taste for field work as well as office work for recording, reporting and archiving the inspections carried out.
• An experience in site commissioning of complex systems involving power and fluids distribution, building automation, and automatized mechanisms of heavy structures.
• A solid experience in commissioning and technical management of automation and control of complex systems.
• Either a solid background in building automation or in industrial automation systems installation and commissioning of complex interconnected systems such as telescopes, production lines, or similar turnkey projects.
• A strong background working with Siemens products (S7-1500, Sinamics S120, SCALANCE, WinCC OA)
• An experience in understanding high level technical and quality requirements, understanding operating procedures and QA processes.
• An experience in technical monitoring of contractors on a construction site with respect to technical progress, quality and technical results.
• A Minimum of three years of experience in field of installation and commissioning of complex and large turnkey projects.
• Be fit to work at 3000m altitude and manoeuvre safely around an 80m high structure

Qualifications:

A University Degree in Electrical, Electronic, or Mechatronics Engineering or equivalent.

Language skills:

Excellent English verbal and written communication skills. Good Spanish verbal and written communication skills.

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.

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.

This position is part of the time-limited ELT- DMS phase of the ELT project, which is expected to have a duration of three years. 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 one extension 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. 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 duty station of the post is in Chile (Paranal/Armazones). The DMS Electrical Engineer will work on site in a shift pattern, commuting between her/his place of residence in Chile and the duty station.

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 17 June 2025.

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.ESO strives for excellence through innovation.

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.