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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 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, 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, the largest astronomical project in existence. And 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.
For its IT Department in the IT Operations Group in Chile, within the Directorate of Engineering, ESO is opening a Local Staff Member position of:
We are looking for an early career Computer Engineer with residence in Chile, who will work on ESO IT Operations, Projects, programmes and collaborations, ensuring the continuous work of our systems environment, in particular our Observatory sites in Chile and their connection to ESO Headquarters in Germany.
ESO IT Department has a diverse team of engineers from multiple countries and backgrounds performing their work in an international environment focused on evolving IT technologies to support the most advanced astronomy initiatives in the world. In Chile, the IT Department supports the ESO observatories, including ESO Paranal and ESO ELT and multiple collaboration projects with institutions from all over the world.
The Linux and Automation engineer is part of the IT Operations Chile Group working in close collaboration with the La Silla Paranal Observatory departments, the IT Department team in Garching and external service providers. The primary objective of this role is to ensure reliable, secure, automated operation of the Linux Infrastructure for Control Systems in alignment with ESO IT standards, architectural principles, and approved technology roadmaps. The engineer is responsible for implementing and maintaining automated systems administration practices, with a strong focus on configuration management, monitoring and life cycle management for telescope and instrument control systems.
Main Duties and Responsibilities:
- Support ESO operational environment including the implementation and adaptation of IT infrastructure for control systems in the observatory sites.
- Guide the daily operation of IT Infrastructure including Hypervisors, Linux-based Servers and approved cloud environment, using standardised tools.
- Maintain and operate the IT infrastructure for the Control Systems and Operations maintenance teams in the observatory site.
- Monitor systems health and performance and automate the handling of recurring operational alerts and routine remediation tasks.
- Develop, maintain, and troubleshoot scripts to support operational efficiency and reduce manual intervention.
- Deploy and operate applications on Linux-based and approved container platforms according to established platform standards and documented deployment models.
Additionally, you will be responsible for guiding and overseeing the work of contractors for the implementation and support of these technologies and for leading the troubleshooting of complex issues while designing and implementing operational remediation measures within approved architectural standards.
Reports to:
Head of IT Operations Chile Group of the Information Technology Department within the Directorate of Engineering.
Key competences and Experience:
Essential:
- Service oriented attitude, excellent communication skills to work in a multicultural team, and ability to work on projects with multiple stakeholders.
- 3 years of experience in the field: administration of Linux and VMware based systems using automation and configuration management tools, such as Ansible and Git.
- Basic Networking understanding: DNS, TCP/IP, VLANs, Routing
- Strong monitoring and troubleshooting skills
- Self-training capabilities
Desirable:
- Hardware knowledge
Qualifications:
- University degree in Computer Science or equivalent.
- Linux Knowledge, ideally using RedHat Enterprise Linux.
- ITIL certification will be desirable.
Language Skills:
ESO is an international organization where the official language is English. The position requires a good command of English and Spanish, reading and writing in both languages is essential.
Remuneration and Contract:
We offer an attractive remuneration package including a competitive salary and educational benefits, as well as financial help in relocating the candidate's family, where applicable. ESO aims to support its 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.
The initial contract is for a two-year term subject to medical clearance and successful completion of the probation period with a possibility of indefinite extension following the two years. The title or grade may be subject to change according to qualification and the number of years of experience.
For further information, please visit https://www.eso.org/public/archives/static/jobs/conditions/brochure-lsm-sp-updated.pdf
Duty Station:
Paranal Observatory, located 120 km south of the city of Antofagasta, Chile. The nominal working schedule will be 8 days on duty and 6 days off duty (8x6) with accommodation provided on site during the shifts.
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 https://recruitment.eso.org/. Your application should be in English and include your curriculum vitae (CV) and a letter of motivation. All interviews will be conducted in English.
Closing date for applications: 7 September 2026
ESO Values:
An important element in any successful employment relationship is harmony in values between an organisation and its people.
The ESO values are:
SO 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.
Nationality
No nationality is in principle excluded from employment at ESO. However, non-Chilean applicants must hold a valid Chilean permanent residence at the time of application.
ESO is committed to equal opportunities. The post is equally open to suitably qualified candidates irrespective of gender, age, disability, sexual orientation, ethnicity, or religion.