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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.
ESO has established diversity as an important value of the Organisation and is committed to providing an equal opportunities environment and is actively seeking to promote a diverse, equitable and inclusive workforce. For further information about working at ESO, see the podcast 'Engineers at ESO' at: https://www.eso.org/public/videos/esocast186a/
Within its Maintenance, Support and Engineering Department (MSE) at the La Silla Paranal Observatory, within the Directorate of Operations, ESO is advertising an international staff member position of
The successful applicant will be an Electrical Engineer in the Electronics and Electrical Group within the MSE Department at the Paranal site of the La Silla Paranal Observatory. In 2028, in order to prepare for the integrated operations with ELT, the Observatory organizational structure will change and be process-based so all engineers will be moved to the new structure, keeping similar roles and responsibilities.
The role is strongly focused on electrical engineering projects and maintenance activities, including the planning, execution, and continuous improvement of preventive and corrective maintenance, as well as the development and implementation of upgrade, obsolescence and expansion projects. The position also supports energy management, while acting as a key interface with ESO headquarters in Garching, Germany, for new instruments and infrastructure projects. The MSE Department, with a workforce of 85 engineers and technicians, provides maintenance and technical support to the four 8m VLT telescopes, to the VLT Interferometer with its auxiliary telescopes, the VST and VISTA survey telescopes and to all instruments available for scientific observations.
The Electronics and Electrical Group is comprised of 16 engineers and technicians and is responsible for all telescope electronics, site electrical distribution and backup power generation, and other miscellaneous systems like the site atmospheric monitoring equipment at the Paranal Observatory. The selected candidate may contribute to the operation and future development of the Extremely Large Telescope (ELT).
Main Duties and Responsibilities:
The selected candidate will have the following main duties:
Electrical Systems Operation and Maintenance
- Plan and oversee preventive and corrective maintenance of electrical systems
- Ensure high availability and reliability of equipment including MV/LV networks, UPS systems, grounding, and power quality
- Perform and support fault analysis, troubleshooting, and root cause investigations
Electrical Projects and Engineering
- Lead and contribute to electrical engineering projects from definition through design, implementation, and commissioning
- Define technical requirements for new systems, upgrades (including normal and UPS supply)
- Coordinate with internal teams and HQ for integration of new infrastructure and instruments
Energy Management
- Develop and monitor energy consumption forecasts
- Optimize electricity usage and contribute to energy efficiency initiatives
- Manage energy billing and cost analysis
Contract and Service Management
- Manage electrical service contracts, including maintenance of critical systems (e.g., PCS)
- Define technical specifications, supervise contractors, and ensure quality of deliverables
Lifecycle and Obsolescence Management
- Develop and implement obsolescence and lifecycle management strategies
- Propose and implement obsolescence mitigation actions
- Assess risks and define upgrade and replacement plans
- Promote system standardization and long-term sustainability
Interface with ESO HQ and Projects
- Act as the technical focal point for HQ-led projects
- Support design reviews, installation, testing, and commissioning phases
Safety and Compliance
- Ensure compliance with electrical safety standards and regulations
- Support risk assessments and safe work practices, including LOTO procedures
Reports to:
The Group Leader of Electronics and Electrical Group
Experience:
The candidate has, ideally, 5 years of professional proven experience in
- Electrical engineering projects (design, installation, commissioning)
- Maintenance of electrical infrastructure in complex or industrial environments
- Power systems (MV/LV), UPS, and power quality
- Contract management and contractor supervision
- Relevant IEC standards and safety regulations
Desirable experience:
- In scientific or large-scale technical facilities
- Knowledge of energy management systems and power quality monitoring
- Experience in lifecycle or asset management strategies
Key Competences:
The candidate should have several of the following competences (technical and soft):
- Team player and ability to collaborate effectively in a multinational and multicultural environment
- Ability to understand complex systems at both system and detail level.
- Analytical and troubleshooting skills.
- Hands-on, structured, and pragmatic working approach.
- Good self-organization and ability to manage priorities.
- Proactive attitude toward continuous improvement.
- Motivation to contribute to a leading international astronomical organization.
Qualifications:
University degree in electrical engineering.
Language Skills:
ESO is an international organization where the official language is English. The position requires excellent oral and written communication skills in English. Spoken Spanish is highly desirable for communication in the day-to day business.
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 the possibility to place your child/children in daycare.
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 subject to individual performance and organisational requirements of the project 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:
Paranal Observatory located 120 km south of the city of Antofagasta, Chile. The working schedule will be 8 days on duty and 6 days off duty (8x6) with accommodation provided on site, after a probation period with the appropriate shift scheme.
Career Path: V
Application:
If you are interested in working in areas of frontline technology and in a stimulating international environment, please visit http://www.eso.org for further details.
Applicants are invited to apply online at http://recruitment.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.
Closing date for applications is 25 November 2026
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.
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.