Mechanical Engineer

The successful applicant will be part of the Mechanical Engineering Group within the Maintenance, Support and Engineering (MSE) Department at the Paranal site of the La Silla Paranal Observatory (LPO). The MSE Department of the Paranal Observatory with a workforce of 80 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. Astronomical instruments are large, complex facilities involving advanced technologies in the fields of optics, precision mechanics, electronics, cryogenics, detector acquisition systems and software. In the future, the ELT will integrate the family of telescopes to be operated as part of the Paranal Observatory. See the ESO engineers podcast at: https://www.eso.org/public/videos/esocast186a/

The Paranal Mechanical Engineering (PME) group is comprised of 18 engineers and technicians and is responsible for:

• Maintain and ensure the availability of all mechanical equipment of the Paranal Observatory (except Telescope Instruments), all cooling equipment (except Telescope Instruments cryogenics parts), large handling equipment, production of mechanical pieces, movement/lift of heavy equipment, and work package management of outsourced contract for mechanical services.
• Define, design and implement upgrades related to improvements on the above-mentioned equipment, including management of outsourced resources eventually contracted for such improvements.
• Support to other groups like Instrumentation, Optics and Electronics & Electrical groups in their fields of expertise, like Instrument movement, coaters operations and maintenance, power generation and other interdisciplinary projects in collaboration with project teams for integration and testing of new equipment.

Main Duties and Responsibilities:

The selected candidates will have the following responsibilities: For the assigned system(s):

• Be responsible for all maintenance activities and obsolescence analysis, and perform troubleshooting and repair activities.
• Ensure the availability and performance according to technical specifications.
• Propose change requests and implement them once approved (technical analysis, design, implementation, commissioning, documentation).
• Interact with Head Quarter Experts (In Munich) for new projects and important upgrades.
• Interact with Support and Quality Assurance group for planning, spare parts definition, maintenance plan optimization, documentation and quality control.
• Coordinate mid/long term activities (and short term when on site) of colleagues and contractors.
• Lead root cause analysis, recovery plans and write reports in case of critical failures.
• Coordinate and supervise contractor activities in close coordination with the Outsource Contract Work Package Manager.

Support activities:

• Participation in the daily troubleshooting and corrective maintenance activities.
• Assembly-Integration-Verification of new systems and telescopes, ensuring the transfer of knowledge from project team to the operational team.
• Supports Instrumentation, Optics and Electronics & Electrical Groups in the mechanical field.
• Any critical LPO activities for which mechanical competencies are requested.

Reports to:

Group Leader of the Paranal Mechanical Group.

Experience:

• The candidate has ideally a few years of professional experience (minimum 5 years) in the field of advanced mechanical systems, preferably involving high precision mechanics and/or opto-mechanical systems with knowledge of pneumatic, hydraulics, cooling and/or air conditioning system.
• Field experience and interest for maintenance of mechanical equipment.
• Experience with data analysis to be able to measure performance or troubleshoot problems.
• Experience in telescopes and in a multicultural environment would be an asset.
• Experience in managing small projects would also be valuable.

Key Competences:

• Ability to understand the 'big picture' and the details of complex systems, their interfaces, and their performances.
• Ability to troubleshoot and solve problems under difficult working conditions and with tight deadlines.
• Real interest to learn or apply maintenance and trouble-shooting techniques.
• Hands-on experience, in particular for mechanical assemblies.
• Strong sense of team spirit with the ability to work effectively in a multi-national and multi-cultural environment, promoting the sharing of ideas and opinions, respecting and accepting eventual differences.
• Good self-organization.
• Ability to constructively suggest improvements to work processes.
• Plan effectively and monitor progress of work, deliver results on time and to standards

Qualifications:

University degree in mechanical engineering.

Language Skills:

ESO is an international organization where the official language is English. The position requires proficiency in oral and written communication in English.

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. In the case of contract renewal, the duty station could change, and the type of shift become hybrid since the Observatory is moving toward more remote operations for the future.

Career Path:

The role of Mechanical Engineer is in 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 is July 4, 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.

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, non-Chilean applicants to this role must reside in Chile and/or have a pertinent working permit, according to Chilean regulations at the time of their 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.