IT Specialist – Networks

We are looking for an IT Specialist, providing expertise to ESO Projects, programmes and collaborations, all this ensuring the continuous operation of our network environment, including the observatory sites and their connectivity with our sites in Santiago, Chile and Munich, Germany.

The IT Department at ESO has a team of specialists from multiple countries, performing its work in a real international environment, you will have the opportunity to integrate into this team, and evolve with the evolution of technologies to support the most advanced and ambitious astronomy initiatives in the world, among them ESO Paranal, ESO ELT and multiple collaboration projects with institutions from all over the world. You will be designing, implementing, maintaining and supporting network infrastructure critical for the success of these initiatives, participating in the growth and evolution of these initiatives.

The IT Specialist for Networks is part of the IT Group in Chile working in close collaboration with the La Silla, and Paranal Observatory Departments, the IT Group in Garching and external service providers.

Main Duties and Responsibilities:

• Design, organise, produce, deliver, and monitor the IT Network Infrastructure to support the operation of ESOs Astronomy projects.
• Take responsibility for all aspects of Service delivery for your appointed IT Services.
• Provide technical guidance to an outsourced team focused on delivering technical services, in Networks design, operation and administration for complex scientific instruments.
• Identify and document user requirements and collaborate with your colleagues to propose and provide solutions for these requirements.
• Managing Network obsolescence, including the replacement of old infrastructure for better and optimized solutions.
• Automating the systems administration for these environments, while managing the obsolescence of infrastructure and providing flexible solutions for the requirements of ESO Projects.
• Lead or contribute to IT projects.

The position will be focused on the following technical experience and skills:

• Certified Cisco Network Specialist, being certified as CCNP Enterprise and with desirable certifications as CCNP Design and CCNP Cyber Operations.
• Experience in network routing technologies such as IPv4/IPv6, OSPF, BGP, QoS, VPN, Policy Based Routing
• Experience in network security, based on Cisco Firewalls technologies (Cisco ASA, Cisco Firepower); security and authorization solutions (Cisco ISE, IPSec, RADIUS, TACACS+)
• Experience implementing Enterprise grade Wireless Technologies, integrating Wireless Lan Controllers, Access points and 802.1x authentication.
• Capability to design and understand the physical and layer 2 implementation of network technologies, including the use of cabling (both fibre and copper), media converters, CWDM and other physical layer technologies.
• Troubleshooting of complex network issues in LAN and WAN environments.

Additionally, this person will be responsible for guiding and overseeing the work of contract for the implementation and support of these technologies in a 24x7 service delivery, with the capability to guide the troubleshooting of complex networking issues and designing and implementing the solutions to the problems identified.

Reports to:

Head of IT Group Chile of the Information Technology Department within the Directorate of Engineering.

Key competences and Experience:

Essential:

• At least five years of experience in the field, specifically in network operations and network project support.
• Cisco certification as CCNP, focused on campus and datacentre solutions.
• Managing outsourced projects and providing support and troubleshooting using outsourced resources.
• Service oriented attitude, excellent communication skills and aptitude for working in a multi-cultural team are essential.
• A good command of English language (most internal meetings are performed in English) as well as good English documentation skills are required.
• Strong troubleshooting skills.

Desirable:

• Preparation and management of maintenance contracts and hardware provision contracts.
• Experience on Video Conferencing and Phone systems.

Qualifications:

• University degree in Computer Science or equivalent.
• Cisco Networking (CCNP) certificate is also required.
• ITIL certification will be desirable.

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 termsubject 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.

Duty Station:

ESO premises in Vitacura, Santiago de Chile, and the Paranal Observatory, located 120 km south of the city of Antofagasta, Chile. The working schedule will be 75% in Vitacura, with 5x2 shifts, and 25% at the Paranal Observatory with 5x2 shifts, with the option of mobile working within our corresponding framework. These percentages may vary depending on operational requirements, so some flexibility is expected.

Career Path:

This position has been assessed to be in Career path IV.

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://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. All interviews will be conducted in English.

Deadline for applications is 21 February 2025.

Interviews are expected to start soon after the deadline 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 excluded, however non-Chilean applicants must have the pertinent working permit according to Chilean regulations, at the time of the application. The post is equally open to suitably qualified candidates irrespective of gender, age, disability, sexual orientation, ethnicity or religion.