Optics Engineer

Job Details: 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, 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 (the so‑called \"bintegrated operations\", IOP).

• Align and maintain the optical alignment of the telescopes (and VLTI interferometer)
• Lead and check optical performance of the telescopes after coatings and critical maintenance and realign the systems if necessary.
• Ensure the availability of the telescope optics to minimise technical downtime by performing maintenance activities (corrective and preventive) and obsolescence analysis
• Lead root cause analysis, recovery plans and write related reports and procedures
• Propose and implement change requests (analysis, design, implementation, commissioning, documentation)
• Ensure that the documentation (manuals, procedures, etc.) related to the job are up to date
• Create all missing documents and training necessary for the activities.
• Interact with other system MCO responsible, and with the Support and Quality Assurance group (for planning, spare parts availability, maintenance plan optimisation, documentation and quality control)

• Participate in cross‑discipline performance analysis and maintenance on telescopes.
• Participate to the AIV of new systems and ensure the transfer of knowledge from project to MCO responsible
• Any critical Paranal observatory activities for which your competencies are requested by your manager.

• Preventive and corrective maintenance including troubleshooting large optical systems development and operations of optical systems, used in industrial, scientific or astronomical fields, including optical analysis, by using a variety of engineering tools and standard methodologies.
• Assembly, integration, and verification of optical systems, ideally astronomical (ground or space) telescopes.
• Manufacturing and adjusting optical systems.
• Knowledge and experience, theoretical and practical, in at least three of the following domains will be an asset: optical design and analysis (optical quality and straylight); optical alignment and verification; opto‑mechanical design, analysis, and integration; use of metrology equipment in the field of optics (interferometers, laser trackers, spectrometers); producing coatings (technologies of sputtering, evaporation); active optics and wave‑front sensors.

• Ability to understand the \"big picture\" and the details of complex systems, their interfaces, and their performance.
• Ability to troubleshoot and solve problems under difficult working conditions and with tight deadlines.
• Real interest to learn operational, maintenance and trouble‑shooting strategies and techniques derived from the industry, for example Lean, 5S, MCO.
• Analytical skills to evaluate performance or troubleshoot issues using metrology from various sensors.
• Having a fine grasp of practical work, in particular for optical alignment or AO calibration.
• Strong sense of team spirit with the ability to work effectively in a multi‑national and multi‑cultural environment.
• Good self‑organisation.
• Understanding of work structured in processes and ability to constructively suggest improvements to work processes.
• Plan effectively and monitor progress of work, deliver results on time and to standards.
• Some project management skills and experience would be an asset to execute small improvement projects.

University degree in physics, optics, engineering or astronomy. Specialisation in the field of astronomical instrumentation and/or system engineering, or equivalent, is desirable.

ESO is an international organisation where the official language is English. It is required that the candidate has a good command of written and spoken English. Good knowledge of Spanish would be an asset.

We offer an attractive remuneration package including a competitive salary (tax free), comprehensive pension scheme and medical, educational, and other social benefits, as well as financial help in relocating your family if needed. The contract is for a fixed‑term duration of three years and is subject to medical clearance and the successful completion of the probation period. There may be a possibility of extension(s) subject to individual performance and organisational requirements.

In the first years, the main duty station will be 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 (8×6) with accommodation provided on site. Up to 25% of mobile work is allowed every year.

The induction period might require a working scheme of 5 days on duty and 2 days off (5×2). Once ESO deploys the integrated operations between VLT and ELT, the shift scheme will become hybrid with most of the work off‑site.

Deadline for applications is 5 August 2026.