Electrical Engineer

European Southern Observatory; Paranal; On-site; CLP 54,241,000 - 73,964,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Relocation assistance

On-site accommodation

Comprehensive benefits

Job summary

European Southern Observatory (ESO) seeks an Electrical Engineer for the Electronics and Electrical Group at Paranal to support the MSE Department’s operations and ELT preparation.

You will lead maintenance, upgrades, energy management, and interface with headquarters for integration of new infrastructure and instruments, contributing to high-availability power systems and safety practices across the observatory complex.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering.
• 5+ years of professional experience in electrical engineering projects and maintenance.
• Experience with MV/LV power systems, UPS, and safety regulations.

Responsibilities

• Plan and oversee preventive and corrective maintenance of electrical systems.
• Lead and contribute to electrical engineering projects from definition through design, implementation and commissioning.
• Coordinate with internal teams and HQ for integration of new infrastructure and instruments.
• Develop and monitor energy consumption forecasts and optimize electricity usage.
• Manage electrical service contracts and supervise contractors to ensure quality.

Skills

Electrical engineering

Education

University degree in electrical engineering

Job description

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

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.

Closing date for applications is 25 November 2026

Interviews are expected to start soon after this date.