It Specialist Automation & Systems Management

European Southern Observatory; Antofagasta; On-site; CLP 10,000,000 - 20,000,000; Full time

Job summary

European Southern Observatory in Chile seeks an early career Computer Engineer to join IT Operations. You will ensure reliable, automated operation of Observatory systems at Paranal and ELT sites, collaborating with global teams to implement infrastructure as code, monitoring, and configuration management.

The role emphasizes Linux administration, VMware, and container platforms, with scripting in Python/Bash and strong English communication.

Qualifications

• Three years of experience in Linux and VMware based systems using automation and configuration management tools (Ansible, Git).
• Strong troubleshooting skills and ability to work on a multicultural team.
• English proficiency for documentation and meetings; Spanish proficiency beneficial.

Responsibilities

• Implement and improve automated systems administration practices aligned with IT architecture standards.
• Automate provisioning, configuration, patching and monitoring of IT infrastructure (Hypervisors, Linux servers, cloud) with infrastructure as code.
• Maintain automation platforms, ensure version control and traceability of changes.
• Monitor system health and automate alert handling and remediation tasks.
• Develop, maintain and troubleshoot scripts to improve operational efficiency.
• Deploy and operate applications on Linux and container platforms according to standards.
• Guide and oversee contractors and lead troubleshooting of complex issues within architectural standards.

Skills

Linux administration

VMware

Ansible

Git

Scripting (Python/Bash)

Containers

Orchestration

English

Education

University degree in Computer Science or equivalent

Tools

Docker

Kubernetes

Job description

We are looking for an early career Computer Engineer with residence in Chile, who will work on ESO IT Operations, Projects, programmes and collaborations, ensuring the continuous work of our systems environment, in particular our Observatory sites in Chile and their connection to ESO Headquarters in Germany.

ESO IT Department has a diverse team of engineers from multiple countries and backgrounds performing their work in an international environment focused on evolving IT technologies to support the most advanced astronomy initiatives in the world. In Chile, the IT Department supports the ESO observatories, including ESO Paranal and ESO ELT and multiple collaboration projects with institutions from all over the world.

The Automation & Systems Management engineer is part of the IT Operations Chile Group working in close collaboration with the La Silla Paranal Observatory departments, the IT Department team in Garching and external service providers. The primary objective of this role is to ensure reliable, secure, automated operation of the systems environment in alignment with ESO IT standards, architectural principles, and approved technology roadmaps. The engineer is responsible for implementing and maintaining automated systems administration practices, with a strong focus on infrastructure as code, configuration management, monitoring and life cycle management.

Main Duties and Responsibilities:

• Implement and continuously improve automated systems administration practices in alignment with approved IT architecture standards and operational procedures
• Automate provisioning, configuration, patching and monitoring of IT Infrastructure including Hypervisors, Linux-based Servers and approved cloud environment, using standardised tools and infrastructure as code practices.
• Maintain and operate approved automation and configuration management platforms, ensuring reliability, version control and traceability of changes.
• Monitor systems health and performance and automate the handling of recurring operational alerts and routine remediation tasks appropriate to the different systems.
• Develop, maintain, and troubleshoot scripts to support operational efficiency and reduce manual intervention.
• Deploy and operate applications on Linux-based and approved container platforms according to established platform standards and documented deployment models.

Additionally, you will be responsible for guiding and overseeing the work of contractors for the implementation and support of these technologies and for leading the troubleshooting of complex issues while designing and implementing operational remediation measures within approved architectural standards.

Reports to:

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

Key competences and Experience

Essential:

• Service oriented attitude, excellent communication skills to work on a multicultural team, and ability to work on projects with multiple stakeholders.
• Three years of experience in the field: administration of Linux and VMware based systems using automation and configuration management tools, such as Ansible and Git.
• Strong troubleshooting skills.
• Understanding of Containers and Orchestration tools.
• Knowledge of monitoring and observability.
• Scripting for automating tasks using Python and Bash
• A good command of English and Spanish language (most internal meetings are performed in English) as well as good English documentation skills.

Desirable:

• Infrastructure as a service in cloud environments and infrastructure deployment through Infrastructure as Code.
• Understanding of databases.
• Understanding of secret management tools
• Source code management using Git.
• Contribution to the preparation of service provision contracts.
• DevOps experience

Qualifications:

• University degree in Computer Science or equivalent.
• Linux Knowledge, ideally using RedHat Enterprise Linux.
• 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.