IT Specialist Automation & Systems Management

European Southern Observatory; Paranal; On-site; CLP 41,420,000 - 55,227,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Relocation assistance

Educational benefits

Job summary

ESO is seeking an early career Computer Engineer to join the IT Operations Chile Group, supporting observatories in Chile and connections to ESO Headquarters in Germany. The role focuses on automated systems administration, infrastructure as code, and container platforms, with collaboration across global teams.

Strong Linux/VMware experience and scripting are required, with English and Spanish language skills.

Qualifications

• Three years of Linux and VMware administration experience.
• Experience with automation/configuration management tools such as Ansible and Git.
• Strong troubleshooting and problem-solving skills.
• Understanding of Containers and Orchestration tools.
• Knowledge of monitoring and observability.
• Scripting for automating tasks using Python and Bash.
• Good command of English and Spanish.

Responsibilities

• Implement and continuously improve automated systems administration in line with IT architecture standards.
• Automate provisioning, configuration, patching and monitoring of IT Infrastructure (Hypervisors, Linux servers, cloud).
• Maintain automation/config management platforms with version control and traceability.
• Monitor system health and automate handling of recurring alerts and remediation tasks.
• Develop and troubleshoot scripts to improve operational efficiency.
• Deploy and operate applications on Linux and container platforms per deployment models.
• Guide and oversee contractors and lead complex issue troubleshooting within architectural standards.

Skills

Linux administration

VMware

Container knowledge

Scripting (Python, Bash)

Monitoring/Observability

Troubleshooting

English and Spanish communication

Education

University degree in Computer Science or equivalent

Tools

Ansible

Git

Red Hat Enterprise Linux

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.

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:

ESO Vitacura Offices in Santiago, Chile. This position involves regular duty travel to the observatory sites in Chile and eventually to the headquarters in Germany.

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, non-Chilean applicants must hold a valid Chilean permanent residence at the time of 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.