On-Site IT and Software Technician

CTAO; Santa Cruz de la Palma; On-site; EUR 45,000 - 65,000; Full time

Job summary

CTAO-North Station seeks an On-Site IT and Software Technician in La Palma to maintain the telescope network software environment and monitoring systems for the Large-Sized Telescopes. Work includes on-site IT network maintenance and software upkeep in a high-availability astronomical setting.

You will collaborate with IKC partners and the LST Collaboration, contribute to IT documentation, and help define maintenance strategies to improve efficiency and availability of observatory IT systems.

Qualifications

• IT degree or equivalent experience.
• 2+ years maintaining networks, IT infra, remote connections, data centers.
• Familiarity with Unix/Linux server administration and scripting.
• Strong Python and scripting skills; networking and databases knowledge advantageous.

Responsibilities

• Maintain telescope network and monitoring software environments.
• On-site optimisation of monitoring software for LSTs.
• Develop tools for telescope operation and maintenance.
• Administer web servers and keep IT documentation up to date.
• Define maintenance processes for observatory IT systems.
• Assist integration of MSTs and future instruments into IT infrastructure.

Skills

Unix/Linux admin

Python scripting

Networking fundamentals

Team collaboration

Communication in English

Education

CFGS or equivalent IT degree

Tools

MySQL

MariaDB

PostgreSQL

MongoDB

Job description

To strengthen its CTAO-North array team in La Palma, Spain, the CTAO is seeking an On-Site IT and Software Technician to work on the maintenance of the telescope network software environment and monitoring software of the Large-Sized Telescopes (LSTs), in particular during the first two years, and then to work on the maintenance and operation of the Observatory's on-site IT network and maintain its software. The On-Site IT Technician and Software Maintainer will collaborate closely with CTAO In-Kind Contribution (IKC) partner the LST Collaboration, as well as the Central Organisation Computing Groups.

Key Responsibilities:

• Support the maintenance of the network and software environment of the telescope control and monitoring software of the LSTs.
• On-site optimisation of the monitoring software of the LSTs.
• Help in creating software tools for telescope operation and maintenance.
• Webserver administration .
• Contribute to keeping the IT documentation (manuals, checklists, etc) updated.
• Contribute to the definition of the processes and procedures for the future technical operation and maintenance of the Observatory's IT systems.
• As the Medium-Sized Telescopes (MSTs) and other auxiliary instrumentation are added to the Observatory in the future, participate in their integration into existing IT infrastructure and network and support the issuance of relevant operations and maintenance documentation.
• Assist the IKC partners in questions of onsite network and remote access.
• Perform troubleshooting tasks, detect and diagnose any problems found, communicate with other members of the technical team, and implement the resolution.
• Use the maintenance software of CTAO to document and track technical problems and their solution.
• After provisional acceptance of the CTAO telescopes, plan and perform the maintenance of the IT systems.
• Participate in the definition of maintenance strategies to increase the efficiency and the availability of the technical systems of the Observatory.
• Strictly adhere to safety protocols and procedures to ensure the well-being of personnel and equipment.
• Support the CTAO scientific community on authentication and access issues to CTAO resources.
• Participate in the transition of the data centre from LST-1 to the CTAO Operations building.
• Participate in integration and commissioning of the IT infrastructure in the CTAO-North operations building.
• Perform maintenance of the operations building data centre and related network infrastructure.

Qualifications and Experience:

• As a minimum, IT related degree for a technical college (Ciclo Formativo de Grado Superior (CFGS) or another relevant field, or equivalent experience.
• More than two years of experience in the maintenance and operation of networks, IT infrastructure, remote connections and data centres. Experience at astronomical telescopes and instrumentation as well as on monitoring software is an advantage.
• Familiarity with Unix and Linux server administration, common computing software, and operating systems.
• Solid knowledge of python and scripting languages.
• Solid networking foundation: switching, routing, VLANs, firewalls; familiarity with fibre and wireless basics.
• Familiarity with databases and their manipulations (MySQL, MariaDB, PostgreSQL, MongoDB) is an advantage.
• Familiarity with enterprise identity and federated identity concepts is an advantage.
• Valid driver's license, and the ability to drive manual transmission, AWD vehicles on mountain roads.
• Flexibility to work outside regular working hours, during the weekends and holidays, as required.
• Strong systematic and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to work effectively both solo and as part of a team.
• Excellent communication skills in English, both oral and written. Command of the Spanish language is an advantage.
• The role involves work in data centre and telescope environments, including lifting and handling rack-mounted equipment.

Reporting to

CTAO-North Station Manager

Workplace

CTAO-North Site including the Observatorio Roque de los Muchachos (ORM) at 2,200 m a.s.l. and in the CTAO office at sea level on the island of La Palma, located in the Canary Islands, Spain. Occasional travels may be required.

Deadline for Applications: 22 November 2026.

For more information about the CTAO, visit www.ctao.org. For more information on the advertised position, please contact [e-mail].

Applications are accepted and evaluated without distinction on any grounds of gender, race, colour, ethnic or social origin, genetic features, language, religion or belief, political or any other opinion, membership of a national minority, gender identity, property, birth, disability, age or sexual orientation.