Project Managers

At ESO, diversity is one of our greatest strengths. Our Project Management Department brings together a highly international team of about 20 Project Managers from many different backgrounds, disciplines, and walks of life. Managers from the PMD are in charge of a wide variety of projects that expand and strengthen the scientific and operational capabilities of our observatories in Chile. Your role will be to lead the development and construction of either complete instruments or sub-systems as part of ESO's programmes for astronomical instrumentation or technology development for the VLT and the ELT. These developments will enable scientists to answer key questions about the universe like understanding the nature of dark matter, or the study of Earth‑like planets orbiting neighbouring stars. In a very real sense, you will contribute to answering key human questions like where do we come from, how did we get here and are we really alone. Our projects are usually developed in cooperation with a consortium of astronomical institutes and eventually industry but, depending on the nature of the project, internal development of subsystems is also undertaken in‑house. As a result, you will need to be adaptable and able to work with a wide variety of people from a range of backgrounds and across many disciplines. In addition to conducting such projects, you may have the responsibility to further develop and implement, in close cooperation with the Head of Department, elements of wider project management and organisational change, e.g. digital transformation, as exercised at ESO.

ESO recognises the importance of knowledge transfer and continuous professional development and so one of our vacant Project Manager positions could be an ideal opportunity for an early‑career stage professional. Support and training will be provided on the job by other highly experienced Project Managers.

Main Duties and Responsibilities:

• Lead projects to develop and deploy systems, such as scientific instruments and sub‑systems, forming a core project team with the project scientist and project engineer when applicable.
• Accountable for delivering projects to the science community in specifications, in budget and on time.
• To achieve this goal, you will operate within the ESO matrix structure.
• Prepare and manage consortium agreements and industrial contracts.
• Actively carry out stakeholder management within and outside of ESO.
• Provide objectives and feedback for each of your matrixed team members to their nominated line manager in accordance with general procedures and policies.
• Proactively report project progress to Programme Managers within ESO.
• Provide input for reporting to ESO governing bodies.
• Lead teams for Assembly Integration and Test /Verification (AIT/V) in Europe and at Paranal & Armazones in Chile.
• Participate in project reviews in the role of reviewer, secretary or chair.

The above responsibilities are not exhaustive and a flexible approach and willingness to adapt to operational needs are required.

Reports to:

Head of the Project Management Department

Key Competences and Experience:

Essential Competences and Experience

• Demonstrated professional experience (minimum three years) contributing to the development or delivery of instrumentation or optical system projects, including involvement in design, integration, testing, or deployment.
• Demonstrated ability to apply engineering or physics expertise (e.g., opto‑mechanics, electronics, control software, cryogenics) to the development of complex technical systems.
• First‑hand experience with the standard PM scope of tasks, schedule and resource planning, change and risk management, as well as demonstrated ability to build, develop, and lead multi‑disciplinary project teams.
• Demonstrated ability to analyse complex project issues, identify risks or constraints, and implement effective solutions within a PM framework.
• Experience in using diplomatic skills to manage relationships with external consortia and industrial partners, including negotiating solutions and resolving conflicting priorities.
• Ability to monitor the progress of your work and that of the project team, deliver project milestones to agreed deadlines and quality standards, plan activities, contribute to system design and ability to work under pressure.
• Experience working both independently and collaboratively, including taking initiative and contributing effectively as either a team lead or team member.
• Proven ability to collaborate effectively in multidisciplinary and international teams, building constructive working relationships across cultures and technical domains.
• Excellent communication skills with a strong sense for team spirit necessary to work in an international team environment.

Desirable Competences and Experience

• Experience collaborating with industry partners and/or academic or research institutions in the development or delivery of technical projects.
• Demonstrated ability to communicate project issues clearly, evaluate options, and recommend actionable next steps in written reports or presentations.
• Demonstrated track record of proactively acquiring new technical or professional skills relevant to project delivery and possess a proactive mindset towards self‑development.
• Experience in the development, testing or operations of scientific instruments, particularly optical or infrared systems (ground or space‑based).

Qualifications:

Essential educational level

• An advanced university degree in Project Management, Engineering or Physics or a related scientific/technical field.
• A first level university degree in combination with an additional two years of relevant working experience and/or additional technical qualifications will be accepted in lieu of an advanced university degree.

Qualifications and experience which would be an asset

• Formal qualifications or degree in project management.
• Experience with organisational change projects.
• A strong scientific background in a related field.

A very good command of the English language - fluent in oral, reading and writing is essential, and a working knowledge of German or Spanish would be an advantage.

Remuneration and Contract:

We offer an attractive remuneration package including a competitive salary (free of income tax for applicants from ESO member states), comprehensive pension scheme and medical, educational and other social benefits, as well as financial help in relocating your family and support to place your child/children in daycare.

Our Salary Structure

ESO's salary structure is based upon a range of career paths which reflect the nature and level of our jobs. Each career path is made up of two or three grades which are used to further reflect experience.

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(s) subject to individual performance and organisational requirements, 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:

Garching near Munich, Germany with regular duty trips to within Europe and to ESO sites in Chile as required. The role requires frequent travel, including visits to observatory sites at altitudes exceeding 3000 metres, depending on project phase and operational needs.