ALMA Electrical Maintenance Engineer

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The European Organisation for Astronomical Research in the Southern Hemisphere (ESO) is the foremost intergovernmental astronomy organisation in Europe and the world's most productive ground-based astronomical observatory. ESO carries out an ambitious programme focused on the design, construction and operation of powerful ground-based observing facilities enabling astronomers to make important scientific discoveries.

ESO operates three unique world-class observing sites in northern Chile: La Silla, Paranal and Chajnantor (home to ALMA), and the ESO Headquarters are located in Garching, near Munich, Germany.

At Paranal, ESO operates the Very Large Telescope, the world's most advanced visible-light astronomical observatory, and will host and operate the southern array of the Cherenkov Telescope Array, the world's largest and most sensitive high energy gamma-ray observatory. ESO is a major partner in ALMA. On Cerro Armazones, ESO is building the 39-metre Extremely Large Telescope (ELT), which will become "the world's biggest eye on the sky" and whose operations will be fully integrated into the Paranal Observatory.

To fulfil the roles and responsibilities of the ESO ALMA Support Centre (EASC), in collaboration with the Directorate of Operation at its Headquarters in Garching, near Munich, Germany, ESO is advertising the position of

We are seeking an Electrical Maintenance Engineer to join our team with a minimum of three (3) years of relevant work experience. You will act as the off-site technical lead, coordinating and supporting off-site maintenance activities for ESO deliverables to the ALMA Observatory. You will also be responsible for proposing and managing obsolescence mitigation and upgrade projects, providing or coordinating training and support to ALMA Observatory teams, identifying and implementing improvements to weaker systems.

Main Duties and Responsibilities:

Your main tasks include:

• Review maintenance records and obsolescence risks in antenna power distribution and ALMA power generation/distribution; propose and implement mitigation and upgrade strategies.
• Deliver tier 3 maintenance, remote diagnostics, troubleshooting, and real time guidance for Antenna and ALMA power systems to on-site teams in Chile.
• Investigate faults in antenna power distribution and ALMA power generation/distribution systems, identify root causes, and recommend corrective actions to prevent recurrence.
• Work with engineers at ALMA Observatory, at ESO, and with external contractors on integration, verification, and commissioning of retrofits and new installations in Antenna and ALMA power systems.
• Prepare technical documentation, Statements of Work, manuals, and training materials; maintain compliance records
• Keep ALMA Electrical and EMC standards up to date and, possibly, aligned with the ESO standards.
• Liaise with suppliers and service providers; support technical reviews and deliver detailed reports to ATT Head and project stakeholders on Antenna and ALMA power deliverables.
• Optimize troubleshooting procedures, improve preventive maintenance plans, and support implementation of monitoring systems for antenna and ALMA power distribution.
• Analyse operational data trends to detect early faults, monitor voltage fluctuations, load balancing, and power factor remotely, and support grid expansion/load distribution planning for ALMA.
• Forecast spare parts needs, track obsolescence and research modern alternatives for aging components in Antenna and ALMA power systems.
• Conduct video conferencing sessions to guide technicians or review incident reports.

Reports to:

Head of the ALMA Technical Team (EASC/ATT) in the ESO Directorate of Operations.

Key Competences and Experience:

Essential Competences and Experience:

• Proven experience in commissioning and/or maintenance of electrical power plants, with emphasis on power generation and distribution systems.
• Strong background in large scale power infrastructure.
• Demonstrated ability to perform advanced diagnostics, failure analysis, and preventive maintenance planning.
• Experience coordinating with international teams, contractors, and vendors for complex electrical upgrades and commissioning.
• Skilled in preparing technical documentation, compliance records, and training materials for engineers and technicians.
• Familiarity with industry standards, EMC requirements, and regulatory frameworks for electrical systems.
• Excellent communication skills for remote support, stakeholder reporting, and collaborative troubleshooting.
• Problem solving and critical thinking

Desirable Competences and Experience:

• Familiarity with modern sustainable technologies and their integration into large scale electrical infrastructure.
• Ability to evaluate upgrade paths and compatibility of renewable solutions with existing systems.

Qualifications:

Essential educational level

Master's degree in electrical engineering (or equivalent). Minimum 3 years of relevant working experience.

The position requires a strong command of the English language. Spanish language skills 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:

The position is based at the ESO headquarters in Garching bei Muenchen, Germany. The position requires at least 20% of the time spent at the ALMA Operations Facility and Array Operations Site (5000m above sea level), on a yearly basis. It will be necessary on first taking up the appointment to spend between 3 and 6 months at the ALMA site in Chile which will be managed in accordance with the applicable rules and regulations. This may also be necessary in subsequent years.

Application:

If you are interested in working in areas of frontline science and technology and in a stimulating international environment, please visit for further details.

Applicants are invited to apply online at . Applications must be completed in English and should include a motivation letter and CV. Within your CV, please provide the names and contact details of three persons familiar with your work and willing to provide a recommendation letter upon request. Referees will not be contacted without your prior consent.

Deadline for applications is 14 February 2026.

Interviews are expected to start soon after this date.

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.

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.