The successful applicant will be an Electrical Engineer in the Electronics and Electrical Group within the MSE Department at the Paranal site of the La Silla Paranal Observatory. In 2028, in order to prepare for the integrated operations with ELT, the Observatory organizational structure will change and be process-based so all engineers will be moved to the new structure, keeping similar roles and responsibilities.

The role is strongly focused on electrical engineering projects and maintenance activities, including the planning, execution, and continuous improvement of preventive and corrective maintenance, as well as the development and implementation of upgrade, obsolescence and expansion projects. The position also supports energy management, while acting as a key interface with ESO headquarters in Garching, Germany, for new instruments and infrastructure projects. The MSE Department, with a workforce of 85 engineers and technicians, provides maintenance and technical support to the four 8m VLT telescopes, to the VLT Interferometer with its auxiliary telescopes, the VST and VISTA survey telescopes and to all instruments available for scientific observations.

The Electronics and Electrical Group is comprised of 16 engineers and technicians and is responsible for all telescope electronics, site electrical distribution and backup power generation, and other miscellaneous systems like the site atmospheric monitoring equipment at the Paranal Observatory. The selected candidate may contribute to the operation and future development of the Extremely Large Telescope (ELT).