Software Engineer

Software Engineer

ESO - European Southern Observatory

Garching, Germany

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 APEX), 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. ESO is a major partner in ALMA, the largest astronomical project in existence. And 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.

Due to the need for additional resources associated with the ELT programme, for its Control Software and Engineering Department (CSE), within the Directorate of Engineering (DoE) at its Headquarters in Garching, near Munich, Germany, ESO is advertising the position of a Software Engineer.

We are looking for a software engineer to join the team which is implementing control software for the ELT and its instruments. The CSE department comprises a team of almost 50 engineers organized in 5 groups and is responsible for the definition, design and implementation of complex control systems for ESO's telescopes and instruments. The main effort in CSE is spent for the ELT programme, but CSE is also supporting the other ESO programmes using a matrix organization.

Main Duties and Responsibilities:

• Extension and maintenance of CSE's software development and test environment based on Linux and a large set of mainly open source tools;
• Active contribution to Software Packaging and Deployment management;
• Evaluate new (versions of) tools on their usability and usefulness and actively propose their usage;
• Support the ELT test infrastructure (the so called control model and the optical test bench) consisting of servers and field electronics like PLCs;
• Integration, verification and validation of control software for the ELT developed in house or external;
• Investigation of errors found down to source code level and reporting fault to developers.

Reports to:

The head of the infrastructure and integration group (CISI).

Key Competences and Experience:

Essential:

• Minimum of 3 years of experience in software development;
• Knowledge of standard software development processes, preferred agile or iterative;
• Experience in setting-up, preparing and maintaining SW development and test environments;
• Experience in setting up complex test infrastructure preferably also using field electronics;
• Experience in test and integration of distributed software, especially troubleshooting skills;
• Experience in testing embedded software preferably on real time operating systems;
• Knowledge of at least one programming language out of C, C++ and/or Python to an extent that errors can be identified in the code while debugging;
• Experience with test automation frameworks and/or continuous integration;
• Knowledge of software engineering principles and tools for configuration management, bug reporting etc.;
• Experience in working in a team;
• Curiosity and eagerness to learn.

Desirable:

• Experience in RT Linux;
• Experience in Jenkins, JIRA, Git/Gitlab, Docker, waf;
• Experience in RPM, puppet, nomad;
• Experience in C/C++ and Python;
• Experience in working with PLCs, preferably from Beckhoff and/or Siemens;
• Experience in working in international/multicultural teams.

Qualifications:

• University degree in computer science or equivalent.

Language Skills:

• Excellent command of the English language is essential; a working knowledge of German or Spanish would be an advantage.

Remuneration and Contract:

We offer an attractive remuneration package including a competitive salary (tax free), comprehensive pension scheme and medical, educational and other social benefits, as well as financial help in relocating your family.

The contract is for a fixed term duration of three years, and is subject to successful completion of the probation period. There is 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 (https://www.eso.org/public/jobs/conditions/).

Duty Station: Garching near Munich, Germany with regular duty trips to all ESO sites in Chile.
Career Path: V

Application:

If you are interested in working in areas of frontline science and technology and in a stimulating international environment, please visit http://www.eso.org for further details.

Applicants are invited to apply online. Applications must be completed in English and should include a motivation letter and CV.

Deadline for applications is 16.04.2023.

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.

Diversity:

ESO has established diversity as an important value of the Organisation, is committed to providing an equal opportunities environment and is actively seeking to promote a diverse, equitable and inclusive workforce.

No nationality is in principle excluded, however, recruitment preference will be given to nationals of Australia, Austria, Belgium, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and the United Kingdom irrespective of gender, age, disability, sexual orientation, ethnicity or religion.

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