Optics Engineer

About the role

The European Organisation for Astronomical Research in the Southern Hemisphere (ESO) is seeking an Optics Engineer for its Maintenance, Support, and Engineering Department at the Paranal Observatory in Chile. The role focuses on the alignment, performance verification, and upkeep of the observatory’s complex optical systems, including telescopes and interferometers.

Key responsibilities

• Align and maintain the optical alignment of the Paranal telescopes and the VLTI interferometer.
• Lead optical performance checks after mirror coatings and critical maintenance, and re‑align systems when required.
• Perform corrective and preventive maintenance to ensure continuous availability of telescope optics.
• Conduct obsolescence analysis and lead root‑cause investigations, producing detailed recovery plans and reports.

Required profile

• Experience with telescope optics, adaptive optics systems, and interferometric instruments.
• Ability to work onsite in a remote observatory environment.
• Strong analytical skills for root‑cause analysis and reporting.

Required skills

• Optical alignment
• Optical performance testing
• Preventive maintenance
• Root cause analysis
• Coating inspection and verification