Software Engineer (Instrument Control)

We are an intergovernmental organisation established in 1962 supported by 16 Member States (Austria, Belgium, Czechia, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, the Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and the United Kingdom), our host country Chile and strategic partners. ESO brings together over 750 staff from more than 30 countries, and countless more collaborators worldwide, all driven by the passion to build the best telescopes, serve the community and benefit society. We are honoured by the privilege to serve more than 22 000 users from over 130 different countries with excellent infrastructure, services, technologies and data.

We are looking for one or two software engineers 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. Then main task is to develop and maintain instrument control software (frameworks) supporting the Instrumentation Programme, as well as following the construction of instruments in state-of-the-art research facilities for ESO's observatories in Chile by national and international institutions (Consortiums).

Key Competencies

You have worked at least 3 years in software development with C++ and/or Python under Linux, ideally implementing hardwar e control in distributed control systems. You are familiar with modern software development environments and a modern tool chain. You will be member of the team implementing software for instrument control including hardware control for scientific infrared and optical detectors systems and motorized functions, along with highlevel coordination software and graphical interfaces. You will collaborate closely with various ESO project teams in an international and multi-cultural environment, with a particular focus on the ESO instrumentation programme. Your responsibilities will include designing, implementing, testing, and optimizing control systems for projects within this programme. Additionally, you may follow one or more industry contracts or instrument projects, providing technical support, participating in reviews, verifying code quality, conducting tests, and contributing to acceptance testing and on-site commissioning.

Good interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with multidisciplinary teams and external project partners, are essential.

Ideally, you are familiar with design and implementation of scientific detector software or have experience with instrument development for astronomy projects. If you hold a degree in Electronic Engineering or a related field, you are encouraged to apply. The ideal candidate will have experience with electronics and control software, together with an understanding of scientific instrumentation and the operating principles of optical and scientific detectors.

Reports to:

The head of the Instrument Control Software group (CINS).

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 (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.

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