Head of the Optical Engineering Department

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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 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, 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, 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.

The ESO Optical Engineering Department (OPE), within the Directorate of Engineering (DoE) at its Headquarters in Garching, near Munich, Germany, is advertising the following opportunity:

Head of the Optical Engineering Department

The Optical Engineering Department provides engineering expertise to all ESO projects within the ESO matrix organization, in the areas of optical design for telescopes and instruments, active optics and wavefront control, metrology for telescope alignment, laser guide stars, optical fibre technology, and Assembly, Integration, and Testing (AIT) of optical systems and instruments. In addition, the department manages 900m2 of optical and opto-mechanical integration laboratories at ESO headquarters and supports the observatory in solving optical problems arising in systems in operation.

The successful candidate will dedicate approximately 50% of their time to leading a team of around 22 engineers, physicists, and technicians across three groups, the \’Telescope and Instrument Optics\‘ group, the \’Laser and Photonics group\‘, and the \’Optical Alignment and Metrology group\‘, while also contributing as an optical engineer to one or more ESO projects.

Main Duties and Responsibilities:

• Provide line management and technical leadership, in collaboration with the three group heads, to a team of approximately 22 engineers, physicists, and technicians.
• Develop and implement a departmental strategy that aligns with the overarching DoE strategy and supports the objectives of ESO projects.
• Ensure that the competencies and expertise required to deliver ESO projects within the department\’s engineering domain are available, developed, and maintained.
• Ensure that the department\’s outputs meet the required quality standards and are delivered on time and within budget.
• Lead the department\’s resource allocation process, in consultation with project managers, ensuring a balanced distribution of workload and optimal utilisation of resources and expertise.
• Oversee the performance and development processes within the department, taking individual professional development needs into account during objective setting, and providing staff with appropriate guidance and training.
• Manage the departmental budget effectively and in line with ESO guidelines.
• Take overall responsibility for the optical laboratories, including their operation, maintenance, upgrades, safety, and staff training.
• Define and prioritise relevant internal R&D activities within the department, in alignment with available DoE resources and constraints.
• Promote the adoption of tools, technologies, standards, and processes that support efficient, cost-effective, and innovative engineering solutions for ESO projects.
• Contribute to the development and implementation of the long-term strategy of the Directorate of Engineering.
• Provide expert technical advice to the Director of Engineering in areas related to the department\’s field of expertise.

Reports to:

Director of Engineering.

Key competences and Experience:

The ideal candidate will have at least ten years of professional experience in the field of astronomical optics, along with proven experience in line and/or functional team management.

Applicants for this position should meet the following criteria:

• A demonstrated ability to inspire and motivate teams to achieve organisational goals, while fostering a positive and collaborative working environment aligned with ESO\’s values.
• Excellent communication skills, with the ability to engage effectively at all levels of the organisation and with external stakeholders.
• A strategic mindset, with the capacity to take a long-term perspective and anticipate future developments and trends.
• Strong interpersonal skills, with the ability to build trust and maintain effective working relationships with team members and stakeholders, both internal and external.
• Proven ability to manage and resolve conflicts constructively and effectively.
• A solution-oriented and proactive approach, with a track record of identifying and implementing innovative solutions and technologies.
• The ability to identify, assess, and mitigate risks in both project and operational contexts.

Qualifications:

A university degree at Master\’s level in Optics, Physics, or an engineering discipline related to Photonics is required; a PhD is preferred.

Language Skills:

The position requires a very good command of English (oral and written).

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 may be a possibility of extension(s) subject to individual performance and organisational requirements. 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:

Garching near Munich, Germany, with regular duty travel to the ESO Vitacura Offices in Santiago and to the observatory sites in Chile.

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 17 August 2025.

We have scheduled the initial interviews for mid-September 2025.

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.

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