AIV and Operations Engineer

To strengthen its project team in La Palma (Spain) the CTAO is seeking an

AIV and Operations Engineer

to work on the CTAO-North site initially on the AIV (Assembly Integration and Verification) and commissioning of the sites Large-Sized Telescopes (LST) during the first two years and then to work on the planning and execution of the maintenance operations of the Observatorys telescopes. The AIV team is responsible for the final integration work on the telescopes to prepare them technically for the formal acceptance process. The AIV and Operations Engineer will work closely with the CTAO LST Collaboration and the Central Organisations telescope team.

Key Responsibilities:

• Actively work on integration and verification of the LST telescopes and their subsystems.
• Coordinate the AIV activities of the LST telescopes and work closely with the LST Collaboration and CTAO staff in defining the tasks required to move the telescopes towards provisional acceptance by the CTAO.
• Prepare the required documentation (protocols checklists etc.) for the acceptance tests and processes of the provisional acceptance of the LSTs.
• Contribute to defining the processes procedures and maintenance plans required for the technical operation of the telescope array in preparation for handover to CTAO.
• Perform troubleshooting tasks detect and diagnose any problems found and communicate with other members of the technical team achieving their resolution.
• Use maintenance software to document and track technical problems and their solution.
  
• After provisional acceptance of the CTAO telescopes plan and perform technical support of the telescope and array operation. Be a link between the operations and the maintenance teams to increase the efficiency and the availability of the technical systems of the Observatory.
• After the initial two years as Medium-Sized Telescopes auxiliary instrumentation and the operations building are added to the Observatory participate in their provisional acceptance by the CTAO and support the issuance of the relevant operations and maintenance documentation.
• Strictly adhere to safety protocols and procedures to ensure the well-being of personnel and equipment.

Qualifications and experience:

• University degree in engineering technical physics or other relevant fields or equivalent qualification.
• More than five years of experience of working experience.
• Experience in the AIV commissioning and operation of complex technical and/or scientific systems ideally astronomical telescopes and instrumentation.
• Experience in Python programming use of github/gitlab and Modbus.
• Basic knowledge of OPCUA and PLC programming.
• Familiarity with Unix Linux and common computing software and operation systems.
• Basic knowledge of the maintenance of complex technical systems and ideally experience with the use of CMMS (computerized maintenance management system).
• Valid drivers license in Spain and the ability to drive manual transmission AWD vehicles on mountain roads.
• Flexibility to work outside regular working hours during weekends and holidays as required.
• Strong systematic and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to work effectively both alone and as part of a team.
• Excellent communication skills both oral and written in English. Command of the Spanish language is an advantage.

Workplace: CTAO-North site at the Observatorio Roque de los Muchachos (ORM) at 2.200 m ASL. and at the sea-level CTAO office on the island of La Palma located in the Canary Islands Spain. Occasional travels to the CTAO headquarters in Bologna Italy or to the location of in-kind contributor teams may be required.

Contract:
This position is open-term full-time and is funded for the duration of the CTAO construction and operation project. Contractual details and salary are subject to negotiation.

Please apply on BambooHR.

Deadline for applications:17 May 2026

For more information about the CTAO visit. For more information on the advertised position please contact.

Applications are accepted and evaluated without distinction on any grounds of gender race colour ethnic or social origin genetic features language religion or belief political or any other opinion membership of a national minority gender identity property birth disability age or sexual orientation.

Required Experience:

IC