🇩🇪 Junior Systems Engineer 🛰️ European Southern Observatory (ESO) Job in Garching, Germany ⚙️

The European Southern Observatory (ESO) is hiring a Junior Systems Engineer for its Headquarters in Garching, near Munich, Germany. The role is open to engineering or physics graduates who completed a master's degree or PhD in or after 2024, and applications close on 07 November 2026. At Youth Works Hub, we reviewed the full vacancy (advert no. 2026_0060) and set out below the possible projects, requirements, contract terms and documents you need to apply.

A Systems Engineering Role for Recent Graduates

ESO describes this as an exciting role for recent engineering or physics graduates who are interested in further developing their experience in systems engineering, or in developing towards such a role.

You will work alongside senior engineers on real-world projects in support of the Very Large Telescope (VLT) or the Extremely Large Telescope (ELT). The work can range from new design activities and developing tools through to the maintenance and modification of the existing systems of the VLT or ELT.

Which Project Could You Work On?

The exact project depends on your background and interest. It will be in one of these eight areas:

🛠️ Further development of ESO's Requirements Management Tool

📦 Support for the Configuration & Asset Management of the ELT

🤖 Automation of hardware configuration and documentation management by using AI/ML

✅ Support for the Verification Management of the ELT

📡 Prototyping IoT & Edge Computing to support predictive maintenance

📈 Applying data science to Obsolescence Management in Electronics

🧠 Process Modelling and Knowledge Management by applying Machine Learning

🔭 Reviewing and improving the operation and maintenance of AO instruments at the VLT

Inside the Systems Engineering Department

The position sits in the ESO Systems Engineering Department (SEN), within the Directorate of Engineering (DoE) at the Headquarters in Garching.

👥 The department comprises a team of 30 engineers, distributed over 3 groups

🧩 It provides Systems Engineering expertise to ESO's projects

🏗️ Its work focuses in particular on the development of the Extremely Large Telescope and its sub-systems

🔬 It also covers the design and development of advanced optical and infrared instrumentation for the telescopes of ESO's La Silla-Paranal Observatory

Who You Would Report To

You will report to one of the Group-Heads in the Systems Engineering Department. Which one depends on the project selected.

Experience ESO Is Looking For

🧭 Understanding of the concepts of Systems Engineering

🐍 Depending on the selected project, experience in Python programming, configuration management, data science, requirements management, verification management, machine learning / LLMs or Adaptive Optics

🌐 Experience in international or interdisciplinary teams

Key Competences for the Role

💡 Curiosity and an interest in astronomical instrumentation or large-scale scientific facilities

🎯 A sense of ownership and accountability, with the initiative to independently drive projects to successful completion

🤝 The ability to work both autonomously and constructively within a team

🗓️ The ability to prioritise and manage your own work, delivering high-quality work towards project deadlines

💬 Excellent communication skills, both written and oral

Degree Requirement: Graduated in or After 2024

You need a master's degree in engineering, physics or Applied Sciences, or a PhD, graduated in or after 2024.

English as the Working Language

ESO is an international organisation where the official language is English. The position requires excellent oral and written communication skills in English.

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Paid Associate Contract and Possible Extension

The contract is a Paid Associate contract. The initial term is a fixed duration of one year, with the possibility of one fixed-term extension. Any extension is subject to individual performance and organisational requirements, and is defined in the applicable policies and staff rules and regulations.

The position sits in Career Path III.

Salary, Benefits and Family Support

ESO offers an attractive remuneration package, which includes:

🏦 A competitive salary, free of income tax for applicants from ESO member states

🩺 Medical benefits

📚 Educational benefits and other social benefits

🚚 Financial help in relocating your family

👶 Support to place your child or children in daycare

How ESO Structures Salaries and Careers

ESO's salary structure is based on a range of career paths that reflect the nature and level of its roles. Each career path is made up of two or three grades, which further reflect experience and performance.

Work-Life Balance and Family-Friendly Policies

ESO aims to support members of personnel in maintaining a good balance between their professional and private life. It is also committed to family-friendly support, creating a work environment and policies that allow staff to balance professional and private responsibilities through flexible working arrangements and financial support for families.

Duty Station: Garching Near Munich

🏢 The role is based on-site at ESO in Garching near Munich

📍 Relocation to the duty station area is required

🏡 A mobile working policy allows limited hybrid working for work-life balance purposes

✈️ Occasional travel to scientific institutes and companies within Europe and to the observatories in Chile will be necessary

ESO and Its Observing Sites

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. It carries out an ambitious programme focused on the design, construction and operation of powerful ground-based observing facilities that enable astronomers to make important scientific discoveries.

🏔️ ESO operates three world-class observing sites in northern Chile: La Silla, Paranal and Chajnantor, which is home to ALMA

🌌 At Paranal, ESO operates the Very Large Telescope, the world's most advanced visible-light astronomical observatory

☄️ Paranal will also 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

🪐 On Cerro Armazones, ESO is building the 39-metre Extremely Large Telescope, which will become "the world's biggest eye on the sky"

🏛️ The ESO Headquarters are located in Garching, near Munich, Germany

The Values ESO Expects Applicants to Reflect On

An important element in any successful employment relationship, according to ESO, 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

ESO says these are only possible on the basis of the personal values and attitudes it expects from its employees: respect, integrity, accountability, commitment, collaboration, and clear and open communication. Applicants to any ESO role are asked to reflect on their affinity with these values, and may be asked about them if called for interview.

Diversity at ESO

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

Nationality and Recruitment Preference

No nationality is in principle excluded from employment at ESO. However, recruitment preference will be given to nationals of ESO's Member States, host states and strategic partners, irrespective of gender, age, disability, sexual orientation, ethnicity or religion: Australia, Austria, Belgium, Czechia, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, the Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, the United Kingdom and Chile.

How to Apply

Applications are made online and must be completed in English. They should include:

📄 Curriculum Vitae

✍️ A motivation letter, also mentioning the project you would like to work on and how you would like to contribute to this particular project

📝 A summary of your master's thesis project, indicating the title and the supervisor (maximum one page)

📇 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)

Interviews are expected to start soon after the closing date. Find more roles like this in the Jobs section on Youth Works Hub →.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who can apply for the ESO Junior Systems Engineer job?

The role is aimed at recent engineering or physics graduates. You need a master's degree in engineering, physics or Applied Sciences, or a PhD, graduated in or after 2024, plus an understanding of the concepts of Systems Engineering.

Which projects does the Junior Systems Engineer work on?

The project depends on your background and interest. The eight areas include ESO's Requirements Management Tool, Configuration & Asset Management and Verification Management for the ELT, IoT & Edge Computing prototypes, AI/ML automation, data science, and AO instruments at the VLT.

Do I have to name a project in my application?

Yes. ESO asks you to mention in your motivation letter the project you would like to work on and how you would like to contribute to it.

How long is the ESO Paid Associate contract?

The initial contract is for a fixed term of one year. One fixed-term extension is possible, subject to individual performance and organisational requirements.

Is the salary free of income tax?

ESO states that the competitive salary is free of income tax for applicants from ESO member states. The package also includes medical, educational and other social benefits.

Can this job be done remotely?

No. The role is based on-site at ESO in Garching near Munich and relocation to the duty station area is required. A mobile working policy allows limited hybrid working for work-life balance purposes.

Does the role involve travel?

Yes. Occasional travel to scientific institutes and companies within Europe and to the observatories in Chile will be necessary.

Can applicants from any country apply?

No nationality is in principle excluded from employment at ESO. However, recruitment preference will be given to nationals of its Member States, host states and strategic partners.

What documents are needed for the application?

You need a CV, a motivation letter, a one-page maximum summary of your master's thesis project, and the names and contact details of three persons willing to provide a recommendation letter upon request.