Systems Engineer or Physicist (m/f/d) | Photonics Part-time

Systems Engineer or Physicist (m/f/d) | Photonics

The Max Planck Institute for Astronomy (MPIA) is one of the world's leading astrophysics research institutes, with around 350 employees. To support the project management team for the ANDES project, we are looking for a Systems Engineer or Physicist (m/f/d), Ref. 411 with experience in fiber optics technology for use in astronomical instruments.

The position is initially limited to 4 years.

The goal of ANDES is to provide high-resolution spectroscopy for the Extremely Large Telescope (ELT), which is currently being completed in Chile, across the entire visual to infrared wavelength range. To this end, MPIA will build a cryogenic, fiber-fed K-band spectrograph (wavelength 1.95 – 2.45 um), and the team is looking for reinforcement to create the final design of the spectrograph's fiber coupling module.

Your tasks

• Development of a fiber coupling module for a near-infrared spectrograph for the ELT
• Definition and planning of the system engineering tasks for the coupling module
• Design and development of the system or subsystems
• Development of detailed instrument requirements in collaboration with specialist engineers/partners and/or through independent analysis/simulation.
• Structuring the instrument into components
• Defining and describing the interfaces between internal and external components
• Creation of system budgets
• System verification and, to a limited extent, validation to ensure that requirements have been met
• Preparation of documentation
• Creating tender documents in collaboration with specialist engineers
• Monitoring external commissions

Your profile

• Completed technical or scientific degree with at least a master's degree
• Knowledge of the application of fiber optic technology in astronomical instruments
• Knowledge of astronomical instrumentation and the current astronomical project landscape is an advantage
• Knowledge of technical optics, technical design, and astronomical instrument construction would be an advantage
• Knowledge of model-based system development methods would be an advantage
• Experience in international collaboration is an advantage
• Willingness to work cooperatively in a team
• Good written and spoken English skills
• Ability to work in a team, work independently, and a high degree of commitment, reliability, and flexibility

Our offer

You can expect an interesting and varied range of tasks with responsible activities in an international working environment. Taking into account qualifications and personal experience, remuneration in accordance with the collective agreement for the public sector (TVöD) is provided starting at pay grade EG 12. Social benefits will be provided as in the public sector.

The Max Planck Society aims to increase the proportion of women in areas in which they are underrepresented. Women are therefore expressly encouraged to apply. The Max Planck Society promotes professional equality between women and men. A good work-life balance is important to us at the institute. We offer our employees family-friendly working hours and support them in finding suitable childcare facilities. The Max Planck Society has set itself the goal of employing more people with severe disabilities. Applications from people with severe disabilities are expressly welcome. If you have any questions about severe disabilities, please contact sbv@mpia.de. For questions about equal opportunities, please contact equality@mpia.de.

Have we sparked your interest? Then we look forward to receiving your complete application. Please apply by March 23, 2026, exclusively via our online application portal.

For inquiries, please contact Wolfgang Gässler.