Job Description

The Mechanical Engineer II works as part of the Infrastructure Maintenance Group (IMG) within the ALMA Department of Engineering and provides professional mechanical engineering support for infrastructure assets and systems under IMG responsibility.

The position is responsible for independently performing engineering analysis, troubleshooting, maintenance and reliability engineering, and technical improvement activities within an assigned technical scope. This includes supporting the availability and reliability of assets, investigating technical problems and root causes, assessing technical and lifecycle risks, contributing to the development and improvement of maintenance plans, and supporting the implementation of corrective, preventive and predictive maintenance strategies.

The Mechanical Engineer II takes responsibility for defined engineering activities associated with assigned systems, contribute with technical support on the Engineers team initiatives, coordinates technical work with supervisors, technicians, other ADE groups, contractors and relevant external parties. The position may lead defined technical investigations and testing activities, and coordinate assigned improvement, renewal or obsolescence activities under general direction.

The position does not have line-management responsibility and is not responsible for the daily supervision of maintenance personnel. However, it is expected to provide engineering expertise and technical support to supervisors and technicians and to contribute actively to the safe, reliable and cost-effective operation of IMG assets.

The successful candidate will report to the IMG Specialists Lead & Deputy Manager.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

The successful candidate will be responsible for, but not limited to:

• Asset Reliability and Engineering Support: Provide mechanical engineering support for assigned infrastructure assets and systems to maintain and improve their availability, reliability, safety and performance.
• Technical Diagnosis and Problem Solving: Perform engineering analysis, root-cause investigations, support on troubleshooting for equipment failures and performance issues, and develop technically sound corrective actions and recommendations.
• Maintenance Engineering: Support the development, review and improvement of preventive, predictive and corrective maintenance plans based on equipment condition, performance, criticality, reliability and operational experience.
• Assigned Systems Engineering Support: Take responsibility for defined engineering activities associated with assigned systems or equipment, maintaining appropriate knowledge of their condition, performance, risks and maintenance requirements.
• Reliability, Risk and Lifecycle Management: Monitor equipment performance, identify reliability and lifecycle issues, assess technical risks, and recommend appropriate mitigation, renewal or obsolescence actions.
• Testing and Verification: Develop and execute technical tests, inspections and verification procedures as required to diagnose problems, evaluate equipment performance, or verify compliance with technical and operational requirements.
• Technical Improvements and Projects: Develop and coordinate defined technical improvement, replacement, renewal or obsolescence activities within the assigned scope, and lead such activities when assigned, in coordination with relevant stakeholders.
• Technical Specifications and Procurement: Develop or support technical specifications for equipment, spare parts and technical services; participate in technical evaluations; and provide engineering support throughout the procurement and acceptance process.
• Technical Coordination: Coordinate engineering activities with IMG supervisors and technicians, other ADE groups, contractors, suppliers and other relevant stakeholders. Act as a technical point of contact for assigned activities when required.
• Acceptance and Commissioning: Support technical acceptance, commissioning and verification of new, repaired, replaced or modified equipment and systems.
• Engineering Documentation: Maintain and improve technical documentation, maintenance records, procedures, drawings, specifications, engineering reports and other relevant information in accordance with ALMA processes.
• Safety and Compliance: Ensure that engineering activities under the assigned responsibility consider applicable safety requirements, standards, regulations and ALMA procedures.
• Continuous Improvement: Identify and propose opportunities to improve reliability, maintainability, safety, efficiency, lifecycle cost and maintenance practices, including the appropriate application of new technologies.
• Perform other duties and cross-functional work that might be required.

WORKING CONDITIONS

• The position is based at the ALMA Operations Support Facility (OSF), (2900m) and occasionally at the Array Operations Site (5000m) near San Pedro de Atacama, working an 8x6 shift schedule (8 days of work, followed by 6 days off). Transportation to and from designated pick-up points is provided.
• Physical health compatible with high altitude conditions. A successful High Altitude Medical Exam is a necessary condition of employment.
• Work is typically performed in a research or development environment, both indoors and outdoors.
• Willingness to travel overseas for both short and extended periods for meetings, training, etc. will be required.
• Must work near moving mechanical parts and/or electrical equipment.
• Occasionally required to climb or balance, and stoop, kneeling, crouch.

Deadline for applications: Friday, October 30th, 2026, at 12 pm Chile time.

Requirements

Minimum requirement (must have):

• University degree in Mechanical Engineering or an equivalent engineering discipline relevant to the responsibilities of the position.
• Minimum of 3 years of relevant professional engineering experience.
• Demonstrated experience in maintenance engineering, including preventive, predictive and/or corrective maintenance of mechanical or infrastructure systems.
• Demonstrated ability to perform root cause analysis and technical problem solving.
• Knowledge or experience in one or more areas relevant to IMG responsibilities, such as power generation systems, HVAC, pumps, fire detection and suppression systems, oxygen supply systems, or other industrial infrastructure systems.
• Ability to independently organize and execute defined engineering activities and coordinate effectively with technical teams and stakeholders.
• English: Intermediate-advanced level (B2) or equivalent working proficiency.
• Spanish: Fluent.
• Proficiency with standard office applications and maintenance management systems (CMMS/GMAO).
• Valid Class B driver's license.
• Valid working permit to work in Chile.

Desirable Requirements (an asset if present):

• Experience in asset and maintenance management, availability or reliability analysis.
• Experience in engineering troubleshooting and technical risk assessment.
• Experience in lifecycle, obsolescence or replacement planning.
• Experience in technical specifications, procurement or contractor coordination.
• Experience in engineering improvement projects, commissioning or acceptance activities.
• Experience in product assurance, project management and/or quality management.

Competencies:

• Good interpersonal and communication skills, high ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with employees, cross-functional teams, and other stakeholders related to the role.
• Ability to communicate clearly and concisely in written form.
• Self-motivated, self-organized, active team player, proactive, flexible, and autonomous person.

ALMA Values

An important element in any successful employment relationship is harmony in values between an organization and its people.

The ALMA Values are:

Excellence

Respect and Diversity

Collaboration

Care

Applicants to any ALMA role are asked to reflect on their affinity with these values and advised they may be asked about them if called for an interview.

Este aviso se publica dentro del marco de la Ley N° 21.015, que incentiva la inclusión de personas con discapacidad al mundo laboral.

This notice is published within the framework of Law No. 21.015, which encourages the inclusion of people with disabilities in the world of work.