Software Engineer in Space Instrumentation

The IWF is looking for a talented and experienced candidate interested in software development and maintenance for various applications in space instrumentation as well as support for its AI/ML activities. The IWF space instrumentation activities focus on developing on-board computers, particle spectrometers and magnetometers. Active mission involvements are the joint ESA/JAXA double probe BepiColombo, ESA's PLATO mission, which is designed to discover and characterize Earth-like exoplanets and ESA's Comet Interceptor aiming on the first close-up exploration of a pristine, dynamically new comet. The IWF actively implements ML/AI as new technology and tool across all its research groups.

Your Tasks

• Ground-support software for the testing of space-qualified instruments: maintenance and development, remote/automated commanding and monitoring, data processing and data visualization.
• Data processing pipelines for ESA space missions: maintenance and operation, incl. leading the completion of the IWF particle spectrometer pipeline on board BepiColombo.
• AI/ML operational project support in form of data engineering and preprocessing as well as test, deployment and maintenance of, for example, a self-contained, local and autonomous ChatBot framework.
• Maintenance and further development of software for the control of test facilities (e.g. thermal chamber) and the management of the internal database for of space-qualified EEE parts.
• Contributing to IT user support.

• Master degree or Engineering diploma in electrical, computer or software engineering.
• Several years of experience in developing C# and Python software that ideally relates to one or more subject areas defined in the tasks. Additionally, Java experiences would be an asset.
• Experience with Windows and Linux operating systems and related network integration.
• Data engineering experiences will be an asset.
• Strong problem-solving and communication skills, ability to work in a team, adaptability, interest in continuous learning and strong sense of responsibility as part of our interdisciplinary IWF team.
• Proficiency in English language (spoken and written) is required, and achievinga good level of spoken German will be expected.

The appointment begins as early as 1 February 2026 for initially 3 years, with the option for a permanent position afterwards. We offer an annual gross salary of € 56.764,68, according to the collective agreement of the Austrian Academy of Sciences (grade N 4/2). Depending on experiences, the salary may be negotiable.