Open Position Mechanical Engineer – Position in IFAE

About IFAE

The Institut de Física d’Altes Energies (IFAE) is a public consortium of the Generalitat de Catalunya, the Autonomous Government of Catalonia, and the Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB, a public university) whose main objective is to carry out research and to contribute to the research in High Energy Physics, Neutrinos, Observational Cosmology, Gamma Rays, Gravitational ways from a theoretical, experimental and technological point of view. It also makes developments in Medical Physics applications and Quantum Computing technologies. IFAE has the status of a “University Institute" attached to the UAB and its premises are within the campus of the University.

About IFAE’s Technical Division

The Technical Division of IFAE is constituted by a multidisciplinary team with the mission to make the scientist’s projects a reality. We oversee the design and development of the mechanics, electronics, and software for the instrumentation required for each project. We are involved in the ATLAS project at the LHC at CERN, the T2K neutrino experiment in Japan, the MAGIC and the CTA - LST telescopes in La Palma, the Dark Energy Survey project in Chile, the ESA Euclid satellite, the VIRGO and Einstein Telescope Gravitational Waves experiments, the ARRAKIHS ESA mission, among others. We also work at the cutting edge of detector technology developing pixel detectors for High Energy Physics, telescope cameras, R&D in cutting-edge Infrared detector technologies, and detectors for medical imaging and other scientific and industrial fields.

Role

You will participate in the design of instrumentation at IFAE interfacing with the other groups inside the technical division and communicating with the IFAE scientist to understand the needs and perform the mechanical design of the experiments. That will give you opportunity to gain engineering experience, learning first-hand about exotic materials, cryogenics, vacuum, manufacturing techniques, etc.

Key Responsibilities

• Design mechanical pieces and Systems needed for the R&D projects at IFAE (includes instrumentation, detectors, satellite System, telescope Systems, ….)
• Lead complex projects at IFAE in collaboration with other departments (electronics, software, …)
• Compute stresses and or thermal transmission when needed
• Perform structural computations
• Simulate and develop mechanical Systems
• Work in close collaboration with the Mechanical technicians to optimize the fabrication process
• Process purchase orders
• Perform 3D printing activities

Who We’re Looking For

• Mechanical engineering degree
• Experience with CAD/CAE (Solidworks preferable)
• Finite Element analysis
• Engineering drawing / GD&T
• Manufacturing Process Knowledge
• Ability to grasp core requirements, absorb new ideas apply novel solutions
• Ability and motivation to research, prototype and refine designs to solve engineering challenges
• Ability to create functional designs and practical hands
• Proactive attitude, meticulous, organised, self-confident
• Fluent in English and good communication skills
• Ability to work in a team
• Ability to learn fast in new areas related to the materials and mechanics.

Evaluation process

The process of evaluation and selection guarantees the principles of competition, publicity and transparency. The recruitment of fellows consists in an open selection and the evaluation of candidates will be carried out according to the criteria of the call:

• Degree and academic record; 20 points
• Professional experience; 30 points
• Technical skills; 30 points
• Motivation and interest; 20 points

What we offer

The successful candidate will have:

• Indefinite contract ACT
• Full time contract (40 hours/week).
• IFAE Professional category: Engineer Junior
• Salary will be commensurate with experience and qualifications within the corresponding category range

Reserve List

The selection process will result in the creation of a talent pool intended to meet any future recruitment needs that may arise. This pool will be made up of candidates who have successfully completed the selection process, and the order of call will be determined by the final score obtained following the corresponding evaluation.

Application submission

Interested candidates should submit the application to padilla@ifae.es , otger@ifae.es and rrhh@ifae.es with the reference 2026-01_TD_Mechanical Engineer. The position will stay open until filled. The application should include:

• Your CV (max 4 pages)
• Letter of Motivation (1 page)
• Contact details of two people who can be contacted for reference letter.

For questions and answers contact to: padilla@ifae.es , otger@ifae.es

Sending CVs to the above addresses implies consent to the IFAE’s legal warning on data privacy. IFAE is an equal opportunity employer committed to diversity in the workplace and social integration of people with a disability. We welcome applications from all qualified candidates. People from groups that are typically underrepresented in the labour market in general and in Science and Engineering in particular, such as women, minorities, or people with a disability, are particularly encouraged to apply.

A Selection Committee will evaluate the received applications. If more than one candidate seems equally suitable for the position, the Selection Committee will arrange an on-line interview with each one of them as part of the Selection process. In compliance with article 121 of the Spanish Public Sector Legal Regime Act, staff with a pre-existing relationship with the Consortium administration (Generalitat de Catalunya and Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona) will have priority in the awarding of the position.