Position Instrumentation Engineer – IFAE – Reference: IFAE2026/24_ATHENA_Engineer

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). Its main objective is to carry out research and contribute to the development of high‑energy physics from theoretical, experimental, and technological perspectives.

About ATHENA and ARRAKIHS (IFAE) The group is active in two major European space and technology initiatives. Within the ATHENA CHIPS JU EU project, we lead the characterisation of novel Very‑Long‑Wave Infrared (VLWIR) detectors, contributing to next‑generation sensing technologies.

In parallel, as part of the ARRAKIHS ESA mission, we are responsible for the characterisation and calibration of Near‑Infrared (NIR) H2RG detector arrays, ensuring the scientific performance and readiness of the mission’s focal plane instrumentation.

Responsibilities The successful candidate will develop, design, and maintain cryogenic and readout setups for characterising the H2RG engineering and flight‑model detectors for the ARRAKIHS ESA mission and VLWIR detectors for the ATHENA EU CHIPS JU project. The person may also contribute to the development and commissioning of setups for other projects at IFAE.

Required Skills and Evaluation Criteria

Assembly, integration, and verification of astronomical or scientific optical instrumentation

Optical and opto‑mechanical design, simulation, alignment, integration, and analysis

Readout electronics standard systems (ARC, ESO‑NGC,



H2RG readout system, etc.)

Design, simulation, and integration of mechanisms in cryo‑vacuum conditions

Vacuum and cryogenics systems

Digital imaging processing algorithms, image noise, and statistics

Design, simulation, and implementation of control systems

System engineering skills to understand the global picture and the details of complex systems, their interfaces, and performance

Project management skills

Experience in characterisation of IR detectors for space applications

Proficiency in spoken and written English

Evaluation criteria and weighting

Qualifications and academic record – 20 points

Experience in the above requirements – 70 points

Motivation – 10 points

Offered Contract

Full‑time contract (40 hours/week)

Teleworking opportunities and a versátil schedule

Temporal contract until 31/08/2027 under Article 23‑bis of the Spanish Act 14/2011

Six‑month trial period

Position classified as “Engineer” within IFAE professional categories

Salary proportional to experience and qualifications within the category range

Work with experimental science, travel to scientific infrastructures, and opportunities for personal growth and learning

Selected candidate expected to join as soon as possible

Equal Opportunity Statement IFAE is committed to equal opportunities, diversity, and inclusion. Women are especially encouraged to apply. IFAE also supports the integration of people with disabilities and underrepresented groups, reserving seven percent of places for people with disabilities as specified in article 59 of the EBEP.

📌 Instrumentation Engineer – Position in IFAE (Madrid)
🏢 IFAE
📍 Madrid