Job code 32/2025

Applications are invited for the position of MAIT (Manufacturing, Assembly, Integration and Manager for the Athena Wide Field Imager in the High-Energy astrophysics group of the Max Planck Institute for Extraterrestrial Physics (MPE) in Garching, led by Prof. K. Nandra.

MPE is a world-leading institute in space- and ground-based experimental astrophysics, with leading roles in a number of large astronomical projects. The High-Energy Group at MPE carries out major space hardware programs, including the development of X-ray detectors and X-ray optics. The group has contributed significantly to Chandra and XMM–Newton and has more recently led the development of the eROSITA X-ray telescope, launched in 2019 aboard the SRG mission. The group is also involved in several ground-based projects in support of eROSITA, such as LSST, GROND, SDSS-V, and 4MOST, primarily in support of our space programs. Further details about MPE or the High-Energy Group .

The main future project of the MPE High-Energy Group is NewAthena , the future observatory-class X-ray astronomy mission of the European Space Agency (ESA). MPE is the lead Institute responsible for the Wide Field Imager (WFI), one of the two instruments aboard the mission, and leads the international consortium responsible for the WFI development The WFI camera itself is based on the unique Silicon DEPFET technology developed by the semiconductor laboratory of the Max Planck Society. This enables spatially and temporally resolved spectroscopy of X-ray photons in the energy range from 200 eV to 15 keV over a large field of view, with excellent energy resolution and fast readout.

The High-Energy Group seek an experienced individual capable of co-ordinating and managing this complex international project, working in close collaboration with the other members of the WFI Project Office.

The main responsibilities of the WFI MAIT Manager include:

• Planning, organization, direction and control of the MAIT programme and personnel
• Establishing and maintaining the AIT Plan and AIT schedule
• Inclusion of all necessary operations into the AIT program and procedures to demonstrate contractual compliance in accordance with the AIT Requirements
• Review and authorization of AIT documentation
• Ensure that standards are applied in accordance with operating procedures, cleanliness, safety and other relevant project requirements
• Coordination and availability of the necessary GSE and facilities
• Preparation of test set-ups
• Execution of AIT operations
• Preparation of procedures

The WFI MAIT Manager should have following qualifications:

• An engineering degree
• At least 5 years work experience in aerospace industries with high quality standards
• Experience working in clean rooms, handling highly sensitive products
• Experience working with ESA standards and requirements
• Good planning skills
• Good technical understanding of a manufacturing environment
• Excellent communication skills and responsibility sense
• Fluency in English, both written and spoken, is essential
• German language skills are essential

The MAIT Manager will report to the Director of the MPE High Energy Group, Prof. K. Nandra, who is also the WFI Principal Investigator. They will work closely together with other members of the WFI project office, including the Project Scientist, Systems Engineer, Product Assurance manager and Engineering discipline leads. They will act as the primary management interface between the WFI consortium and the European Space Agency (ESA), which are responsible for the NewAthena project overall, and the German space agency (DLR), who provide funding to MPE to execute the WFI project. The role involves a high level of responsibility and autonomy and is likely to involve frequent travel for meetings with ESA and international partners.

The appointment is based on the German scale for public employees (TVöD), with salary dependent on experience and associated benefits. The position is available as soon as possible and will initially be time-limited until December 31, 2027. Contingent on project requirements and funding, it will be reviewed for a possible longer-term appointment towards the end of this period.

Applicants should submit their documents in PDF format online , comprising a cover letter, a brief description of past projects and a curriculum vitae, including the names and contact details of three referees who can provide letters of reference upon request. Applications received by January 31, 2026 will receive full consideration, but applications received after this date will be considered until the position is filled.

The Max Planck Society is committed to increasing the number of individuals with disabilities in its workforce and therefore encourages applications from such qualified individuals. Furthermore, the Max Planck Society seeks to increase the number of women in those areas where they are underrepresented and therefore explicitly encourages women to apply.

MPE wishes to increase diversity and equality of opportunity in all respects and welcomes applications without regard to factors such as nationality, ethnicity, disability, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, or sexual orientation.