At CERN, the European Organisation for Nuclear Research, physicists and engineers are probing the fundamental structure of the universe. Using the world's largest and most complex scientific instruments, they study the basic constituents of matter - fundamental particles that are made to collide together at close to the speed of light. The process gives physicists clues about how particles interact, and provides insights into the fundamental laws of nature.
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Job description
Help shape the future of the Large Hadron Collider (LHC) machine protection systems. We are looking for a motivated Engineer to contribute to the renovation of the LHC Collimator Control System, a critical component ensuring the safe and reliable operation of the world's most powerful particle accelerator. Working in a highly collaborative environment you will help to increase the reliability, usability, and long-term maintainability of systems at the heart of LHC operations.
This is a unique opportunity to combine software development, controls engineering, and accelerator technology while making a tangible impact on CERN's flagship facility.
Your responsibilities
Develop and maintain control applications for the LHC Collimator system using the FESA framework, ensuring integration within CERN's accelerator control environment.
Coordinate and support control system commissioning, performing functional testing, validation, and verification of interlocks and fail-safes prior to operational deployment.
Integrate control systems with the alarm server and develop high-level tools to enhance usability and real-time monitoring.
Contribute to the design and validation of system-level tests, including functional, integration, and regression testing.
Support expert and operational interfaces, providing diagnostic capabilities and improving intervention workflows.
Your profile
Demonstrated experience in real-time or distributed control systems, preferably within accelerator, industrial automation, or scientific environments.
Experience in interventions in complex industrial or technical environments.
Experience developing and maintaining expert interfaces (GUIs, web tools) for control and diagnostics.
Experience with software version control (e.g. Git) and CI/CD workflows.
Skills
Proficiency in C++.
Knowledge of Python.
Skilled in system integration, commissioning, and validation of control applications for hardware-software systems.
Strong ability to troubleshoot, analyse, and document complex technical issues in operational environments.
Proactive, organised, and collaborative, with the ability to work effectively in multidisciplinary engineering teams and communicate technical progress clearly.
Spoken and written English, with a commitment to learn French.
Eligibility criteria
You are a national of a CERN Member or Associate Member State.
You have a professional background in Controls Engineering, Computer Science, Electronic Engineering (or a related field) and have either:
a Master's degree with 2 to 6 years of post-graduation professional experience;
or a PhD with no more than 3 years of post-graduation professional experience.
You have never had a CERN fellow or graduate contract before.
What we offer
A monthly net stipend of either 6,372 or 7,004 Swiss Francs per month depending on your degree.
30 days of paid leave per year plus 2 weeks annual closure.
Coverage by CERN’s comprehensive health insurance scheme (for yourself, your spouse and children), and membership of the CERN Pension Fund.
Family, child and infant monthly allowances depending on your individual circumstances.
A relocation package (installation grant and travel expenses) depending on your individual circumstances.
Possibility to extend your contract up to 36 months.
On-the-job and formal training including language classes.
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