Company Description
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.
Job Description
Introduction
Are you a skilled and passionate Software Engineer? Are you ready to join CERN’s Controls Software and Services group where together with other software engineers, you can make a difference? Take an active role in the design and development of the control systems used by the CERN installation, operation and maintenance teams to model, manage, control and analyse the behaviour of the particle accelerators. Join CERN’s Controls Configuration, Settings and Automation (CSA) team and realise your potential. Take Part!
In our team, you will have a key role in developing and maintaining high-level control system software necessary to operate some of the world’s most complex machines, including the Large Hadron Collider (LHC). Your primary responsibility will be designing and implementing distributed, modular applications in Java that form the backbone of the controls infrastructure used to operate CERN’s accelerators with precision and reliability.
You will work closely with other software engineers, accelerator operators, physicists and equipment specialists to translate operational requirements into robust software solutions. These will cover objectives such as coordinating sequences of beam operations, managing real-time data flows, enabling high-level automation of accelerator processes, monitoring critical technical infrastructure and alerting in case of anomalies. As such, the software you develop will have a direct impact on the safe and efficient operation of CERN’s scientific installations.
You will join:
- The Beams department, responsible for the beam generation, acceleration, diagnostics, controls and performance optimisation for the LHC and its injector accelerators.
- The Controls Software and Services group, which provides solutions for the control and monitoring of all of the CERN particle accelerators, their transfer lines, associated experimental areas and various supporting technical infrastructure services.
- The Configuration, Settings and Automation section, delivering systems to facilitate configuration management for logical and physical configuration of the control system, empower accelerator operations teams with mission-critical settings management systems and enable automated accelerator control.
Functions
In this highly collaborative and interdisciplinary environment, you will engage in all stages of the software lifecycle — from architecture and design through development, testing, deployment and long-term support. You will also contribute to evolving CERN’s software frameworks and core services, ensuring they remain modern, maintainable and performant.
In particular, you will:
- Drive discussions with end-users to understand their needs and help translate these into appropriate solutions;
- Shape the evolution and participate in the development of our software solutions for high-level controls;
- Contribute to the development of the mission-critical software used to monitor and alert anomalies based on data from hundreds of thousands of accelerator and infrastructure devices;
- Collaborate, share knowledge and solutions with other highly skilled software engineers, inside the CSS group and across the Accelerators & Technology sector;
- Investigate, diagnose and resolve operational problems in collaboration with end-users ranging from equipment specialists to operations teams;
- Take responsibility for one or more key systems, after an initial learning period, planning the evolution of the system, through appropriate user community engagement and subsequent follow-up;
- On-board and mentor junior developers.
Qualifications
Master's degree or equivalent relevant experience in the field of Computing or a related field.
Experience:
Proven experience in:
- Java software development using: spring (Boot, Cloud), JPA;
- Applying object-oriented programming principles, GRASP patterns and SOLID principles;
- Building new software systems and evolving existing ones, including legacy systems;
- Designing and evolving client-oriented APIs;
- Applying software quality assurance techniques and practice with corresponding tools;
- Working with relational databases including a practical working knowledge of SQL;
- Using CI/CD solutions to build, test and provision software to operations.
Technical competencies:
- Knowledge and application of software life-cycle tools and procedures: including DevOps (GitLab is a plus);
- Testing, diagnosing and optimisation of software;
- Knowledge of programming techniques and languages: java, (Python is a plus);
- Monitoring and troubleshooting of operational software systems.
Behavioural competencies:
- Achieving results:
- having a structured and organised approach towards work;
- being able to set priorities and plan tasks with results in mind.
- Learning and sharing knowledge:
- keeping up-to-date with developments in own field of expertise and readily absorbing new information;
- sharing knowledge and expertise freely and willingly with others;
- coaching others to ensure knowledge transfer;
- thinking "out of the box" and proposing fresh ideas, insights and methodologies.
- Working in teams:
- understanding when teamwork is required to achieve the best results;
- including others accordingly and sharing information;
- working well in groups and readily fitting into a team;
- participating fully and taking an active role in team activities.
- Demonstrating flexibility:
- adapting quickly and resourcefully to shifting priorities and requirements;
- instigating and promoting change as an opportunity for organisational development.
Language skills:
Spoken and written English, with a commitment to learn French.
Additional Information
Eligibility and closing date:
Diversity has been an integral part of CERN's mission since its foundation and is an established value of the Organisation. Employing a diverse workforce is central to our success. We welcome applications from all Member States and Associate Member States.
This vacancy will be filled as soon as possible, and applications should normally reach us no later than 24.08.2025 at 23:59 CEST.
Employment Conditions
Contract type: Limited duration contract (5 years). Subject to certain conditions, holders of limited-duration contracts may apply for an indefinite position.
Working Hours: 40 hours per week
This position involves:
- Stand-by duty, and work during nights, Sundays and official holidays, when required by the needs of the Organisation.
Job grade: 6-7
Job reference: BE-CSS-CSA-2025-151-LD
Benchmark Job Title: Computing Engineer
