Distributed Computing DevOps Engineer

Job Posting Organization:
CERN, the European Organization for Nuclear Research, is a leading scientific research institution established to probe the fundamental structure of the universe. It employs a diverse workforce of physicists, engineers, and other professionals, working collaboratively to explore the basic constituents of matter using the world's largest and most complex scientific instruments. CERN operates in over 40 countries and is known for its groundbreaking contributions to particle physics research, including the development of the Large Hadron Collider (LHC).

Job Overview:
The position of Distributed Computing DevOps Engineer at CERN is designed for motivated computing engineers who wish to contribute to a global scientific infrastructure. The role is situated within CERN's IT Computing for Experiments group (IT-CE), which is responsible for supporting the CERN physics community. This includes coordinating core functions and services of the Worldwide LHC Computing Grid (WLCG) and developing advanced computing solutions. The successful candidate will play a pivotal role in shaping the future of distributed computing within WLCG, which comprises over 170 computing centers worldwide. The role also involves contributing to the High-Luminosity LHC (HL-LHC) program, ensuring the operation and evolution of a large-scale distributed computing infrastructure that supports global scientific collaborations. The engineer will work in a stimulating international environment, directly contributing to computing projects and operations alongside a team of engineers and physicists, focusing on continuous improvement of services and operational procedures.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The duties and responsibilities of the Distributed Computing DevOps Engineer include:

• Developing, integrating, and automating operational tools and workflows in preparation for the HL-LHC.
• Contributing directly to selected computing projects and operations of one or more scientific collaborations as part of an experiment liaison role.
• Monitoring and supporting the operation of a high-scale global distributed computing infrastructure across multiple international sites.
• Evolving and operating monitoring, accounting, and topology systems to track service availability, data transfers, and resource utilization.
• Supporting daily operational activities, including incident tracking, debugging service issues, and coordinating with external sites and users.
• Contributing to the integration and adoption of AI-driven tools and automation technologies to enhance operational efficiency and service performance.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess a Master's Degree or PhD or equivalent relevant experience in Physics, Computing, Engineering, or a related field. Additionally, they should have experience in Linux-based distributed computing environments, proficiency in Python programming and scripting languages, and familiarity with web frameworks and databases. Experience with DevOps workflows, including code management tools (Jira, GitLab), continuous integration, delivery and deployment, containerization, and orchestration (Kubernetes) is essential. Candidates should also have the capacity to critically interpret and analyze data and experience working with large-scale systems such as cloud or grid infrastructures. Experience with large scientific projects or working with scientific communities is considered a strong asset.

Educational Background:
The educational background required for this position includes a Master's Degree or PhD in Physics, Computing, Engineering, or a related field. Equivalent relevant experience may also be considered acceptable.

Experience:
The position requires candidates to have experience in Linux-based distributed computing environments, proficiency in Python and other scripting languages, and familiarity with web frameworks and databases. Candidates should have experience with DevOps workflows, including code management, continuous integration, delivery and deployment, and containerization. Experience with large-scale systems and scientific projects is highly desirable.

Languages:
The mandatory language for this position is English, both spoken and written. Candidates are also expected to have a commitment to learn French, which is considered beneficial for the role.

Additional Notes:
This position is a limited duration contract for 5 years, with the possibility of extension up to 8 years and eligibility for an indefinite contract tenure. The working hours are 40 hours per week, and the role may require work during nights, Sundays, and official holidays as needed. The job grade is 6-7, and the position is hybrid, allowing for a mix of remote and on-site work. CERN offers a competitive salary that is tax-free, along with 30 days of paid leave per year, comprehensive health insurance, and various allowances depending on individual circumstances. A relocation package is also available.