SRE / DevOps Engineer

Job Posting Organization:
CERN, the European Organization for Nuclear Research, was established in 1954 and is one of the world's largest and most respected centers for scientific research. It employs over 2,500 staff members and has a diverse workforce from more than 100 nationalities. CERN operates in multiple countries, primarily in Europe, and is known for its cutting-edge research in particle physics, utilizing the world's largest and most complex scientific instruments to study fundamental particles and their interactions. The organization is committed to diversity and inclusion, recognizing that a diverse workforce is essential for its success and innovation.

Job Overview:
The SRE / DevOps Engineer position at CERN is focused on enhancing the GitLab infrastructure that supports project collaboration and software development tools. The role involves ensuring the smooth operation and continuous evolution of the GitLab service, designing and managing complex CI/CD pipelines, and developing automation scripts to streamline software builds and deployments. The engineer will work with Infrastructure as Code tools to manage on-premise cloud infrastructures and integrate monitoring solutions to maintain environment health. This position requires collaboration with development teams to integrate their applications with CI/CD pipelines, ensuring a great user experience through expert guidance and support. The role is pivotal in driving DevSecOps adoption and incorporating security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">security initiatives throughout the software development lifecycle.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Ensure the smooth operation, maintenance, and continuous evolution of the GitLab service.
• Design, implement, and manage complex CI/CD pipelines within GitLab, including Runners, DAST/SAST, dependency scanning, container registries, and environment management.
• Develop and maintain automation scripts (e.g., Python, Bash) to streamline software builds, testing, deployments, and infrastructure provisioning.
• Work with Infrastructure as Code (IaC) tools (e.g., Terraform / OpenTofu) to manage and provision on-premise cloud infrastructures.
• Integrate and configure monitoring, logging, and alerting solutions (e.g., Prometheus, Grafana, ELK Stack) to ensure environments health and performance.
• Identify areas for improvement and desirable new functionality with the GitLab user community.
• Further integrate GitLab with the CERN computing environment, driving DevSecOps adoption and incorporating CERN Security Team's recommendations.
• Collaborate closely with development teams, providing support to integrate their applications with CI/CD pipelines, actively listening to their needs, troubleshooting issues, and providing clear guidance on GitLab best practices.

Required Qualifications:

• National of a CERN Member or Associate Member State.
• Maximum of two years of professional experience since graduation in Computer Engineering or a related field.
• Highest educational qualification must be either a Bachelor's or Master's degree.
• No previous CERN fellow or graduate contract.
• Applicants without a university degree are not eligible.
• Applicants with a PhD are not eligible.

Educational Background:
Candidates must possess a Bachelor's or Master's degree in Computer Engineering or a related field. This educational background is essential to ensure that the candidate has the foundational knowledge and skills necessary for the technical demands of the role.

Experience:
The position requires a maximum of two years of professional experience since graduation. This experience should ideally be in roles related to software development, DevOps, or IT infrastructure management, providing the candidate with practical skills and knowledge relevant to the responsibilities of the SRE / DevOps Engineer role.

Languages:
Fluency in spoken and written English is mandatory, as it is the primary language of communication at CERN. Additionally, a commitment to learn French is expected, which will facilitate better integration into the workplace and collaboration with colleagues.

Additional Notes:
The contract duration for this position is 24 months, with a possible extension of up to 36 months. The working hours are set at 40 hours per week, and the target start date is October 1, 202

• The job reference for this position is IT-PW-WA-2025-126-GRAE. The compensation includes a monthly stipend ranging from 5196 to 5716 Swiss Francs (net of tax), coverage by CERN's comprehensive health scheme, and various allowances depending on individual circumstances. Employees are entitled to 30 days of paid leave per year and will have access to on-the-job and formal training, as well as in-house language courses.