Platform 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 collaborates with thousands of scientists from around the globe. CERN operates in multiple countries and is known for its groundbreaking work in particle physics, utilizing the world's largest and most complex scientific instruments to study fundamental particles and the laws of nature. Diversity is a core value at CERN, and the organization is committed to fostering an inclusive environment that reflects the diverse backgrounds of its workforce.

Job Overview:
As a Platform Engineer at CERN, you will play a crucial role in supporting innovative research by contributing to the operation of various services within the Scientific Information Service. This position involves working with a high-performing team that utilizes a modern technology stack, including Kubernetes, PostgreSQL, Python, and OpenSearch, along with ReactJS for front-end development. You will be responsible for maintaining, supporting, and deploying services and tools that assist the research community, ensuring high availability and performance for systems that serve thousands of users annually. The role presents numerous challenges and opportunities that align with your engineering interests and strengths, allowing you to make a significant impact in the field of particle physics.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Collaborate with team members and external partners to maintain and enhance online production web services.
• Manage and operate container orchestration platforms, primarily Kubernetes, to ensure efficient deployment and scaling of applications.
• Develop and maintain high throughput REST APIs that serve the research community.
• Utilize version control systems, particularly Git and GitHub, to manage code and collaborate with other developers.
• Write and optimize Docker Compose files and Multi-stage Dockerfiles for application deployment.
• Monitor system performance and reliability using Prometheus and Grafana, implementing necessary improvements.
• Engage in continuous integration and delivery practices, utilizing tools such as ArgoCD and GitHub Actions.
• Provide technical support and troubleshooting for services and tools used by researchers.
• Document processes and contribute to open-source projects as part of CERN's commitment to collaboration and knowledge sharing.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess a deep understanding of Linux systems and have extensive experience working with container orchestration platforms, particularly Kubernetes. Proficiency in version control systems, especially Git and GitHub, is essential. Candidates should also have hands-on experience with Docker and Docker Compose, as well as knowledge of Prometheus and Grafana for monitoring purposes. Experience with Continuous Delivery solutions and Continuous Integration platforms is considered an asset. Familiarity with relational database management systems, particularly PostgreSQL, and exposure to ElasticSearch, OpenSearch, or Solr will be beneficial. Basic knowledge of Kustomize is also advantageous. Strong spoken and written English skills are mandatory, and a commitment to learning French is expected.

Educational Background:
Applicants must hold a Bachelor's or Master's degree in Computer Science or a related field. Candidates without a university degree are not eligible for this position, and those with a PhD are also excluded from consideration. The educational qualifications must be completed by the application deadline, and candidates should have a maximum of two years of professional experience since graduation.

Experience:
The position requires candidates to have a maximum of two years of professional experience in the field of computer science or a related area. This experience should be gained after the completion of the highest educational qualification, which must be either a Bachelor's or Master's degree. Candidates who have previously held a CERN fellow or graduate contract are not eligible to apply.

Languages:
Fluency in spoken and written English is mandatory for this position. Candidates are also expected to demonstrate a commitment to learning French, which will be beneficial for communication within the organization and the local community.

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

• The job reference for this position is RCS-SIS-TS-2025-189-GRAE. The monthly stipend offered ranges between 5196 and 5716 Swiss Francs, net of tax. Additionally, CERN provides comprehensive health coverage for employees and their families, as well as membership in the CERN Pension Fund. Depending on individual circumstances, additional benefits may include installation grants, family allowances, and travel expense reimbursements at the beginning and end of the contract. Employees are entitled to 30 days of paid leave per year and will have access to both on-the-job and formal training opportunities, including in-house language courses for English and/or French.