Computing Engineer

Job Posting Organization:
CERN, the European Organization for Nuclear Research, is a leading scientific research institution established in 195

• It is headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland, and employs over 2,500 staff members from various countries. CERN operates in multiple countries and is known for its groundbreaking research in particle physics, utilizing the world's largest and most complex scientific instruments to explore the fundamental structure of the universe.

Job Overview:
The position of Computing Engineer at CERN is a critical role that focuses on the administration" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">system administration and computing infrastructure necessary for the operation of CERN's particle accelerators. The successful candidate will be part of the Controls Software & Services group, which is responsible for ensuring the 24/7 availability of core control system services. This role involves working on the migration of services to a new on-premises Kubernetes infrastructure, which is essential for maintaining business continuity and enhancing the robustness and scalability of CERN's operations. The Computing Engineer will have the opportunity to influence the evolution of this infrastructure, contributing to mission-critical solutions that will serve CERN for decades to come. The role requires collaboration with various teams, including engineers from the IT Department, and involves mentoring junior engineers, making it a position that combines technical expertise with leadership responsibilities.

Duties and Responsibilities:
As a Computing Engineer specialized in System Administration, the individual will perform a variety of tasks including:

• System administration for Linux computers connected to the accelerator control system, which includes control room consoles, data center servers, real-time embedded platforms, and virtual machines.
• Engaging with end-users to understand their needs and translating these into effective solutions.
• Investigating, diagnosing, and resolving operational problems in collaboration with end-users, which may include equipment specialists and operations teams.
• Actively participating in the strategic evolution of the accelerator control system infrastructure towards container technology hosted on Kubernetes.
• Providing containerization mechanisms and tools for software development teams, including base images, registry management, and security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">security aspects.
• Contributing to the planning and migration of infrastructure from bare metal to a clustered container orchestration platform.
• Advancing and upgrading the control system Kubernetes platform and associated services to keep pace with technological advancements and user needs.
• Collaborating closely with IT engineers responsible for CERN's general IT infrastructure.
• Mentoring and supervising junior engineers to foster their development and ensure high-quality work within the team.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess a Master's degree or equivalent relevant experience in Computer Science or a related field. Proven experience in operating medium to large-scale distributed computing infrastructures is essential, particularly with Linux operating systems and high-performance, high-availability commercial server platforms. Familiarity with container technologies such as Docker and Podman, as well as administration of on-premise Kubernetes infrastructure and associated services, is required. Candidates should also have experience with configuration management tools like Ansible or Puppet, and version control systems such as Git. A strong interest in software failure analysis, diagnostics, and validation in a Linux environment is also necessary.

Educational Background:
A Master's degree in Computer Science or a related field is required for this position. Equivalent relevant experience may also be considered. The educational background should include a strong foundation in computer systems, software engineering, and related technical disciplines.

Experience:
Candidates should have proven experience in the operation of medium to large-scale distributed computing infrastructures. This includes hands-on experience with Linux operating systems, high-performance server platforms, and container technologies. Experience with Kubernetes infrastructure and associated services is crucial, along with familiarity with configuration management tools and version control systems. The role also requires a solid understanding of diagnostic and monitoring solutions, as well as security aspects related to deployment.

Languages:
Fluency in spoken and written English is mandatory, with a commitment to learn French being a valuable asset. The ability to communicate effectively in both languages will enhance collaboration within the diverse workforce at CERN.

Additional Notes:
This position is a limited duration contract for 5 years, with the possibility of applying for an indefinite position under certain conditions. The working hours are set at 40 hours per week, and the job is fully onsite at CERN in Geneva. The role may require stand-by duty as needed by the organization. The job grade for this position is 6-7, and it falls under the field of Software Engineering and IT, with the benchmark job title being Computing Engineer.