Computing Engineer

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

• It is located 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 involves the administration and engineering of the 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 is essential for the surveillance and operation of CERN's particle accelerators, which are vital for conducting experiments that probe the fundamental laws of nature. The Computing Engineer will work on migrating services to a new on-premises Kubernetes infrastructure, enhancing the robustness and scalability of these services, and contributing to the development of mission-critical solutions that will serve CERN for decades to come. The role also involves collaboration with various teams, including IT engineers, and mentoring junior engineers, making it a dynamic and impactful position within the organization.

Duties and Responsibilities:
As a Computing Engineer specialized in System Administration, the individual will perform a variety of tasks including: managing 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. The engineer will communicate with end-users to understand their needs and translate these into effective solutions. They will investigate, diagnose, and resolve operational problems in collaboration with end-users, which may include equipment specialists and operations teams. The role also involves participating in the strategic evolution of the accelerator control system infrastructure towards container technology hosted on Kubernetes. Specific duties include providing containerization mechanisms and tools for software development teams, contributing to the planning and migration of infrastructure from bare metal to a clustered container orchestration platform, and advancing the control system Kubernetes platform and associated services. Additionally, the engineer will collaborate closely with IT engineers and mentor junior engineers, ensuring knowledge transfer and skill development within the team.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess a Master's degree or equivalent relevant experience in Computer Science or a related field. They should have proven experience in operating medium to large-scale distributed computing infrastructures, particularly with Linux operating systems and high-performance server platforms. Familiarity with container technologies such as Docker and Podman, as well as administration of on-premise Kubernetes infrastructure and associated services, is essential. Knowledge of configuration management tools like Ansible or Puppet, and version control systems such as Git, is also required. Candidates should have an interest in software failure analysis and diagnostics in a Linux environment, along with a solid understanding of security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">security aspects related to the deployment of diagnostic and monitoring solutions.

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 science principles, systems administration, and infrastructure management, particularly in a scientific or research context.

Experience:
Candidates should have substantial experience in the operation of distributed computing infrastructures, particularly in environments that require high availability and performance. Experience with Linux operating systems, container technologies, and Kubernetes infrastructure is crucial. The ideal candidate will have a track record of successfully managing complex systems and collaborating with cross-functional teams to achieve operational excellence.

Languages:
Fluency in spoken and written English is mandatory, and candidates should demonstrate a commitment to learning French. Proficiency in additional languages may be considered an asset but is not required for this position.

Additional Notes:
This position is a limited duration contract for 5 years, with the possibility of applying for an indefinite position subject to 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 involve stand-by duty as required by the organization's needs. 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. CERN values diversity and encourages applications from all Member States and Associate Member States.