Computing Engineer

Job Posting Organization:
CERN, the European Organization for Nuclear Research, is a leading scientific research organization 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. The organization aims to advance knowledge and understanding of the universe through collaborative research and innovation.

Job Overview:
The position of Computing Engineer at CERN is focused on administration" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">system administration and computing engineering within the Controls Software & Services group. The successful candidate will play a crucial role in ensuring the efficient operation of CERN's particle accelerators by managing the computing infrastructure that supports these systems. This role involves working on the migration of services to a new on-premises Kubernetes infrastructure, which is essential for maintaining the 24/7 availability of core control system services. The Computing Engineer will be responsible for developing and evolving the computing infrastructure that is vital for the accelerator complex controls, contributing to mission-critical solutions that will serve CERN for decades to come. The position requires collaboration with various teams and stakeholders to ensure that the infrastructure meets the operational needs of the organization.

Duties and Responsibilities:
As a Computing Engineer specialized in System Administration, the individual will be tasked with performing system administration for Linux computers connected to the accelerator control system. This includes managing control room consoles, data center servers, real-time embedded platforms, and virtual machines. The role requires effective communication with end-users to understand their needs and translate them into appropriate solutions. The engineer will investigate, diagnose, and resolve operational problems in collaboration with end-users, which may include equipment specialists and operations teams. Additionally, the engineer will actively participate in the strategic evolution of the accelerator control system infrastructure towards container technology hosted on Kubernetes. Responsibilities 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 improving the control system Kubernetes platform and associated services. The engineer will also collaborate closely with IT engineers and mentor junior engineers.

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, including expertise in the Linux operating system, high-performance and high-availability commercial server platforms, and container technologies such as Docker and Podman. Experience with on-premise Kubernetes infrastructure and associated services, including ArgoCD, Hashicorp Vault, and Prometheus, is required. Familiarity with configuration management tools like Ansible or Puppet and version control systems such as Git is also necessary. A strong interest in software failure analysis, diagnostics, and validation in a Linux environment is expected.

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 disciplines that prepare the candidate for the technical challenges of the role.

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, as well as familiarity with diagnostic and monitoring solutions. The ideal candidate will have a track record of successfully managing complex computing environments and a strong understanding of security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">security aspects related to their 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 subject to certain conditions. The working hours are set at 40 hours per week, and the job requires full onsite presence. 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 a benchmark job title of Computing Engineer. CERN values diversity and encourages applications from all Member States and Associate Member States.