Software Engineer

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

• It is known for its groundbreaking work in particle physics and technology, employing over 2,500 staff members and hosting thousands of scientists from around the world. CERN operates in multiple countries and is dedicated to pushing the frontiers of science and technology, fostering an environment of innovation and collaboration among a diverse range of professionals.

Job Overview:
The Software Engineer position involves joining a team of experienced software engineers to work on a cutting-edge big data processing and analysis platform. This platform aims to extend the existing UCAP real-time stream processing platform and integrate it with the NXCALS petabyte-scale offline data storage and analysis system. The role requires designing, implementing, and evolving the Data Processing Platform (DPP), transforming a proof-of-concept into a full-scale, production-ready solution that meets stakeholder requirements. The engineer will research, design, and implement adaptations of the UCAP system to the DPP platform, addressing architectural, integration, and migration challenges to ensure compatibility with the new platform. Collaboration with accelerator operation and equipment specialists is essential to create user-friendly libraries, APIs, and configuration facilities for developing and deploying algorithms in Python or Java.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Design and implement the Data Processing Platform (DPP) to meet stakeholder requirements.
• Transform the existing proof-of-concept into a production-ready solution.
• Research and adapt the UCAP system to the DPP platform, including migrating UCAP converters into DPP function-based services.
• Address architectural, integration, and migration challenges for full compatibility with the new platform.
• Collaborate with accelerator operation and equipment specialists to design user-friendly libraries and APIs.
• Enable the development and deployment of traditional and machine learning algorithms in Python or Java.
• Ensure the platform supports both offline and online data analysis and processing.
• Participate in code reviews and contribute to the continuous improvement of the software development process.

Required Qualifications:

• Professional background in Software Engineering or a closely related field.
• A Master's degree with 2 to 6 years of post-graduation professional experience, or a PhD with no more than 3 years of post-graduation professional experience.
• No prior CERN fellow or graduate contract experience.
• Good understanding of distributed systems and microservice architecture.
• Exposure to serverless concepts and frameworks, particularly Knative or OpenFaaS is an asset.
• Knowledge of data processing and streaming frameworks such as Apache Kafka and Apache Spark is beneficial.
• Proficiency in Core Java and its ecosystem, with hands-on experience in the Spring Framework, including Spring Boot.
• Working knowledge of Python and its ecosystem.
• Familiarity with containerization and orchestration tools like Docker/Podman and Kubernetes. 1
• Knowledge of gRPC and REST API design and development. 1
• Familiarity with CI/CD pipelines and tools is an asset. 1
• Strong spoken and written English skills, with a commitment to learn French.

Educational Background:
Candidates must possess a Master's degree in Software Engineering or a related field, or a PhD in a relevant discipline. The educational background should provide a solid foundation in software development principles, programming languages, and system architecture, equipping candidates with the necessary skills to tackle complex software engineering challenges.

Experience:
The position requires candidates to have a professional background in software engineering or a closely related field. Specifically, candidates should have either a Master's degree with 2 to 6 years of post-graduation professional experience or a PhD with no more than 3 years of post-graduation professional experience. This experience should include hands-on work in software development, particularly in backend development and familiarity with distributed systems and microservices.

Languages:
Fluency in spoken and written English is mandatory for this position. Candidates should also demonstrate a commitment to learning French, which is considered a valuable asset for effective communication within the organization and with stakeholders.

Additional Notes:
The job closing date is set for 29.03.2026 at 23:59 CET. The contract duration is 24 months, with the possibility of extension up to a maximum of 36 months. The working hours are 40 hours per week, and the position is fully onsite. The target start date for this role is 01-May-202

• The job reference is BE-CSS-DSP-2026-23-GRAP, and it falls under the field of Software Engineering and IT, benchmarked as job 200020 - Computing Engineer. The compensation includes a monthly stipend ranging from 6372 to 7004 Swiss Francs per month, tax-free, depending on the candidate's degree. Additional benefits include 30 days of paid leave per year, comprehensive health insurance coverage, family allowances, a relocation package, and opportunities for on-the-job and formal training, including language classes.