Data Centre 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 is known for its groundbreaking work in particle physics. CERN employs over 2,500 staff members and collaborates with thousands of scientists from around the world, representing more than 100 nationalities. The organization operates in multiple countries and is dedicated to pushing the boundaries of knowledge and technology in the field of fundamental physics.

Job Overview:
The Data Centre Engineer position at CERN is a critical role that involves ensuring the efficient operation of the computing infrastructure necessary for the functioning of CERN's particle accelerators. The successful candidate will join the Controls Software & Services group, contributing to the management and operation of the accelerator control system computing infrastructure. This role is vital for maintaining the 24/7 availability of core control system services, which are essential for the operation of CERN's facilities. The engineer will work closely with a passionate team, utilizing their engineering skills to develop, operate, and evolve the complex computing infrastructure that supports CERN's mission. This position offers the opportunity to influence the evolution of this infrastructure and to engage in a variety of tasks that ensure the smooth operation of CERN's scientific endeavors.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The duties and responsibilities of the Data Centre Engineer include managing the data centre infrastructure, which encompasses servers, racks, and their interconnections with networking, power, and cooling systems. The engineer will also oversee desktop computers and wall screens in control rooms and technical buildings, as well as manage networked data-storage systems to ensure effective backups. administration" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">System administration tasks for Linux computers connected to the accelerator control system will be a key part of the role, including consoles in control rooms, data centre servers, real-time embedded platforms, and virtual machines. The engineer will investigate, diagnose, and resolve operational problems in collaboration with end-users, which may include equipment specialists and operations teams. Additionally, the role involves planning and coordinating annual installation work and the replacement of obsolete equipment, working closely with other members of the system administration team. Collaboration with IT engineers responsible for CERN's general IT infrastructure is also essential, as is participation in defining hardware specifications for server and desktop computers.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess a Bachelor's degree or equivalent relevant experience in Computer Science or a related field. Proven experience in operating medium to large-scale computing infrastructures in a data centre environment is essential. Familiarity with the installation and management of high-performance and high-availability commercial server platforms is required. Experience with configuration management tools such as Ansible, Puppet, or similar, as well as a version control system like Git, is advantageous. Technical competencies should include installation, operation, and maintenance of computing systems, knowledge of operating systems (specifically Linux), and operation and maintenance of storage systems and networks.

Educational Background:
A Bachelor'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 provide a solid foundation in computing principles and practices, particularly in relation to data centre operations and system administration.

Experience:
Candidates should have proven experience in the operation of medium to large-scale computing infrastructures within a data centre environment. This includes hands-on experience with high-performance and high-availability server platforms, as well as familiarity with configuration management tools and version control systems. The ideal candidate will have a track record of successfully managing complex computing systems and resolving operational issues in collaboration with diverse teams.

Languages:
Fluency in spoken and written English is mandatory for this position, as it is the working language at CERN. Additionally, candidates should demonstrate a commitment to learning French, which is beneficial for communication within the organization and the local community.

Additional Notes:
This position is a limited duration contract for 5 years, with the possibility of extension up to 8 years and eligibility for an indefinite contract tenure. The role requires a full-time commitment of 40 hours per week and is fully onsite. The position involves work in radiation areas and interventions in underground installations, necessitating a valid driving license. Stand-by duty may be required based on the organization's needs. The job grade is classified as 4-5, and the reference for this position is BE-CSS-ISA-2026-56-LD. CERN offers a competitive salary that is tax-free and increases with relevant experience, along with 30 days of paid leave per year, comprehensive health insurance coverage, family allowances, and a relocation package depending on individual circumstances.