Software Engineer
European Organization for Nuclear Research (CERN)
Geneva
Switzerland
May 15, 2026
Full-timeMay 15, 2026
Software Engineer
Job Description
Job Posting Organization:
CERN, the European Organization for Nuclear Research, was established in 1954 and is one of the world's largest and most respected centers for scientific research. With over 2,500 employees and thousands of scientists from around the globe, CERN operates in 23 member states and collaborates with numerous other countries. The organization is dedicated to pushing the boundaries of science and technology, particularly in the field of particle physics, and is known for its groundbreaking work in understanding the fundamental constituents of matter and the forces that govern their interactions.
Job Overview:
The Software Engineer position at CERN involves joining a dedicated team responsible for the development and evolution of CERN's industrial control frameworks, specifically JCOP and UNICOS. This role is crucial as it supports the evaluation and validation of new technologies for future control systems. The frameworks are built on the commercial SCADA platform SIMATIC WinCC Open Architecture (WinCC OA) from Siemens, which is integral to over 800 mission-critical control systems. As the Large Hadron Collider (LHC) detectors undergo significant upgrades, the role will focus on enhancing the JCOP Framework and implementing new control systems for the detectors. The engineer will be expected to contribute to the development of software components, maintain existing tools, and assist in the deployment and maintenance of control systems for LHC experiments.
Duties and Responsibilities:
The duties and responsibilities of the Software Engineer include: contributing to the development and evolution of the JCOP Framework used by LHC experiments; implementing and maintaining software components, templates, and tools based on WinCC OA and CERN control frameworks; integrating devices into supervisory control systems; designing and developing user interfaces with WinCC OA; prototyping and testing new solutions to enhance the reliability, maintainability, and scalability of the frameworks; assisting LHC experiments in the development, deployment, and maintenance of their control systems; participating in code reviews, debugging, and troubleshooting of control system applications.
Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess initial experience or exposure to software development in distributed or modular systems. Proficiency in modern programming languages and development tools, particularly C/C++, is essential. Knowledge of software engineering principles, including version control (GIT), testing, code quality, documentation, and CI/CD, is required. Familiarity with Qt, Node.js, or TypeScript is advantageous, as is experience with industrial control systems, SCADA technologies, or CERN experiment online systems.
Educational Background:
The position requires candidates to have a Bachelor's or Master's degree in Software Engineering or a related field. Applicants must have graduated within the last two years and should not have previously held a CERN fellow or graduate contract. Those without a university degree or with a PhD are not eligible for this position.
Experience:
Candidates should have a maximum of two years of professional experience since graduation in Software Engineering or a related field. This experience should ideally include work in software development, particularly in environments that involve distributed or modular systems.
Languages:
Proficiency in spoken and written English is mandatory, and candidates should demonstrate a commitment to learning French. This bilingual capability will enhance communication within the diverse teams at CERN.
Additional Notes:
The contract duration for this position is 24 months, with the possibility of extension up to a maximum of 36 months. The working hours are set at 40 hours per week, and the position offers hybrid job flexibility. The target start date for the role is September 1, 202
CERN, the European Organization for Nuclear Research, was established in 1954 and is one of the world's largest and most respected centers for scientific research. With over 2,500 employees and thousands of scientists from around the globe, CERN operates in 23 member states and collaborates with numerous other countries. The organization is dedicated to pushing the boundaries of science and technology, particularly in the field of particle physics, and is known for its groundbreaking work in understanding the fundamental constituents of matter and the forces that govern their interactions.
Job Overview:
The Software Engineer position at CERN involves joining a dedicated team responsible for the development and evolution of CERN's industrial control frameworks, specifically JCOP and UNICOS. This role is crucial as it supports the evaluation and validation of new technologies for future control systems. The frameworks are built on the commercial SCADA platform SIMATIC WinCC Open Architecture (WinCC OA) from Siemens, which is integral to over 800 mission-critical control systems. As the Large Hadron Collider (LHC) detectors undergo significant upgrades, the role will focus on enhancing the JCOP Framework and implementing new control systems for the detectors. The engineer will be expected to contribute to the development of software components, maintain existing tools, and assist in the deployment and maintenance of control systems for LHC experiments.
Duties and Responsibilities:
The duties and responsibilities of the Software Engineer include: contributing to the development and evolution of the JCOP Framework used by LHC experiments; implementing and maintaining software components, templates, and tools based on WinCC OA and CERN control frameworks; integrating devices into supervisory control systems; designing and developing user interfaces with WinCC OA; prototyping and testing new solutions to enhance the reliability, maintainability, and scalability of the frameworks; assisting LHC experiments in the development, deployment, and maintenance of their control systems; participating in code reviews, debugging, and troubleshooting of control system applications.
Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess initial experience or exposure to software development in distributed or modular systems. Proficiency in modern programming languages and development tools, particularly C/C++, is essential. Knowledge of software engineering principles, including version control (GIT), testing, code quality, documentation, and CI/CD, is required. Familiarity with Qt, Node.js, or TypeScript is advantageous, as is experience with industrial control systems, SCADA technologies, or CERN experiment online systems.
Educational Background:
The position requires candidates to have a Bachelor's or Master's degree in Software Engineering or a related field. Applicants must have graduated within the last two years and should not have previously held a CERN fellow or graduate contract. Those without a university degree or with a PhD are not eligible for this position.
Experience:
Candidates should have a maximum of two years of professional experience since graduation in Software Engineering or a related field. This experience should ideally include work in software development, particularly in environments that involve distributed or modular systems.
Languages:
Proficiency in spoken and written English is mandatory, and candidates should demonstrate a commitment to learning French. This bilingual capability will enhance communication within the diverse teams at CERN.
Additional Notes:
The contract duration for this position is 24 months, with the possibility of extension up to a maximum of 36 months. The working hours are set at 40 hours per week, and the position offers hybrid job flexibility. The target start date for the role is September 1, 202
- The job reference is BE-ICS-STF-2026-85-GRAE, 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 5266 to 5793 Swiss Francs, which is tax-free, along with 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.
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We are not liable for any decisions or actions taken by applicants in response to this job listing. By applying, you agree that all application processes, interviews, and potential job offers are managed exclusively by the listed employer or organization.
Beware of fraudulent job offers. Do not provide sensitive personal information or make any payments to secure a job.
