Software Engineer

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

• It is known for its groundbreaking work in the field of particle physics and operates the largest particle physics laboratory in the world. CERN employs over 2,500 staff members and collaborates with thousands of scientists from around the globe, representing more than 100 nationalities. The organization is dedicated to pushing the frontiers of science and technology, fostering innovation and collaboration among a diverse range of professionals from various fields including engineering, technical, scientific, and administrative roles. Diversity is a core value at CERN, and it plays a crucial role in the organization's mission to advance our understanding of the universe.

Job Overview:
The Software Engineer position within the Controls Software and Services (CSS) group at CERN involves active participation in the design and development of critical systems that ensure the safe operation of CERN's accelerators around the clock. The role focuses on modernizing the Technical Infrastructure Monitoring (TIM) system, which is essential for supervising various installations such as cooling, ventilation, electricity, and cryogenics across the CERN complex. Additionally, the engineer will contribute to the LHC Alarm Service (LASER), a centralized alarm platform that serves the entire CERN accelerator chain. The position requires engagement in the full software development lifecycle, including requirements gathering, architecture design, development, testing, and deployment, all while adhering to agile practices. The engineer will design and develop backend services using Java/Spring Boot, create event streaming pipelines with Apache Kafka, and build REST APIs for monitoring dashboards and other systems. The role also emphasizes collaboration with accelerator operators and system owners to translate operational needs into effective software solutions.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The Software Engineer will be responsible for participating in the complete software development lifecycle, which includes: gathering requirements, designing system architecture, developing software, testing, and deploying applications. Key responsibilities include designing and developing Java/Spring Boot backend services for alarm data acquisition, processing, routing, and long-term data archiving. The engineer will also design and implement event streaming pipelines using Apache Kafka to manage high-throughput alarm and monitoring data. Furthermore, the role involves creating and evolving REST APIs that will be utilized by monitoring dashboards and other downstream systems. The engineer will be tasked with building and maintaining CI/CD pipelines using GitLab CI, writing automated unit and integration tests to ensure software quality, and collaborating with accelerator operators to understand their operational needs and translate them into robust software solutions.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must have a background in backend software development or a closely related field. A good understanding of distributed systems, microservices, and event-driven architectures is essential. Familiarity with data processing concepts and streaming frameworks, particularly Apache Kafka, is considered an asset. The ideal candidate should have experience in core Java and its ecosystem, hands-on exposure to the Spring Framework (including Spring Boot), and knowledge of REST API design and development. Familiarity with Git and CI/CD tools, as well as containerization and orchestration tools like Docker/Podman and Kubernetes, is also required. Experience with SQL-based databases and working knowledge of Python would be advantageous. Proficiency in spoken and written English is mandatory, and a commitment to learning French is expected.

Educational Background:
Applicants must hold a Bachelor's or Master's degree in Computer Science, Software Engineering, or a related field. Candidates without a university degree are not eligible for this position, and those with a PhD are also excluded from consideration. The educational qualification must be completed by the application deadline, and candidates should have a maximum of two years of professional experience since graduation.

Experience:
The position requires candidates to have a maximum of two years of professional experience in a relevant field since their graduation. This experience should be in backend software development or a closely related role, ensuring that the candidate is well-prepared to contribute effectively to the team and the projects at CERN.

Languages:
Fluency in spoken and written English is mandatory for this position. Candidates are also expected to demonstrate a commitment to learning French, which is considered beneficial for effective communication within the organization and the local community.

Additional Notes:
The application deadline for this position is set for May 27, 2026, at 23:59 CEST. The contract duration is initially for 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 job offers flexibility with a hybrid working model. The target start date for the position is September 1, 202

• The job reference number is BE-CSS-DSP-2026-134-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, and a relocation package depending on individual circumstances. Additionally, the position offers opportunities for on-the-job and formal training, including language classes.