Computing Engineer

Job Posting Organization:
CERN, the European Organization for Nuclear Research, is a leading scientific research organization established to probe the fundamental structure of the universe. It employs physicists and engineers who utilize the world's largest and most complex scientific instruments to study the basic constituents of matter. CERN has a diverse workforce and operates in multiple countries, fostering an environment of innovation and collaboration. The organization is committed to diversity and inclusion, which are integral to its mission and success.

Job Overview:
The position involves working at the forefront of applying artificial intelligence (AI) to accelerator control systems and operational workflows at CERN. The successful candidate will collaborate with the BE-CSS group and the broader Accelerator and Technology Sector (ATS) to design, develop, and deploy practical AI solutions. This includes creating LLM-based knowledge assistants and agentic AI workflows. A significant aspect of the role is contributing to the newly established ATS AI Core Team, providing expertise in LLM and agentic AI systems, secure knowledge connectors, and safe agent deployment patterns. The role encompasses hands-on software development, cross-group collaboration, and technical leadership, offering an excellent opportunity to work alongside engineers and scientists from across CERN and to shape the organization’s AI capabilities meaningfully and sustainably.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The duties and responsibilities for this position include: contributing to the AI-driven evolution of the BE-CSS group’s software product portfolio by identifying and implementing opportunities to embed AI capabilities across group applications; designing and developing LLM-based solutions, including a first-line support chatbot backed by retrieval-augmented generation (RAG) pipelines, vector databases, and secure knowledge connectors; collaborating with the CERN IT department to provide the underlying MLOPs substrate; joining the ATS AI Core Team and playing a major role in the rollout of LLM/agentic AI and knowledge systems; contributing to reusable patterns, evaluation frameworks, and safe agent deployment practices across the sector; collaborating with engineers, domain experts, and scientists from across CERN to align AI solutions with operational needs and organizational standards; contributing to other AI-related initiatives in the BE-CSS group and across the ATS sector; and helping define and deliver the central AI infrastructure needed across ATS, contributing to shared tooling, reference architectures, MLOps practices, and evaluation frameworks that enable groups to adopt AI solutions safely and efficiently.

Required Qualifications:
The required qualifications for this position include a Master's Degree or equivalent relevant experience in Computer Science or a related field. Candidates should have solid experience in Python software development, including the design and delivery of production-ready applications in a collaborative engineering environment. Practical knowledge of LLM frameworks (such as LangChain or LlamaIndex) and hands-on experience building retrieval-augmented generation (RAG) pipelines and working with vector databases, chunking, and embedding techniques are essential. Familiarity with agentic AI orchestration approaches and the Model Context Protocol (MCP) is also required, along with an understanding of evaluation and safety frameworks for LLM-based systems. Experience with MLOps practices and CI/CD workflows is necessary, as is the ability to write clear technical documentation and communicate complex ideas to diverse audiences. Candidates should demonstrate the ability to build effective working relationships and communicate clearly with colleagues from diverse scientific and engineering backgrounds, including non-specialist audiences.

Educational Background:
Candidates must possess a Master's Degree or equivalent relevant experience in the field of Computer Science or a related field. This educational background is crucial for understanding the complexities of software development and AI applications in scientific research environments.

Experience:
Candidates should have solid experience in Python software development, particularly in designing and delivering production-ready applications within a collaborative engineering environment. Practical knowledge of LLM frameworks and experience in building RAG pipelines are also essential. Familiarity with agentic AI orchestration approaches and MLOps practices is highly desirable, along with the ability to communicate complex ideas effectively to diverse audiences.

Languages:
The mandatory language for this position is English, both spoken and written. Candidates should also demonstrate a commitment to learning French, which is considered a good to have skill for effective communication within the organization.

Additional Notes:
This position is offered as a limited duration contract for 5 years, with the possibility of extension up to 8 years and eligibility for an indefinite contract tenure. The working hours are set at 40 hours per week, and the job offers hybrid flexibility. The job grade is classified as 6-7, and the reference for this position is BE-CSS-ISA-2026-115-LD. The organization provides a competitive salary that is tax-free and increases with relevant experience. Employees are entitled to 30 days of paid leave per year plus 2 weeks of annual closure, comprehensive health insurance coverage, and various family allowances. A relocation package is also available depending on individual circumstances.