Software Engineer

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 a mission to push the frontiers of science and technology, CERN employs over 2,500 staff members and collaborates with thousands of scientists from around the globe. The organization operates in multiple countries, primarily in Europe, and is known for its groundbreaking work in particle physics and engineering, fostering an environment where innovation and collaboration thrive.

Job Overview:
As a Software Engineer at CERN, you will be deeply involved in the development, evolution, and long-term maintenance of C++ software solutions that operate within Linux environments. This role requires you to work collaboratively with a team of software engineers and domain experts to contribute to core control applications that manage over 5,000 power converters across the accelerator complex. A significant aspect of your responsibilities will include taking ownership of software classes that support accelerator operations, specifically migrating these classes from the existing FGCDv1 and FESA architectures to the next-generation FGCDv2 framework. This position offers a unique opportunity to blend hands-on software development with framework evolution, allowing you to directly influence the refinement and completion of the FGCDv2 framework based on practical experience and operational needs.

Duties and Responsibilities:
Your primary responsibilities will include designing, developing, documenting, and maintaining modern C++ control software for power converter systems. You will take ownership of software components throughout their lifecycle, which includes migrating applications to the FGCDv2 framework. Additionally, you will contribute to the evolution of the FGCDv2 framework by identifying, implementing, and validating improvements based on practical experience. You will also support software architecture, code quality, and CI/CD practices to ensure that solutions are reliable, scalable, and maintainable. Close collaboration with software engineers, equipment specialists, and operational teams will be essential to deliver robust control applications. Furthermore, this role includes team supervision responsibilities, which will require you to guide and mentor junior team members.

Required Qualifications:
To qualify for this position, you must possess strong proficiency in modern C++ and have experience in Linux-based development environments. You should have a proven track record in designing, developing, and maintaining medium-to-large software systems, applying software quality practices such as testing, code review, continuous integration, and maintainability. The ability to take ownership of technical deliverables, communicate effectively, and collaborate within multidisciplinary teams is essential. An interest or experience in hardware-software integration, industrial systems, or control systems would be considered an asset.

Educational Background:
Candidates must have a professional background in Software Engineering or a related field. You should hold 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. Additionally, you must be a national of a CERN Member or Associate Member State and have never held a CERN fellow or graduate contract before.

Experience:
The position requires candidates to have a professional background in Software Engineering or a related field, with specific experience levels depending on educational qualifications. A Master's degree should be accompanied by 2 to 6 years of relevant professional experience, while a PhD should have no more than 3 years of post-graduation experience. This ensures that candidates have adequate exposure to the field and are capable of contributing effectively to the team.

Languages:
Fluency in spoken and written English is mandatory, and there is a commitment to learn French, which is considered beneficial for the role. This bilingual capability will enhance communication within the diverse environment at CERN and facilitate collaboration with various teams.

Additional Notes:
The job closing date is set for 20.07.2026 at 23:59 CEST. The contract duration is 24 months, with a possible extension of up to 36 months maximum. The working hours are 40 hours per week, and the job offers hybrid flexibility. The target start date for this position is 01-October-202

• Additionally, the role may involve stand-by duty as required by the needs of the organization. The job reference is SY-EPC-CCS-2026-115-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), 30 days of paid leave per year plus 2 weeks of annual closure, comprehensive health insurance coverage, family allowances, a relocation package, and opportunities for on-the-job and formal training, including language classes.