DevOps Engineer for Large Scale Compute

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

• It is located 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. The organization operates in 23 member states and has a mission to push the frontiers of science and technology, fostering an environment of innovation and collaboration among a diverse range of professionals.

Job Overview:
The position of DevOps Engineer for Large Scale Compute at CERN involves working within the High Throughput Compute systems that are essential for the data processing needs of the organization. This role is particularly suited for recent graduates who have a keen interest in large-scale computing, automation, and infrastructure technologies. The successful candidate will be part of a team responsible for the batch service and configuration management of IT services, contributing to the evolution of the computing infrastructure that supports the High-Luminosity LHC. The role encompasses a variety of tasks, including automating the delivery of compute resources, developing self-healing infrastructure, and enhancing the toolset used by the IT department to manage its services. The Compute and Devices (CD) group within CERN IT provides a comprehensive range of compute services, from end-user devices to cloud infrastructure-as-a-service, machine learning, and high-performance computing (HPC). As a member of the Compute and Configuration (CC) section, the engineer will focus on services that support the physics community, managing a compute facility that constitutes approximately 20% of the Worldwide LHC Computing Grid (WLCG). The position offers the opportunity to tackle complex technical challenges, contribute to open-source software, and work with large-scale infrastructure.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The responsibilities of the DevOps Engineer include managing a fleet of over 400,000 cores throughout their complete lifecycle, from continuous integration provisioning to automated and AI-enhanced maintenance. The engineer will be tasked with monitoring security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">security threats enhanced by large language models (LLMs) and will suggest, test, and deploy configuration changes on a large scale to production environments. Additionally, the engineer will contribute to the operation and maintenance of the current configuration management infrastructure, which includes tools like Foreman, Puppet, and OpenVox components. The role also involves developing and maintaining Terraform/OpenTofu modules used for provisioning and configuring supporting infrastructure, as well as improving the quality of configuration code through testing, validation, code review, and standardization.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must have experience administering or working with Linux systems in a server or data center environment. They should also have experience writing scripts or applications for automation or system tasks. Familiarity with configuration management tools such as Puppet or Ansible is considered a plus, as is experience with container technologies, CI/CD systems, or Infrastructure-as-Code tools. Knowledge of Linux, programming or scripting languages such as Python or Go, and familiarity with git for distributed version control are highly desirable. Additionally, knowledge of configuration management tools and Infrastructure as Code tools like Terraform or OpenTofu would be beneficial. Any experience with batch systems such as HTCondor, SLURM, or kueue would also be advantageous.

Educational Background:
Candidates must hold a Bachelor's or Master's degree in Computer Science or a related field. It is essential that applicants have graduated within the last two years and have not previously held a CERN fellow or graduate contract. Those without a university degree or with a PhD are not eligible for this position.

Experience:
The position requires a maximum of two years of professional experience since graduation. This experience should be relevant to the field of computer science or a closely related area, ensuring that candidates are well-prepared to take on the responsibilities of the role.

Languages:
Fluency in spoken and written English is mandatory, as it is the working language at CERN. Candidates should also demonstrate a commitment to learning French, which is beneficial for integration into the local community and workplace.

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 job offers flexibility with a hybrid working model. The target start date for this position is December 1, 202

• The role may require stand-by duty and work during nights, Sundays, and official holidays, depending on the needs of the organization. The job reference is IT-CD-CC-2026-223-GRAE, and it falls under the field of Information Technologies, benchmarked as Computing Engineer. The compensation includes a monthly net stipend ranging from 5,266 to 5,793 Swiss Francs, depending on the candidate's degree, 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.