Computing 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. It employs thousands of scientists, engineers, and support staff from over 100 countries. CERN's mission is to probe the fundamental structure of the universe, using the world's largest and most complex scientific instruments to study the basic constituents of matter. The organization operates in multiple countries and is committed to diversity and inclusion as a core value.

Job Overview:
The Computing Engineer position at CERN is designed for individuals at the beginning of their careers who possess a strong foundation in Linux and a passion for supporting critical computing services for the research community. The role involves working within the CERN Linux Team to operate, evolve, and support Linux-based services that are utilized by thousands of scientists both at CERN and globally. The CERN IT Linux Service is crucial for providing essential infrastructure to the scientific community, which includes public software mirrors, package build systems, and PXE booting infrastructure. The successful candidate will be expected to contribute to a hybrid environment that includes Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL), AlmaLinux, and Debian, while also engaging with upstream open-source communities to enhance Linux tooling and reliability. This position offers an opportunity to develop automation and tooling to streamline operations and provide support to CERN's Linux user community, utilizing modern DevOps tools such as GitLab CI and configuration management systems.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The duties and responsibilities of the Computing Engineer include: operating and maintaining key Linux services at CERN; contributing to the package building infrastructure for RPM- and DEB-based systems; supporting PXE boot services and associated configuration tools; collaborating with upstream open-source communities and partner High Energy Physics (HEP) institutes to improve Linux tooling and reliability; developing automation and tooling to streamline operations; providing support and guidance to CERN's Linux user community; and working with modern DevOps tools, including GitLab CI and configuration management systems.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must have experience using and managing Linux systems, with basic experience in service operations or administration" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">system administration being expected. An understanding of Linux package management (RPM/DEB) is useful, while experience with GitLab CI/CD pipelines, Python development, and configuration management systems such as Puppet or Ansible is considered a nice-to-have. Candidates must also demonstrate spoken and written proficiency in English and a commitment to learning French.

Educational Background:
The position requires candidates to hold a Bachelor's or Master's degree in Computer Science or a related field. Applicants without a university degree are not eligible, and those with a PhD are also not eligible. Additionally, candidates must be nationals of a CERN Member or Associate Member State and should have a maximum of two years of professional experience since graduation by the application deadline.

Experience:
The ideal candidate should have a maximum of two years of professional experience in the field of Computer Science or a related area since their graduation. This experience should ideally be in roles that involve Linux systems management or related IT functions, providing a solid foundation for the responsibilities of the Computing Engineer position.

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

Additional Notes:
The contract duration for this position is 24 months, with a possibility of extension up to a maximum of 36 months. The working hours are set at 40 hours per week, with a target start date of September 1, 202

• The role may involve stand-by duty and work during nights, Sundays, and official holidays as required by the needs of the organization. The compensation includes a monthly stipend ranging from 5196 to 5716 Swiss Francs (net of tax), coverage by CERN's comprehensive health scheme for the employee and their family, and membership in the CERN Pension Fund. Additional benefits may include an installation grant, family allowances, and travel expense payments at the beginning and end of the contract, along with 30 days of paid leave per year and opportunities for on-the-job and formal training.