Geneva, Switzerland What you'll do
Our team develops, operates, and supports industrial control system solutions used across CERN, including accelerators, technical infrastructure, and experimental facilities. We provide integration services for heterogeneous equipment and promotes standardised approaches to ensure reliability, scalability, and maintainability of control systems.
In this role, you will contribute to the delivery, operation, and continuous improvement of control system integration services, with a strong focus on OPC UA-based systems and CAN Open devices.
Your responsibilities
- Support the integration of industrial devices and subsystems into CERN control systems using OPC-UA standards.
- Contribute to the operation and support lifecycle, including incident analysis, feedback loops, and continuous service enhancement.
- Supporting integration and diagnostics of fieldbus-based systems, including CAN and CANopen, where applicable.
- Work in a highly heterogeneous environment involving both commercial and custom-built systems, where reliability and maintainability are critical.
- Contribute to the development, maintenance, and operation of validation and testing tools, primarily based on Python.
- Design and execute automated validation workflows and test campaigns to ensure compliance, robustness, and performance of integrated systems.
- Analyse system behaviour and troubleshoot integration and production issues across a diverse set of deployed systems.
- Support users by providing technical expertise, documentation, and guidance on integration solutions and tools.
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Your profile
- Initial experience or strong academic background in industrial control systems, distributed systems or automation.
- Exposure to OPC-UA or similar industrial communication protocols, including basic configuration and testing.
- Exposure to version control systems (e.g. Git) and structured development workflows.
- Experience working on technical projects (academic or professional) involving system integration or automation.
- Experience with OPC-UA is preferred.
- Your studies focused on Software Engineering, Automation or a related field.
Your skills
- Strong software engineering fundamentals (requirements analysis, version control, lifecycle management).
- Initial experience with Python development.
- Initial experience with modern C++ (minimum C++17).
- Familiarity with software testing practices (unit and integration testing).
- Familiarity with CI/CD concepts and automated testing environments.
- Problem-solving skills in diagnostics, debugging and system analysis.
- Knowledge of CAN bus and CANopen protocols is preferred.
- Familiarity with industrial communication protocols or field systems is preferred.
- Exposure to large-scale or mission-critical systems is preferred.
- Ability to learn quickly, follow technical guidelines and collaborate within a team.
- Spoken and written English, with a commitment to learn French.
Global Benefits at CERN
Let's get you ready
Be sure to meet the eligibility criteria
- You are a national of a CERN Member State or Associate Member State. Currently, we cannot consider applications from Pakistani and Lithuanian nationals for positions with a 2026 start date, as the ceiling defined under Article II.5 of the Associate Membership Agreement has been reached.
- By the application deadline, you have a maximum of 2 years of professional experience since graduation in the respective field and your highest educational qualification is either a bachelor’s or master’s degree. You must have a university degree and can’t hold a PhD.
- You have never had a CERN fellow or graduate contract before.
- Please pay attention to the additional criteria and requirements for this specific position and mentioned above.
You will need these documents to complete your application
- Your CV (English or French)
- A copy of your most relevant diploma or a certificate of achievement from your school (if you don't yet have your paper diploma)
- Any document you consider relevant to your application
Your CERNDepartment
Its mission is to lead the development, construction, and operation of advanced particle accelerators, and to provide cutting-edge technology solutions that enable new discoveries in fundamental physics. Committed to promoting a culture of excellence, creativity and collaboration, individuals from diverse backgrounds contribute to the advancement of science and technology, as well as engaging in scientific education, outreach, and broader knowledge and technology transfer initiatives.
Overview of CERN
Discover a world where the impossible is made possible!
At CERN, the European Organization for Nuclear Research, we are pushing the frontiers of science and technology. Our groundbreaking work brings together not only physicists but also a diverse range of professionals from engineering, technical, scientific, and administrative fields. Together, we foster an environment where innovation and collaboration thrive.
Every day, we face exciting new challenges and opportunities to contribute to cutting-edge research that shapes our understanding of the universe. We meet these challenges through the diverse perspectives within our teams, ensuring every contribution is valued and driving our shared sense of inclusion and purpose. Diversity is a core value of CERN since its foundation, and it remains central to our mission and continued success.
If you are ready to be part of a dynamic, inclusive community pushing the boundaries of knowledge, CERN is the place where your curiosity and skills can thrive. Be part of our mission to uncover what lies at the heart of the universe! TAKE PART!
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Still have a doubt ? Here are the most frequently asked questions
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What should I expect during my first week at CERN?
Your onboarding at CERN includes a comprehensive induction programme, which starts with an official welcome session at the beginning of each month. In addition, you will receive important information both before and after your arrival to ensure a smooth transition into your new role. This process is designed to help you get acquainted with CERN’s environment, your team, and the tools and systems you’ll be using.
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How big would the team be?
The size of the team you'll be working with at CERN depends on the specific role and department. Some teams are small and highly specialized, while others are larger and more interdisciplinary. During the interview process, you'll have the opportunity to learn more about the team structure for the position you are applying for. -
What is the working language at CERN?
The working languages at CERN are English and French. However, it is not always mandatory to speak both languages to work at CERN. We offer language training to help you acquiring the other language. -
What support does CERN provide for relocation?
CERN does not offer direct assistance with relocation. However, depending on your role and specific criteria, you may be eligible for certain benefits such as an installation allowance and coverage of travel expenses to join CERN. These benefits are designed to help ease the transition when relocating to the Geneva area. For more information, please consult the “Salary, Benefits and Support“ page. -
Do I need a visa to work at CERN?
Whether you need a visa to work at CERN depends on your nationality and the duration of your stay. CERN assists with the necessary visa and work permit processes for its employees and visitors. The specific requirements will be communicated to you during the recruitment process. -
What would my salary be?
Salaries at CERN are determined by a structured scale. Salaries are based on your role, qualifications, and experience, and are not subject to negotiation. Specific details will be provided as your application progresses. For more information, please refer to the dedicated page.