Software Engineer - Control Systems (EP-ADO-SO-2025-83-GRAP)

Job Description

Your responsibilities

Join the ATLAS Central Detector Control System (DCS) team to help develop robust online control and monitoring software for one of the world's most advanced scientific experiments.

You will work with hardware and sub-detector teams to integrate diverse technologies into a cohesive "slow control" infrastructure and contribute to major HL-LHC upgrade efforts. You will also participate in commissioning new underground installations, ensure operational continuity through on-call duties, and support ATLAS and HL-LHC runs.

Key responsibilities:

• Develop and maintain OPC UA servers and SCADA control software for online data exchange.
• Integrate communication protocols (CAN, SPI, I²C, Modbus) into a unified control framework.
• Optimise C++ software on Linux using DevOps tools (Git, CMake, CI/CD).
• Support system commissioning, troubleshooting, and on-call operations for ATLAS and HL-LHC upgrades.

Your profile

Skills:

• Strong proficiency in modern C++ (C++11 and later), with solid understanding of memory management, concurrency, and design patterns.
• Proven experience developing, debugging, and optimising distributed or "online" control software on Linux.
• Familiarity with common C++ development tools and workflows, including Git, CMake, and continuous integration.
• Basic understanding of hardware-software integration in industrial or scientific environments.
• Practical knowledge of OPC UA SDKs and SCADA platforms (WinCC OA preferred) would be an asset.
• Effective problem-solving and communication skills within large, international teams.
• Spoken and written English, with a commitment to learn French.

Eligibility criteria:

• You are a national of a CERN Member or Associate Member State .
• You have a professional background in Software engineering (or a related field) and have 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.
• You have never had a CERN fellow or graduate contract before.

Additional Information

Job closing date: 03.07.2025 at 23:59 CEST.

Contract duration: 24 months, with a possible extension up to 36 months maximum.

Working hours: 40 hours per week

Job flexibility: Fully Onsite

Target start date: 01-August-2025

This position involves:

• Interventions in underground installations.
• Residence in the immediate vicinity of the Organisation's installations.
• A valid driving licence.
• Stand-by duty, work during nights, Sundays and official holidays, when required by the needs of the Organisation.

Job reference: EP-ADO-SO-2025-83-GRAP

Field of work: Software Engineering and IT

Benchmark job: 200020 - Computing Engineer

What we offer

• A monthly stipend ranging between 6287  and 6911  Swiss Francs per month (net of tax).
• Coverage by CERN's comprehensive health scheme (for yourself, your spouse and children), and membership of the CERN Pension Fund.
• Depending on your individual circumstances: installation grant; family, child and infant allowances; payment of travel expenses at the beginning and end of contract.
• 30 days of paid leave per year.
• On-the-job and formal training at CERN as well as in-house language courses for English and/or French.

About us

At CERN, the European Organization for Nuclear Research, physicists and engineers are probing the fundamental structure of the universe. Using the world's largest and most complex scientific instruments, they study the basic constituents of matter - fundamental particles that are made to collide together at close to the speed of light. The process gives physicists clues about how particles interact, and provides insights into the fundamental laws of nature. Find out more on http://home.cern.

We are on a Quest. A Journey into discovery like no other. Bring your expertise to our unique work and develop your knowledge and skills at pace. Join world-class subject matter experts on unique projects, in a Quest for greater knowledge and deeper understanding.

Begin your CERN Quest. Take Part!

Diversity has been an integral part of CERN's mission since its foundation and is an established value of the Organization. Employing a diverse workforce is central to our success.