JOB DESCRIPTION

CERN Position: Network Engineer (IT-CS-DO-2025-159-LD)

Location: Geneva, ch

Company Description:

At CERN, the European Organisation 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.

Job Description:

Introduction

Do you have the networking engineering experience to help us operating and monitoring these networks to ensure the quality of service delivered to our various users?

The Communication Systems (CS) Group in CERN’s Information Technology (IT) Department is responsible for high-performance networks supporting CERN’s accelerators, experiments and physics programme. These networks include a mission-critical network for the accelerator infrastructure, two high-capacity datacentre networks with multiple high-bandwidth links to GÉANT, ESnet and our international partners, together with a campus network including a controller-based Wi-Fi system with over 5,000 access points supporting up to 10,000 simultaneous devices and fully integrated with eduroam.

Functions

As a Computing Engineer in the Communication Systems Group within the IT Department, you will:

• Participate in the operation and development of CERN’s network infrastructures;
• Provide expert advice for debugging and troubleshooting complex problems;
• Implement or propose developments leading to simplified and scalable operation of the networks;
• Interpret users’ needs, design suitable connectivity solutions and oversee their proper implementation;
• Follow-up technical issues and feature requests with equipment vendors, ensuring CERN’s interests and needs are adequately met.

Qualifications:

Master”s degree or equivalent relevant experience in the field of Computer Science or a related field.

Experience:

The experience required for this post is:

• Experience in debugging and troubleshooting networking issues, from the physical layer to routing protocols running on equipment and including, if relevant, experience troubleshooting Wi-Fi related radio-frequency issues;
• Proven experience with SNMP and other network monitoring protocols;
• Experience in using, configuring and operating a network monitoring system (ie. Nagios, Spectrum etc.) would be a significant advantage;
• Proven experience in designing and operating campus or data centre networks at scale;
• Experience in designing and operating wireless networks would be a plus;
• Experience in maintaining regular interactions and relationships with manufacturers;
• Experience in software development and knowledge of scripting languages (i.e. Python or Perl) would be a plus.

Technical competencies:

• Administration of networks;
• Knowledge of communication technologies and protocols;
• Operation and maintenance of networks;
• Design of Data Networks.

Behavioural competencies:

• Achieving Results: delivering high quality work on time and fulfilling expectations.
• Working in Teams: building and maintaining constructive and effective work relationships; sharing and letting others participate in own work/project; encouraging team development.
• Managing Self: remaining objective, focused and productive in a stressful environment; focusing on solutions rather than problems.
• Communicating Effectively: delivering presentations in a structured and clear way; adjusting style and content to the audience; responding calmly and confidently to questions; ensuring that information, procedures and decisions are appropriately documented.
• Solving Problems: identifying, defining and assessing problems, taking action to address them.

Language skills:

Spoken and written English, with a commitment to learn French.

Additional Information:

Eligibility and closing date:

Diversity has been an integral part of CERN”s mission since its foundation and is an established value of the Organisation. Employing a diverse workforce is central to our success. We welcome applications from all Member States and Associate Member States.

This vacancy will be filled as soon as possible, and applications should normally reach us no later than 12.10.2025 at 23:59 CEST.

Employment Conditions

Contract type: Limited duration contract (5 years). Subject to certain conditions, holders of limited-duration contracts may apply for an indefinite position.

Working Hours: 40 hours per week

This position involves:

• Work in Radiation Areas.
• Residence in the immediate vicinity of the Organisation”s installations.
• Interventions in underground installations.
• Work during nights, Sundays and official holidays, when required by the needs of the Organisation.
• The chosen candidate may have to intervene on site in radiation areas etc. Not expected to be highly regular.

Job grade: 6-7

Job reference: IT-CS-DO-2025-159-LD

Benchmark Job Title: Computing Engineer

Level of Education: Master Degree

Work Hours: 8

Experience in Months: 24

Level of Education: Master Degree

Work Hours: 8

Experience in Months: 24

Organization: European Organization for Nuclear Research (CERN)