Controls Engineer (EP-DT-FS-2025-100-GRAE)

Job Description

Your responsibilities

Join the cutting-edge world of particle physics and contribute to one of the most advanced scientific facilities on the planet. As part of the Phase II upgrades for the ATLAS and CMS experiments at CERN, you will help deliver and commission critical CO₂ detector cooling control systems.

This role offers a unique opportunity to apply your technical expertise in automation and controls in a highly collaborative, international environment.

Key responsibilities:

• Participate in the deployment and commissioning of the CO₂ detector cooling control systems, with a focus on the Surface Storage subsystem.
• Develop and program PLC and SCADA systems using the CERN UNICOS CPC 6 framework.
• Draft and validate functional analysis documents to guide system behaviour, and safety logic.
• Prepare test plans and documentation to ensure systems meet operational, and performance requirements.
• Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams across CERN to ensure seamless integration of control systems.
• Lead on-site commissioning activities and provide follow-up on system updates and interventions (FSUs).

Your profile

Skills:

• Experience in electrical and control system design, including component selection and electrical schematics (E-plan knowledge is a plus).
• Proficient in PLC programming and I/O commissioning, with strong troubleshooting and fault-finding skills.
• Familiar with Schneider PLCs and the CERN UNICOS framework.
• Good understanding of process instrumentation and low-temperature system requirement.
• Team-oriented and comfortable in international environments.
• Spoken and written English or French, with a commitment to learn the other language.

Eligibility criteria:

• You are a national of a CERN Member or Associate Member State.
• By the application deadline, you have a maximum of two years of professional experience since graduation in Automation and robotics (or a related field) and your highest educational qualification is either a Bachelor's or Master's degree.
• You have never had a CERN fellow or graduate contract before.
• Applicants without University degree are not eligible.
• Applicants with a PhD are not eligible.

Additional Information

Job closing date: 25.06.2025 at 23:59 CEST.

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

Working hours: 40 hours per week

Target start date: 01-August-2025

This position involves:

• Work in Radiation Areas.
• Interventions in underground installations.
• A valid driving licence.

Job reference: EP-DT-FS-2025-100-GRAE

Field of work: Electrical or Electronics Engineering

What we offer

• A monthly stipend ranging between 5196 and 5716 Swiss Francs (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.

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.

More Information