Hardware Support Engineer; IT-FCS-HP--GRAE

Job Description

Are you a skilled hardware support engineer? Does taking the responsibility of running an infrastructure dedicated to accelerating the development of cutting-edge computing technologies for the research community challenge you? Then, join the Fabric and Communication Systems (FCS) group in charge of procuring, managing, and operating the layer providing IT equipment for the CERN experiments and users community, the Data Centres and associated Computing Facilities.

Are you a skilled hardware support engineer? Does taking the responsibility of running an infrastructure dedicated to accelerating the development of cutting-edge computing technologies for the research community challenge you? Then, join the Fabric and Communication Systems (FCS) group in charge of procuring, managing, and operating the layer providing IT equipment for the CERN experiments and users community, the Data Centres and associated Computing Facilities.

• Ensuring the smooth and reliable operation of this infrastructure. You will actively take part in the commissioning of new systems, in particular the ones part of the computing cluster for the Next Generation Triggers project.
• Running hardware evaluation (including benchmarking activities) and providing support to the user community.
• Focus on the deployment and operations of systems equipped with accelerator cards such as enterprise grade GPU.
• Maintain the existing servers, ensuring optimal performance through regular maintenance and upgrades.

• Interact on a regular basis with industry partners and be exposed to novel technologies.
• Organise topic-oriented workshops.

• Proven experience with computer systems (BIOS/UEFI, x86/Arm processor architectures and virtualization, memory, GPU computing), interconnects (Ethernet, Infiniband) and types of storage drives (S-ATA, SAS, NVMe).
• Experience with management and monitoring protocols such as, but not limited to, IPMI / Redfish, SMART and SNMP.
• Extensive experience with Linux and shell scripting.
• Demonstrated experience with Python.

• Server hardware.
• Python.
• Shell scripting.
• Linux system administration.

• Familiarity with performance profiling and optimisation of applications.
• Demonstrating the ability to perform performance-oriented debugging.
• Proficiency (or willingness to rapidly acquire it) in utilising software configuration management tools, such as Puppet or Ansible.
• The ability to work in French would be an advantage.
• Spoken and written English, with a commitment to learn French.

• By the Final date to receive applications, you have a maximum of two years of professional experience since graduation in Computer Science / Computer Engineering (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.

Job closing date:
11.08.2026 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:
Hybrid

Target start date: 01-January-2027

Job reference: IT-FCS-HP--GRAE

Field of work:
Software Engineering and IT

Benchmark job: 200020 - Computing Engineer

• A valid driving licence.

• A monthly stipend between  Swiss Francs per month (tax free) depending on your degree.
• 30 days of paid leave per year plus 2 weeks annual closure.
• Coverage by CERN’s comprehensive health insurance scheme (for yourself, your spouse and children), and membership of the CERN Pension Fund.
• Family, child and infant monthly allowances depending on your individual circumstances.
• A relocation package (installation grant and travel expenses) depending on your individual circumstances.
• Possibility to extend your contract up to 36 months.
• On-the-job and formal training including language classes.

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…