Linux System Engineer (BE-CEM-EDL-2024-179-GRAP)

CERN – European Organization for Nuclear Research

Organisation/Company CERN – European Organization for Nuclear Research Department Human Resources Research Field Computer science » Computer systems Researcher Profile Recognised Researcher (R2) Positions Master Positions Country Switzerland Application Deadline 9 Mar 2025 – 23:59 (Europe/Zurich) Type of Contract Temporary Job Status Full-time Is the job funded through the EU Research Framework Programme? Not funded by a EU programme Is the Job related to staff position within a Research Infrastructure? No

Offer Description

Your responsibilities

As a Linux System Engineer, you will join the Electronics Design & Low Level Software (EDL) section. The section is responsible for the development and support of low-level software for the control of the electronic modules.

The accelerator complex is managed by computers running Linux, currently CentOS7, with a transition to a custom Linux distribution developed at CERN, based on a vanilla Linux kernel and Debian. This shift focuses on enhancing user experience and leveraging DevOps techniques to improve productivity, particularly in software building, releasing, and deploying. By adopting continuous integration (CI), automated testing, and deployment workflows, the goal is to reduce downtime, ensure faster delivery of updates, and maintain the stability of critical systems in a high-demand environment. Furthermore, it aims to improve system security, flexibility, and performance through a modular Linux setup, where new features and updates can be tailored to CERN’s specific needs.

In this position, you will:
• Design new workflows to optimize Linux operating system usage in accelerator systems;
• Prepare and contribute to OS upgrades: kernel patches, builds, and updates to keep systems running stably;
• Package software and firmware for Debian, ensuring seamless integration and functionality in critical environments;
• Streamline development by working on CI pipelines, driving efficiency and automation.

Minimum Requirements

• Experience with basic administration of Linux systems;
• Experience configuring the Linux kernel;
• Experience using GitLab/GitHub for development workflow;
• Experience working with the make build system;
• Knowledge of packaging software for Linux;
• Experience implementing Continuous Integration (CI) and Continuous Deployment (CD) pipelines;
• Experience programming in Bash, C, and Python.

Advantageous Experience

• Advanced Linux systems administration;
• Familiarity with the CMake build system;
• Experience with Debian packaging;
• Fluent in English; ability to work in French is an advantage;
• You have a professional background in Linux System 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

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

Working hours: 40 hours per week.

Field of work: Software Engineering and IT.

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 collide at close to the speed of light. This process provides insights into the fundamental laws of nature.

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.

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