Software Engineer (C++/Python) for Geodetic Metrology Applications (BE-GM-APC-2024-210-GRAP)

Job Description

Your responsibilities

The Geodetic Metrology Group within the Beams Department (BE-GM) provides metrology and alignment for components installed in the accelerators, their beam transfer lines and the physics experiments throughout the CERN complex.

Developing alignment systems that continuously and accurately monitor the position of accelerator components is among these new challenges. Software plays a crucial role in supporting these innovative measurement technologies, not only for automated control and data acquisition but also for data processing, result computation, and related statistical analysis.

In this role, you will: 

• Maintain the software infrastructure, improving existing modules; 
• Identify limitations of problems in legacy code, refactoring and updating it as needed; 
• Develop scalable solutions while delivering strong performance and robustness; 
• Lead the development of high-performance computational code using advanced features of C++; 
• Use Python for rapid prototyping, evaluating theoretical models, and deploying calculation scripts on an existing platform; 
• Design, develop and optimize libraries and APIs. 

Your profile

Skills

Required: 

• Excellent knowledge of Python; 
• Experience in C++ development, including performance optimization and cross-platform development (Windows and Linux); 
• Proven experience in optimizing legacy code and integrating new features without compromising existing functionality, using Git for version control and implementing unit tests in Continuous Integration pipelines.

Desired:

• Knowledge of numerical libraries such as Eigen or SuiteSparse for handling large sparse matrices and performing QR decompositions; 

Language:

• Fluent in English, the ability to work in French would be an advantage.

Eligibility criteria:

• You are a national of a CERN Member or Associate Member State.
• You have a professional background in Software Engineer or Mathematician (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: 04.02.2025 at 23:59h (midnight) CET.

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

Working hours: 40 hours per week

Target start date: 01-March-2025

Job reference: BE-GM-APC-2024-210-GRAP

Field of work: Software Engineering and IT

What we offer

• A monthly stipend ranging between 6212 and 6828 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.