Introduction

Are you passionate about software craftsmanship, do you love acquiring new skills, and exploring learning opportunities? Would you like to design and develop software for one of the world’s most complex technical instruments? Be a part of something bigger; CERN, take part!

Your job will be to take a central role in maintaining and evolving the CERN Industrial Controls Frameworks JCOP and UNICOS, used by a community of more than 1000 users world-wide. The work will focus on the SCADA layer of the Frameworks, which builds on top of WinCC Open Architecture. In particular you will be designing, developing and supporting the required tools, technologies, and services to implement large distributed control systems for CERN’s accelerators, particle detectors and technical infrastructure.

You will join:

•   The Beams Department (BE) in charge of the exploitation of the largest accelerator complex and its technical infrastructure;

•   The Industrial Control Systems Group (ICS) whose activities include the development and support of CERN’s Industrial Control Frameworks based on industry standards and used in more than 800 mission-critical control systems at CERN.

You will benefit from:

• The opportunity to broaden your knowledge and experience into new areas and discover a domain where excellence is the key driving factor.
• Specific training and support for professional development to foster your skills and develop your talents.

Functions

As a Software Engineer, you will join the team responsible for designing, maintaining, evolving, and re-engineering CERN’s Industrial Controls Frameworks, aligned with the group's strategy to modernise, replace, and consolidate legacy architectures and business-critical applications. More specifically, you will take on the following responsibilities:

• Develop software components for all layers of modern control systems for integration in the CERN Industrial Controls Frameworks including gathering of requirements, design, prototyping, implementation, testing and maintenance.
• Provide CERN-wide support on the Industrial Controls Frameworks and on their underlying stack of technologies.
• Proactively contribute to the standardization and optimization of industrial control systems; apply quality assurance tools and methods; monitor and analyze the performance of the running systems; propose improvements.
• Participate in, and lead cross-team technical initiatives and deliver proof of concepts demonstrating product feasibility to the clients.
• Maintain and improve group-wide high standards and guidelines of software engineering practices.
• Identify areas of improvement in the technology landscape of the group, and recommend solutions.
• Mentor junior software developers.

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

Experience:

• Experience in the design and development of large C/C++ codebases.
• Experience with modern software architectures and API design.
• Experience with object-oriented paradigm, design and architectural patterns, and their application.
• Demonstrated experience with end to end software lifecycle (tools and procedures, issue tracking systems, Git and CI/CD, configuration, commissioning, and maintenance).
• Experience with large distributed control systems.
• Experience with SQL and database systems.

Any of the following experience would be a plus:

• Siemens/ETM commercial SCADA package WinCC Open Architecture.
•  C++ Qt libraries.
• Drafting and writing of technical documents.
• Industry standard communication protocols (e.g. OPC UA, Modbus, SNMP) and fieldbuses.
• Planning and coordination of software projects.

Technical competencies:

• Knowledge of programming techniques and languages: deep understanding of object-oriented paradigm (preferably C/C++), design and architectural patterns used for modern industrial control systems.
• Design of databases/repositories: experience with relational databases and database modelling.
• Re-use, refactoring, integration and porting of existing software: working effectively with legacy code through continuous improvement, refactoring, and technology migration. Provide re-usable components that can be shared among multiple controls applications.
• Knowledge of best practices for developing secure software: would be an advantage.

Behavioural competencies:

• Demonstrating accountability: Working conscientiously and reliably; delivering on promises. Taking responsibility for own actions and decisions. Readily admitting to mistakes.
• Communicating effectively: Expressing opinions, ideas and suggestions with conviction and in a logical/structured manner; keeping to the point. Successfully changing other people's opinions by persuasive arguments. Delivering presentations in a structured and clear way; adjusting style and content to the audience; responding calmly and confidently to questions.
• Learning and sharing knowledge: Taking steps to expand knowledge in other areas of expertise beyond own field. Questioning traditional assumptions and ways of doing things. Learning from own successes and failures.
• Building relationships: Showing appreciation for the ideas and contributions of others and encourages others to express their views, even if controversial. Understanding how individual differences bring added value to the Organization; promoting complementarities. Being able to put self in the shoes of others in order to understand their needs and interests.
• Working in teams: Working well in groups and readily fitting into a team; participating fully and taking an active role in team activities. Cooperating constructively with others in the pursuit of team goals; balancing personal goals with team goals. Sharing and letting others participate in own work/project; encouraging team development.

Language skills:

Spoken and written English or French: ability to draw-up technical specifications and/or scientific reports and to make oral presentations in at least one of the two languages. And a willingness to learn the other language. 

Eligibility and closing date:

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. 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 12:00 midday CEST 26th October 2022. 

Employment Conditions

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

These functions require:

• Work during nights, Sundays and official holidays, when required by the needs of the Organization.
• Stand-by duty, when required by the needs of the Organization.

Job grade: 6-7

Job reference: BE-ICS-FT-2022-112-LD

Benchmark Job Title: Computing Engineer