Hardware Support Engineer (IT-FCS-HP-2026-191-GRAE) — CERN
- Location
- Geneva
- Contract
- full-time
- Posted
- Yesterday
Role overview
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. of CERN
- 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?
- Your responsibilities As a successful candidate you will be :
- Ensuring the smooth and reliable operation of this infrastructure.
- 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.
Main responsibilities
- Your responsibilities As a successful candidate you will be :
- 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. Additional opportunities include:
- Interact on a regular basis with industry partners and be exposed to novel technologies.
- Organise topic-oriented workshops.
Key requirements
- 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. Skills Skills and/or knowledge:
- Server hardware.
- Python.
- Shell scripting.
- Linux system administration. Additional assets:
Application process
- 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. Eligibility criteria:
- By the application deadline, 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.
Company and context
- 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 knowledge, CERN is the place where your curiosity and skills can thrive.
- Be part of our mission to uncover what lies at the heart of the universe!
- TAKE PART!
- More information about us, here: careers.cern
Additional details
- 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. Your responsibilities As a successful candidate you will be :
- Maintain the existing servers, ensuring optimal performance through regular maintenance and upgrades. Additional opportunities include:
- Demonstrated experience with Python. Skills and/or knowledge:
- Linux system administration.
- Spoken and written English, with a commitment to learn French. Eligibility criteria:
- 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 This position involves: A valid driving licence. Job reference: IT-FCS-HP-2026-191-GRAE Field of work: Software Engineering and IT Benchmark job: 200020 Computing Engineer
Notes and original content
- 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.
- Your responsibilities
- As a successful candidate you will be :
- Maintain the existing servers, ensuring optimal performance through regular maintenance and upgrades.
- Additional opportunities include:
- Your profile
- Demonstrated experience with Python.
- Skills and/or knowledge:
- Additional assets:
- Spoken and written English, with a commitment to learn French.
Questions about this listing
What salary does CERN offer for this role?
CERN lists CHF 60'500 - 91'500 gross per year for this position in Geneva. This is the salary published in the original listing (or, when the employer omits a figure, a realistic estimate for the role and sector) — the calculator on this site converts it to your actual net take-home once cross-border tax and social contributions are applied.
Is this a full-time role, and what type of contract does CERN offer?
This listing is a full-time position. The contract type shown here comes directly from the employer's original posting; always confirm exact hours, notice period and probation length with CERN during the application process, since these details can vary by role even within the same contract category.
Do I need a cross-border work permit for a role in Geneva?
EU/EFTA residents living in the border zone of the country adjoining Canton Geneva can apply for a G permit; the Swiss employer files it with that canton's migration office after the contract is signed. Border-zone rules and processing times vary by neighbouring country and canton, so confirm the specifics with Geneva's cantonal migration office or with HR during the application.
How do I apply for this position at CERN?
Use the "Apply now" button on this page — it links directly to CERN's original listing at jobs.smartrecruiters.com, so your application goes straight to the employer's own applicant-tracking system. Frontaliere Ticino does not collect or forward applications itself.
