Controls and Automation Engineer (EN-CV-CL-2026-205-GRAE) — CERN
- Location
- Genève
- Contract
- full-time
- Posted
- Yesterday
Role overview
Join the Cooling and Ventilation developers team within CERN's Engineering Department (EN), where you will contribute to the development, commissioning, and maintenance of Industrial Control Systems (ICS) and automation solutions essential to the operation of CERN's accelerators, detectors, and infrastructure.
As part of a multidisciplinary team of technicians and engineers, you will be involved in the specification, design, commissioning, and maintenance of a wide range of ICS dedicated to cooling and ventilation plants for accelerator facilities, experimental areas, and technical infrastructure.
In this role, you will become familiar with CERN's modern UNICOS framework, used for: of CERN
- Join the Cooling and Ventilation developers team within CERN's Engineering Department (EN), where you will contribute to the development, commissioning, and maintenance of Industrial Control Systems (ICS) and automation solutions essential to the operation of CERN's accelerators, detectors, and infrastructure.
- As part of a multidisciplinary team of technicians and engineers, you will be involved in the specification, design, commissioning, and maintenance of a wide range of ICS dedicated to cooling and ventilation plants for accelerator facilities, experimental areas, and technical infrastructure.
- Your responsibilities:
- Gather control system requirements and compile all relevant technical documentation.
- Proven experience in Programmable Logic Controller (PLC) programming.
- Good knowledge of PLC development based on the IEC 61131 standard.
Main responsibilities
- Your responsibilities:
- Gather control system requirements and compile all relevant technical documentation.
- Design automation solutions and control systems for Industrial ventilation and cooling plants.
Key requirements
- Proven experience in Programmable Logic Controller (PLC) programming.
- Good knowledge of PLC development based on the IEC 61131 standard.
- Initial experience in Python programming or other high-level programming languages.
- Ability to read and work with electrical schematics.
- Initial experience in the configuration, programming, and operation of SCADA (Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition) systems.
- Understanding of industrial automation principles and control systems.
- The following would be considered an advantage:
- Experience with SCADA systems in an industrial environment.
- Knowledge of automation theory and industrial process control. Skills:
- PLC programming using SIEMENS Step7, TIA Portal and/or Schneider Control Expert.
- High-level programming languages (e.g. python).
- Version control software systems (e.g. git).
Application process
- Developing Programmable Logic Controller (PLC) applications on Schneider and Siemens platforms.
- Configuring and maintaining Supervisory Control And Data Acquisition (SCADA) systems for Cooling and Ventilation ICS.
- This position offers the opportunity to work on large-scale industrial installations in a highly technical and collaborative environment.
- Develop and implement PLC applications for ICS.
- Define and execute tests of ICS on simulators.
- Perform on-site commissioning of ICS.
- Design, implement, and deploy improvements and corrective actions for operational control systems.
- By the application deadline, you have a maximum of two years of professional experience since graduation in Automation and Controls (or a related field) and your highest educational qualification is either a Bachelor's or Master's degree .
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
- In this role, you will become familiar with CERN's modern UNICOS framework, used for:
- Knowledge of automation theory and industrial process control.
- 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: Fully Onsite Target start date: 01-January-2027 This position involves:
- Interventions in underground installations. A valid driving licence. Job reference: EN-CV-CL-2026-205-GRAE
- Field of work: Electrical or Electronics Engineering Benchmark job: 200020 Computing Engineer
Notes and original content
- Your profile:
- 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: Fully Onsite
- Target start date: 01-January-2027
- This position involves:
- Interventions in underground installations.
- A valid driving licence.
Questions about this listing
What salary does CERN offer for this role?
CERN lists CHF 71'000 - 107'500 gross per year for this position in Genève. 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.
