Controls and Automation Engineer (EN-CV-CL-2026-171-GRAE)

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CERN seeks a Controls and Automation Engineer to join the EN Cooling and Ventilation team in Geneva, contributing to the design, commissioning and maintenance of Industrial Control Systems for cooling and ventilation plants across accelerator facilities and technical infrastructure. You will gather requirements, design automation solutions, develop PLC applications (IEC 61131), implement Python scripts, define tests on simulators and perform on-site commissioning, then deploy improvements. The ideal candidate has proven PLC programming experience with SIEMENS Step7, TIA Portal or Schneider Control Expert, solid IEC 61131 knowledge, Python or another high level language, the ability to read electrical schematics, and SCADA exposure; English fluency with a commitment to learn French; eligibility includes being a CERN Member or Associate Member State national, up to two years post graduation, holding a Bachelor or Master degree, and no prior CERN fellowship. Tips: tailor your CV to highlight on-site commissioning, ICS maintenance and cross disciplinary collaboration, provide concrete project examples, and apply before 12.07.2026 at 23:59 CEST.

Job Description

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.

This position offers the opportunity to work on large-scale industrial installations in a highly technical and collaborative environment.

Your responsibilities

• Gather control system requirements and compile all relevant technical documentation.
• Design automation solutions and control systems for Industrial ventilation and cooling plants.
• 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.

More information here.

Your profile

• 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.
• Experience with SCADA systems in an industrial environment is considered an advantage.
• Knowledge of automation theory and industrial process control is considered an advantage.

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).
• Spoken and written English, with a commitment to learn French.

Eligibility criteria:

• You are a national of a CERN Member or Associate Member State.
• 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.
• You have never had a CERN fellow or graduate contract before.
• Applicants without University degree are not eligible.
• Applicants with a PhD are not eligible.

Additional Information

Job closing date: 12.07.2026 at 23:59 CEST.

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-October-2026

This position involves:

• Work in Radiation Areas.
• Interventions in underground installations.
• A valid driving licence.

Job reference: EN-CV-CL-2026-171-GRAE

Field of work: Electrical or Electronics Engineering

Benchmark job: 200020 - Computing Engineer

Global Benefits

• A monthly stipend between 5266-5793 Swiss Francs per month (tax free) depending on your degree.
• 30 days of paid leave per year plus 2 weeks annual closure.
• Coverage by CERN’s comprehensive health insurance scheme (for yourself, your spouse and children), and membership of the CERN Pension Fund.
• Family, child and infant monthly allowances depending on your individual circumstances.
• A relocation package (installation grant and travel expenses) depending on your individual circumstances.
• Possibility to extend your contract up to 36 months.
• On-the-job and formal training including language classes.

Overview of CERN - Discover a world where the impossible is made possible!

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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