Hardware Support Engineer (IT-FCS-HP-2026-192-GRAE)

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CERN is hiring a Hardware Support Engineer to maintain and upgrade server hardware within the openlab testbed, while supporting scientific communities, debugging issues, and installing new technologies. The role also offers interaction with industry partners and opportunities to organize topic driven workshops. Core qualifications include Linux system administration, Python and shell scripting, solid experience with x86 and ARM architectures, virtualization, and storage (SATA, SAS, NVMe), plus IPMI/Redfish, SMART and SNMP. Fluency in English is required, French is a plus. Eligibility requires nationality of a CERN Member State and a maximum of two years post graduation with a bachelor or master degree; a driving license is required. Hybrid onsite in Geneva; apply by 10 August 2026.

Job Description

Passionate about hardware technology and providing support for scientific communities? Join the team in the Fabric and Communication Systems (FCS) group responsible for operating and supporting a wide range of server technologies in the openlab heterogeneous architectures testbed. As a key team member, your responsibilities will include maintaining and upgrading existing server technologies, providing support to scientific communities, debugging system issues, and installing/configuring new technologies.

Your responsibilities

As a successful candidate you will:

• Maintain the existing servers, ensuring optimal performance through regular maintenance and upgrades.
• Support scientific communities: provide assistance and support to end-users, addressing queries and resolving issues.
• Debug system issues: identify and resolve issues promptly to minimise downtime.
• Install and configure new technologies: play a key role in integrating new server technologies into the openlab heterogeneous architectures testbed.

Additional opportunities include:

• Interact on a regular basis with industry partners and be exposed to novel technologies.
• Organise topic-oriented workshops.

Your profile

• Proven experience with computer systems (BIOS/UEFI, x86/Arm processor architectures and virtualisation, 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:

• 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:

• 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 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.
• Applicants with a PhD are not eligible.

Additional Information

Job closing date: 10.08.2026 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:

• A valid driving licence.

Job reference: IT-FCS-HP-2026-192-GRAE

Field of work: Software Engineering and IT

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!

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