OpenStack Cloud Engineer (IT-CD-CLI-2026-180-GRAE)

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CERN is seeking an OpenStack Cloud Engineer to run and evolve its OpenStack based cloud that underpins CERN and LHC services. You will operate compute, storage, networking and automation, develop Python tooling, and collaborate with the upstream OpenStack community and diverse user groups to scale services. The ideal candidate has Linux server experience, Python automation skills, and familiarity with cloud platforms or distributed systems; Ansible or Puppet, containers, CI/CD or SDN experience is a plus. Eligibility requires CERN Member State nationality, a maximum of two years post graduation experience, and a Bachelor's or Master’s degree. Closing date 10 August 2026; 24 month contract onsite Geneva with hybrid work; start 1 November 2026. To stand out, tailor your CV to OpenStack projects and open source contributions and highlight international collaboration and willingness to learn French.

Job Description

Are you passionate about cloud infrastructure and curious about how large-scale services are operated and evolved? Join CERN's IT Cloud team and help run and develop the OpenStack-based cloud infrastructure that underpins most CERN and LHC experiment services. In this role, you will work on the systems and software that provide compute, storage, networking and automation capabilities to thousands of users across the organisation.

You will collaborate closely with experienced engineers, the upstream OpenStack community, and CERN's diverse user communities, gaining hands-on experience operating and evolving one of the world's largest scientific clouds. From service reliability and automation to feature development and large-scale operations, you will help deliver infrastructure that enables cutting-edge research.

If you enjoy solving complex technical challenges, contributing to open-source software, and working with infrastructure at scale, come join us!

Your responsibilities

• Run and help evolve CERN IT's OpenStack-based cloud infrastructure.
• Contribute to the operation and development of cloud services, including compute, storage, networking and related infrastructure components.
• Develop and maintain automation and tooling using Python and configuration management systems.
• Work closely with other IT teams and user communities to design and integrate new capabilities and services.
• Contribute bug fixes and improvements upstream, leveraging CERN's strong links with the OpenStack open-source community.
• Participate in troubleshooting and performance optimisation of large-scale distributed systems.
• Further enhance the service's automation to ensure scalability and manageability.

Your profile

• Experience administering or working with Linux systems in a server or data-centre environment.
• Experience writing Python scripts or applications for automation or systems tasks.
• Familiarity with cloud platforms, virtualisation technologies or distributed systems is a plus.
• Experience with configuration management tools such as Puppet or Ansible is a plus.
• Experience with container technologies, CI/CD systems or software-defined networking is a plus.
• Contributions to open-source projects or upstream communities are a plus.

Skills

• Strong knowledge of the Linux operating system.
• Experience with git version control.
• Programming experience in Python.
• Interest in cloud infrastructure and large-scale distributed systems.
• Familiarity with configuration management systems (e.g. Puppet or Ansible) is a plus.
• Understanding of networking concepts and storage technologies is a plus.
• Ability to collaborate in a multidisciplinary, international team and communicate clearly.
• 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 or a related field (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-November-2026

Job reference: IT-CD-CLI-2026-180-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