Job Description

Are you an experienced Software Engineer with a passion for low-level, real-time systems? Join the Timing team in the Controls Software & Services group, to work on real-time software for the largest particle physics laboratory in the world.

ISOLDE, one of CERN's accelerator facilities, is undergoing a major upgrade, including its timing system to rely on the White Rabbit technology. Our team is responsible for designing, developing, and deploying the C++ software that generates the timing pulses used to synchronise accelerator equipment, and you will be involved in all aspects of this project.

Your responsibilities:

• Learn about the White Rabbit timing system, hardware modules and our real-time software framework for equipment control.
• Contribute to the design of the new ISOLDE timing system.
• Develop and commission the timing system.
• Participate in the design of the software which controls the White Rabbit hardware modules used to synchronise equipment.
• Develop the software following the design.
• Contribute to the adaptation of the existing real-time software to the new timing system.

More information here.

Your profile:

• Proven experience in C++ development, in a Linux (or Unix-like) environment, including practical experience developing real-time systems.
• Experience with low-level development, libraries and kernel modules.
• Experience applying software quality assurance techniques and practice with corresponding tools.

Skills:

• Hands-on C++ development.
• Knowledge of Linux, low-level libraries and kernel modules.
• Knowledge of programming techniques and languages on backends and embedded systems.
• Very good knowledge of object-oriented programming principles.
• Knowledge and application of software life-cycle tools and procedures including DevOps.
• Familiarity with testing, diagnosing and optimisation of software.
• Monitoring and troubleshooting of operational software systems.
• Spoken and written English, with a commitment to learn French.

Eligibility criteria:

• You are a national of a CERN Member or Associate Member State.
• You have a professional background in Software Engineer (or a related field) and have either:
  • a Master's degree with 2 to 6 years of post-graduation professional experience;
  • or a PhD with no more than 3 years of post-graduation professional experience.
• You have never had a CERN fellow or graduate contract before.

Additional Information

Job closing date: 21.06.2026 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-September-2026

Job reference: BE-CSS-DSP-2026-90-GRAP

Field of work: Software Engineering and IT

Benchmark job: 200020 - Computing Engineer

Global Benefits

• A monthly stipend between 6372-7004 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