Collimator Systems Engineer (SY-STI-TCD-2025-70-GRAP)

Join CERN as a Collimator Systems Engineer, overseeing collimator production.

CERN - European Organization for Nuclear Research

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Overview

Join CERN as a Collimator Systems Engineer, overseeing collimator production.

You have:

  • You have a professional background in Mechanical Engineering or similar (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.
  • Experience with precise mechanical engineering assemblies.
  • Knowledge of assemblies in ultra-high vacuum environment (desired).
  • Spoken and written English or French, with a commitment to learn the other language.
  • You have never had a CERN fellow or graduate contract before.

Contract

This is a Entry Level contract. More about Entry Level contracts.

Job Description

Your responsibilities

As a Collimator Systems Engineer, you will join the Targets, Collimators and Dumps (TCD) Section of the Sources, Targets, and Interactions (STI) Group within the Accelerator Systems (SY) Department. In this role, you will contribute your expertise to the team by overseeing the production of collimators and masks within WP5 of the High-Luminosity LHC Project.

The role involves supporting critical aspects such as procurement, quality assessments, assembly and testing procedures and management of collimators and masks essential for LS3.

This role offers a unique opportunity to contribute to a crucial phase of the HL-LHC Project within WP5. To prosper and grow in this position, you should possess a blend of technical proficiency, project management skills and a proactive approach to problem-solving.

Responsibilities include:

  • Overseeing and managing the collimators reception tests, quality checks and assembly activities, ensuring adherence to project timelines and quality standards.
  • Providing hands-on support during test campaigns, ensuring a smooth execution and accurate data collection. - Following up with several collimator production activities in industry (in Italy and other Member State countries), including production problems solving. This may involve duty trips.
  • Supervising and managing surface activities related to collimators at CERN, ensuring operational efficiency and compliance with safety protocols.
  • Documenting installation procedures of collimators in the machine, coordinating with other CERN teams.
  • Taking charge of managing technical documentation associated with the production and operation of the collimators, ensuring accuracy, accessibility and compliance with CERN's standards.
  • If project schedule allows, participating in the installation of collimators and masks in the machine.
  • If required, coordinating contracts with industry partners, overseeing shipment logistics, maintaining inventory records and conducting quality assessments of received components.

The responsibilities outlined above may vary slightly depending on the priorities of the project and how the schedule progresses.

More information here: https://cds.cern.ch/record/2928947

This role includes team supervision responsibilities.

Your profile

Skills

  • Experience with precise mechanical engineering assemblies.
  • Knowledge of assemblies in ultra-high vacuum environment (desired).
  • Project management skills.
  • Strong knowledge of mechanical engineering concepts (structural, thermal).
  • Capable of working in diverse, multicultural, multidisciplinary environments.
  • Spoken and written English or French, with a commitment to learn the other language.

Eligibility criteria:

  • You are a national of a CERN Member or Associate Member State.
  • You have a professional background in Mechanical Engineering or similar (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: 29th of May at 23:59 (midnight) CEST.

Contract duration: 24 months, with a possible extension up to 36 months maximum.

Working hours: 40 hours per week

Target start date: 01-September-2025

This position involves:

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

Job reference: SY-STI-TCD-2025-70-GRAP

Field of work: Mechanical Engineering

What we offer

  • A monthly stipend ranging between 6287 and 6911 Swiss Francs per month (net of tax).
  • Coverage by CERN's comprehensive health scheme (for yourself, your spouse and children), and membership of the CERN Pension Fund.
  • Depending on your individual circumstances: installation grant; family, child and infant allowances; payment of travel expenses at the beginning and end of contract.
  • 30 days of paid leave per year.
  • On-the-job and formal training at CERN as well as in-house language courses for English and/or French.

About us

At CERN, the European Organization for Nuclear Research, physicists and engineers are probing the fundamental structure of the universe. Using the world's largest and most complex scientific instruments, they study the basic constituents of matter - fundamental particles that are made to collide together at close to the speed of light. The process gives physicists clues about how particles interact, and provides insights into the fundamental laws of nature. Find out more on http://home.cern.

We are on a Quest. A Journey into discovery like no other. Bring your expertise to our unique work and develop your knowledge and skills at pace. Join world-class subject matter experts on unique projects, in a Quest for greater knowledge and deeper understanding.

Begin your CERN Quest. Take Part!

Diversity has been an integral part of CERN's mission since its foundation and is an established value of the Organization. Employing a diverse workforce is central to our success.

Potential interview questions

Describe your experience with mechanical engineering assemblies and how it can apply to this role. The interviewer wants to gauge your practical knowledge related to the job responsibilities. Discuss specific projects and your role in assembly processes.
How do you manage project timelines and quality standards in your work? This is to understand your project management skills. Pro members can see the explanation.
Can you share a challenge you faced while working in a multidisciplinary environment? Pro members can see the explanation. Pro members can see the explanation.
What strategies do you use for documentation and technical management? Pro members can see the explanation. Pro members can see the explanation.
Describe your understanding of ultra-high vacuum environments. Pro members can see the explanation. Pro members can see the explanation.
What motivates you to work in high-energy physics? Pro members can see the explanation. Pro members can see the explanation.
How do you ensure safety protocols are maintained during engineering projects? Pro members can see the explanation. Pro members can see the explanation.
How do you approach learning a new language, and why is it important for this role? Pro members can see the explanation. Pro members can see the explanation.
Added 9 days ago - Updated 33 minutes ago - Source: careers.cern