Performance & Reliability Engineer for Particle Accelerators (TE-MPE-CB-2025-95-LD)

Overview

Join the FCC project and enhance accelerator system reliability and efficiency.

You have:

• Master's degree or PhD or equivalent relevant experience in the field of electrical engineering, systems engineering, physics, or a related field.
• Required experience in reliability engineering.
• Required experience in data acquisition and analysis.
• Desired experience in operation and protection of particle accelerators.
• Desired experience in design and operation of highly dependable systems.
• Knowledge and application of quality and reliability assurance techniques in electronics.
• Analysis and optimization of accelerator performance.
• Knowledge of programming techniques and languages: (Python or similar).

Company Description

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.

Job Description

Introduction

Are you passionate about making complex scientific systems more reliable and efficient? Would you like to contribute to the design of CERN’s next-generation particle accelerator – the Future Circular Collider (FCC)?

Join the FCC project and play a key role in defining realistic reliability and availability targets for the FCC’s cutting-edge accelerator systems.

In this role, you will apply your expertise in availability simulations to identify critical sub-systems. Working closely with system experts, you will propose and evaluate mitigation strategies for potential weaknesses — paving the way to achieving the FCC’s ambitious physics goals. You will be part of a dynamic team of engineers and physicists working at the forefront of particle accelerator technology.

You will join the Machine Protection and Electrical Integrity (MPE) Group within CERN’s Technology Department - a team with deep expertise in accelerator protection systems, reliability engineering, and system availability across CERN’s accelerator complex.

Functions

As a Performance and Reliability Engineering expert in the Controls and Beam Studies for Protection Section, you will:

• Study and document the required availability of future high energy particle accelerators globally and for key hardware systems;
• Develop and improve tools for the modelling of equipment and accelerator dependability;
• Track and analyze faults in CERN’s operational accelerator systems; use these data to improve the availability of current and future accelerators;
• Perform detailed reliability and availability modelling for new and upgraded machine protection systems; translate results into dependability requirements and propose design improvements;
• Supervise students and graduates and actively contribute to knowledge sharing within the team.

Qualifications

Master's degree or PhD or equivalent relevant experience in the field of electrical engineering, systems engineering, physics, or a related field, with a strong focus on reliability engineering or systems modelling.

Experience:

Required experience in the following:

• Reliability engineering;
• Data acquisition and analysis.

Desired experience in the following:

• Operation and protection of particle accelerators;
• Design and operation of highly dependable systems.

Technical competencies:

• Knowledge and application of quality and reliability assurance techniques in electronics;
• Analysis and optimization of accelerator performance;
• Knowledge of programming techniques and languages: (Python or similar).

Behavioural competencies:

• Achieving results: having a structured and organised approach towards work; being able to set priorities and plan tasks with results in mind; being rigorous and producing quality results at first attempt.
• Solving problems: recognizing what is essential; discriminating between important and peripheral information and being able to see the whole picture; being open to original ideas and creative options by which to address issues; continually driving change by seeking new ways to improve outcomes.
• Working in teams: cooperating constructively with others in the pursuit of team goals; balancing personal goals with team goals; working well in groups and readily fitting into a team; participating fully and taking an active role in team activities.
• Communicating effectively: expressing opinions, ideas and suggestions with conviction and in a logical/structured manner; keeping to the point.
• Demonstrating flexibility: adapting quickly and resourcefully to shifting priorities and requirements; readily absorbing new techniques and working practices; proposing new or improved ways of working.

Language skills:

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

Additional Information

Eligibility and closing date:

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. We welcome applications from all Member States and Associate Member States.

This vacancy will be filled as soon as possible, and applications should normally reach us no later than 04.06.2025 at 23:59 CEST.

Employment Conditions

Contract type: Limited duration contract (3 years). Subject to certain conditions, holders of limited-duration contracts may apply for an indefinite position.

Working Hours: 40 hours per week

This position involves:

• Work during nights, Sundays and official holidays, when required by the needs of the Organization.
• Stand-by duty, when required by the needs of the Organization.

Job grade: 6-7

Job reference: TE-MPE-CB-2025-95-LD

Benchmark Job Title: Electrical Engineer

Apply now

Potential interview questions

Added 4 days ago - Updated 4 hours ago - Source: careers.cern