Mechanical Engineer - Thin Film Coatings (TE-VSC-SCC-2026-84-GRAP)

Join the Vacuum, Surfaces and Coatings group in the Technology Department and contribute to the Beam Screen Treatment (BST) project at the Large Hadron Collider (LHC). This project will apply a thin carbon coating in situ to the LHC's cryogenic beam pipes during the upcoming Long Shutdown, an essential step to unlock the accelerator's future performance.

After a short hands-on training, you will be directly involved in assembling and commissioning advanced coating systems. You will then take on a leading role in deploying the coating process in the LHC tunnel, working at the heart of one of the world's most complex scientific instruments.

Your responsibilities

• Get trained and operate the coating systems for depositing carbon thin films in the LHC beam lines.
• Be part and lead a team deploying the coating in the LHC tunnel.
• Train the team members on the operation of the coating systems.
• Produce the documentation for follow-up of the coating process for quality insurance.
• Report to the engineer in charge for ensuring smooth coordination with the other teams.
• Propose ways to improve existing coating systems, procedures, and methodologies.
• Take part in the maintenance of the coating systems.
• Work in a multi-cultural team of engineers and technicians.
• This role includes team supervision responsibilities.

More information here.

Your profile

• Practical experience in assembly and operation of mechanical systems.
• Proven experience in coordinating activities on the field.
• Experience in follow-up of process quality.
• Proficiency in designing mechanical parts with CAD software.
• Practical experience in operation of vacuum system and/or coating system would be an asset.

Skills

• Mechanical assembly.
• Team management.
• Operation of vacuum systems.
• Operation of coating systems.
• Quality insurance follow-up.
• Reporting.
• Mechanical design with CATIA, or equivalent CAD software.
• 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 Mechanical Engineering, Material Science (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.

Job closing date: 26.05.2026 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: Fully Onsite

Target start date: 01-July-2026

This position involves:

• Work in Radiation Areas.
• Interventions in underground installations.
• Residence in the immediate vicinity of the Organization's installations.
• A valid driving licence.
• Stand-by duty, when required by the needs of the Organization.
• Work during nights, Sundays and official holidays, when required by the needs of the Organization.

Job reference: TE-VSC-SCC-2026-84-GRAP

Field of work: Mechanical Engineering

Benchmark job: 200090 - Mechanical 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.

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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.

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