Simulation and Controls Engineer (BE-ICS-ACS-2026-31-GRAE)

Join an interdisciplinary team of engineers developing accelerator alignment systems for the High Luminosity LHC upgrade. You will work on the Full Remote Alignment System (FRAS), focusing on development of a kinematic simulator for virtual commissioning of the control and protection systems. You will also contribute to real-time software development for the control system.

Your responsibilities:

• Develop a kinematic simulation for magnets and beam elements involved in the Full Remote Alignment System.
• Develop and maintain a test suite based on this simulation, to be used for continuous integration and virtual commissioning of the control and protection layer software.
• Contribute to the development of real-time control software for FRAS based on the CERN FESA framework.
•  Contribute to the development of database-driven engineering tools for configuration of the HL-LHC FRAS system.

Your profile:

• Background in control engineering, mathematics, robotics or computer science, with strong skills in linear algebra and optimisation.
• Ability to assimilate information across a broad range of domains, spanning geodetic metrology, control and estimation theory, functional safety and software development.
• Excellent communication skills, for collaboration and dissemination of results to all project stakeholders.
• Knowledge and experience of automated software testing would be an advantage.

Skills:

• Strong mathematical skills covering linear algebra (coordinate transformations, forward and inverse kinematics) and optimisation.
• Good knowledge of Python.
• Initial experience with C++.
• Experience of continuous integration based on Gitlab CI would be an advantage.
• Spoken and written English or French, with a commitment to learn the basics of the other language.

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 Software Engineering and IT (or a related field such as Control Engineering, Robotics, Engineering Cybernetics, Mathematics or Computer Science) 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.

Job closing date: 23.02.2026 at 23:59 CET.

Contract duration: 18 months, with a possible extension up to 36 months maximum.

Working hours: 40 hours per week

Job flexibility: Fully Onsite

Target start date: 01-May-2026

Job reference: BE-ICS-ACS-2026-31-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.

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