Linux System Engineer (HSE-RP-IL-2025-40-GRAP)

Job Description

Your responsibilities

CERN designs, develops, and operates particle accelerators and experiments for scientific research to understand the fundamental laws of the universe. These activities may generate stray radiation due to the interaction between beams and matter. The radiation detectors installed close to the various beam lines and targets allow CERN to accurately monitor radiation levels. Within the Radiation Protection ( RP ) Group at CERN, the Instrumentation & Logistics (IL) Section is responsible for the design and the development of this specialised equipment, as well as its installation, commissioning, operation and maintenance.

Radiation monitoring is essential to enable CERN to operate its accelerator complex and related experiments while fulfilling its legal obligations to protect the public, people working on CERN site and the environment. In this stringent context, the RP-IL Section has developed a new generation of radiation monitoring system called CROME ( https://crome.web.cern.ch ) for CERN Radiation Monitoring Electronics with very challenging performances and reliability requirements.

The new generation of the radiation monitoring system is running an embedded Linux operating system, executed by an ARM-based System on Chip (SoC). The architecture of the SoC is built on the Zynq 7000 platform, which provides a powerful combination of FPGA flexibility and ARM processing capability. Additionally, preparations are underway for migration to the Zynq UltraScale+, which will further enhance performance, scalability, and reliability to meet the evolving demands of radiation monitoring applications.

We are looking for a talented and detail-oriented designer of Linux-based systems for embedded platforms with a focus on ARM architectures, particularly UltraScale+ Zynq devices to join our team.

Your responsibilities will be to:

• Develop, configure, and maintain Linux-based systems and applications tailored for embedded platforms.
• Work on SoC platforms, with a focus on UltraScale+ Zynq devices, to ensure seamless integration and functionality.
• Design, implement, and troubleshoot heterogeneous computing systems based on ARM/FPGA architecture.
• Collaborate with hardware engineers to integrate custom hardware components with software systems.
• Optimize Linux kernel and driver performance for embedded systems.
• Contribute to system security, reliability, and performance enhancements.
• Prepare and maintain comprehensive technical documentation, including system specifications, configuration guides, and troubleshooting manuals.

You will work in an innovative and dynamic environment, collaborating closely with electronics engineers and technicians. This role offers a unique opportunity to contribute to cutting-edge radiation monitoring technologies while engaging in interdisciplinary teamwork to develop high-performance and reliable embedded systems.

Your profile

The ideal candidate will have good skills on hardware/software integration, system performance optimisation, and support innovative product development in a dynamic and collaborative environment.

Required Skills:

• Expertise in Linux operating systems, kernel configuration, and driver development.
• Hands-on experience with System-on-Chip platforms, particularly UltraScale+ Zynq.
• Familiarity with heterogeneous computing architectures and development.
• Proficiency in C/C++, Python, and shell scripting.
• Solid understanding of embedded systems, real-time operating systems, and low-level debugging tools.
• Fluent in English, the ability to work in French would be an advantage

Beneficial Skills:

• Familiarity with FPGA development and integration workflows.
• Experience in HW/SW co-design and optimization for embedded platforms.
• Experience working in an Agile development environment.
• Experience with CI pipelines.

Eligibility criteria:

• You are a national of a CERN Member or Associate Member State .
• You have a professional background in Computer Science / Electronics (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: 30.03.2025 at 23:59 CET.

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

Working hours: 40 hours per week

Target start date: 01-July-2025

Job reference: HSE-RP-IL-2025-40-GRAP

Field of work: Software Engineering and IT

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.