CERN - European Organization for Nuclear Research

Company DescriptionJob Description

Your responsibilities

Contribute to the development of cutting-edge coating systems for particle accelerator technology.

The Vacuum, Surfaces and Coatings (VSC) Group within CERN's Technology (TE) Department is responsible for the full life-cycle of accelerator vacuum systems — from research and design to installation, operation, and maintenance. The group also operates specialised facilities for thin-film coating, vacuum performance testing, surface finishing, and vacuum-related material characterisation.

This position supports the development of new coating hardware, with a particular focus on systems related to accelerating cavities.

Main responsibilities:

As a Mechanical Technician, you will:

• Design mechanical parts using CAD software (CATIA);
• Produce technical drawings for documentation and for manufacturing purposes, including outsourcing when needed;
• Manufacture mechanical parts using both traditional and CNC machining techniques;
• Follow up the procurement of outsourced components;
• Provide general support to the section in matters of mechanical design and manufacturing;
• Take part in the design, assembly, commissioning, and operation of thin-film coating apparatus.

More information here: https://fcc.web.cern.ch/

Your profile

Skills:

• Experience and/or knowledge in the following areas is expected:
  • Operation of CNC machines;
  • Use of traditional machining tools;
  • Machining of metallic materials;
  • Use of CAD software for mechanical design (e.g. CATIA).
• The following would be considered an advantage:
  • Experience in machining ceramic materials.
• 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 Mechanical Engineering (or a related field) and your highest educational qualification is a general secondary education diploma.
• You have never had a CERN fellow or graduate contract before.
• Applicants with a Bachelor's, Master's or PhD degree are not eligible.

QualificationsAdditional Information

Job closing date: 14.07.2025 at 23:59 CEST.

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

Working hours: 40 hours per week

Target start date: 01-October-2025

This position involves:

• A valid driving licence.
• Stand-by duty, when required by the needs of the Organisation.

Job reference: TE-VSC-SCC-2025-119-GRAE

Field of work: Mechanical Engineering

What we offer

• A monthly stipend of 4624 Swiss Francs (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.

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.