Data Engineer (FAP-BC-ENG-2025-94-LD)

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 an experienced and motivated data engineer with a passion for data modeling and modern data architectures? We are currently rebuilding our data platform from the ground up, and we’re looking for someone who can help shape its future. If you’re at ease designing and implementing robust data pipelines, optimizing database queries, integrating diverse data sources, and configuring messaging/event-driven systems, then this is your opportunity. Join an agile team of talented software developers and contribute to application software for CERN's Corporate Information Systems.

CERN, take part!

You will join one of the teams in the Engineering Section of the BC Group (Business Computing) in the FAP Department (Finance and Administrative Processes), where 70+ talented international colleagues are responsible for delivering information systems for all of CERN’s business functions.

The team is responsible for the maintenance and development of the CERN FHR sector's data pipelines covering various domains. (e.g. finances, human resources, procurement...).

The product management driven group supports clients across the whole Organisation (HR, Finance, Planning, Safety, Security, Purchasing, Logistics, and Accelerator Operations). The type of products under the Group’s responsibility ranges from custom-made solutions for a few users to large and widely integrated systems with 15,000+ users. Hence, working for the BC Group provides numerous perspectives for being in touch with different technologies and business areas.

Functions

As a Data Engineer, you will join a self-organised agile product team and you will be responsible for maintaining, evolving, and re-engineering CERN’s administrative information systems, aligned with the group's strategy to modernise, replace, and consolidate legacy architectures and business-critical applications. More specifically, you will take on the following responsibilities:

• Design, implement and test data pipelines for data ingestion and data transformation across streaming and batch data flows.
• Develop data models and architectures; convert data into relevant datamarts.
• Participate in and lead cross-team technical initiatives and deliver proof of concepts demonstrating product feasibility.
• Maintain and improve group-wide high standards and guidelines of software engineering practices.
• Identify areas of improvement in the technology landscape of the group and recommend solutions.
• Mentor junior software developers.
• Provide user support including analysing user requirements, synthesizing, specifying and following-up on both software, and non-software related issues.

Qualifications

Master's degree or equivalent relevant experience in the field of Computer Science or a related field.

Experience:

• Demonstrated experience with SQL, PL/SQL and Oracle databases.
• Being at ease with modern data warehouse design and architecture principles, patterns, and their application in the data integration ecosystems.
• Demonstrated experience with Python.
• Demonstrated experience in the design and development of ETLs built on top industry standards (Airflow, dbt and similar).
• Proven experience with event streaming platforms (Kafka).

Experience in the following is a plus:

• Proven experience with BI solutions and reporting tools such as Power BI.
• Proven experience of modern software development life cycle and DevOps processes (e.g GitLab CI).
• Initial experience in ML/AI projects in industry.

Technical competencies:

• Architecture and design of ICT systems: deep understanding in data architectures and data design patterns.
• Knowledge of best practices for developing secure software; knowledge of vulnerabilities (as defined by OWASP), and how to prevent them.
• Design of databases/repositories: experience with relational databases and database modelling.
• Re-use, refactoring, integration and porting of existing software; working effectively with legacy code through continuous improvement, refactoring, and technology migration; provide re-usable components that can be shared between multiple repositories.
• Knowledge and application of software life-cycle tools and procedures; working in lean-agile environments with methodologies such as Scrum or Kanban, issue tracking systems, Git, dependencies and build tools.

Behavioural competencies:

• Working in teams: working well in groups and readily fitting into a team; participating fully and taking an active role in team activities; cooperating constructively with others in the pursuit of team goals; balancing personal goals with team goals; sharing and letting others participate in own work/project; encouraging team development.
• Managing self: working well autonomously; taking on activities and tasks without prompting; taking initiative beyond regular tasks and making things happen; using time efficiently and effectively.
• Communicating effectively: delivering presentations in a structured and clear way; adjusting style and content to the audience; responding calmly and confidently to questions; expressing opinions, ideas and suggestions with conviction and in a logical/structured manner; keeping to the point; demonstrating a pro-active approach to resolving differences; addressing issues of conflict constructively.
• Solving problems: recognizing what is essential; discriminating between important and peripheral information and being able to see the whole picture; identifying, defining and assessing problems, taking action to address them; seeking and integrating other points of view when tackling an issue; consulting experts in the field and undertaking benchmarking.

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 (5 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.

Job grade: 6-7

Job reference: FAP-BC-ENG-2025-94-LD

Benchmark Job Title: Computing Engineer

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