CMS Detector Power Engineer (EP-CMX-SCI-2025-67-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 Electronics or Electrical Engineer keen to join an international team of engineers, technicians and physicists to build a new 400V DC 1MVA detector powering system for one of the largest scientific instruments ever made, the CMS Experiment at CERN’s Large Hadron Collider (LHC)?
You will join the CERN Experimental Physics (EP) Department contributing to the CMS Experiment Systems Group (CMX) within the Safety, Coordination, and Infrastructure (SCI) section.

Operational since 2010, the CMS Experiment is one of the four large experiments at the LHC, based around the world’s largest superconducting solenoid (the “S” in CMS). Between 2026 and 2029 the LHC and experiments will undergo a so-called “long shutdown” so that the accelerator and experiments can be upgraded significantly, in order to be able to collect more ground-breaking data over the following ~12 years.

You will be in charge of the procurement of the new electrical power system, its installation and commissioning on the CMS site in France (close to Geneva, Switzerland) and its operation and maintenance during LHC physics runs. You will also manage, in collaboration with the CMS Safety Office and the CMS Technical Coordination, the electrical lock-out of all the experiment electrical infrastructure, to ensure that the decommissioning of the legacy services is done according to CERN safety rules.

You will also collaborate with the CMS Magnet expert and CERN power converters team for the maintenance and the re-commissioning of the CMS magnet powering circuit after any year-end technical stop or long shutdown.

Functions

As a Power Engineer you will:

• Be responsible for the design and modelling of power electronics components and systems.
• Be in charge of the operation and maintenance of detector power electronics components and systems.
• Take responsibility for electrical safety, lock-out and electrical risk management.
• Support to the CMS Magnet expert for maintenance and re-commissioning after short/long shut-down periods.

Qualifications

Master's degree or equivalent relevant experience in the field of DC powering electrical systems or a related field.

Experience:

• University diploma in Electrical Engineering or equivalent field with demonstrated experience in the domain of power distribution, preferably high current DC powering supplies.
• Experience in designing and modelling of DC power systems, in particular cascaded conversion units, and knowledge of standard modelling tools (e.g. Spice, Matlab Simulink, Comsol).
• Hands-on experience on electronics systems, in particular in measuring and troubleshooting high-power conversion systems, combined with hands-on experience in prototyping and testing. Experience with lab data acquisition systems.
• Significant experience in powering components and their integration within broader systems.
• Experience with radiation and magnetic field effects to power electronics devices.

Technical competencies:

• Design and modelling of low-voltage electrical circuits and networks.
• Design and modelling of DC power electronics components and systems. 
• Operation and maintenance of power electronics components and systems.
• Operation and maintenance of electrical circuits and networks.
• Electrical safety and risk management.  

Behavioural competencies:

• Learning and sharing knowledge: proposing ways to improve or streamline existing procedures, processes and methodologies.
• Communicating effectively: ensuring that information, procedures and decisions are appropriately documented.
• Demonstrating accountability: working conscientiously and reliably; delivering on promises.
• Building relationships: understanding how individual differences bring added value to the organization; promoting complementarities; showing a sincere interest in the concerns and perspectives of others; showing appreciation for the ideas and contributions of others and encourages others to express their views, even if controversial.

Language skills:

Spoken and written English or French, having the ability to understand and speak in professional contexts, with the commitment to learn the other language.

Ability to draw-up technical procedures and/or technical reports, and to make oral presentations. 

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 13.05.2025 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 in Radiation Areas.
• Interventions in underground installations.
• A valid driving licence.
• Work during nights, Sundays and official holidays, when required by the needs of the Organization.
• Shift work, when required by the needs of the Organization.
• Stand-by duty, when required by the needs of the Organization.
• Given the occupational health risks associated with this position, the selected candidate must obtain medical clearance before a contract offer is confirmed.

Job grade: 6-7

Job reference: EP-CMX-SCI-2025-67-LD

Benchmark Job Title: Electrical Engineer

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