📍 Job Overview

• Job Title: Cloud Systems Engineer (IT-CD-CLI-2025-108-GRAE)
• Company: CERN
• Location: Geneva, Genève, Switzerland
• Job Type: Full-time
• Category: DevOps Engineer, System Administrator
• Date Posted: 2025-06-12
• Experience Level: 0-2 years
• Remote Status: On-site

🚀 Role Summary

• Drive the integration of new technologies in CERN's private cloud, contributing to the stable operation of service offerings at large scale.
• Collaborate with various IT teams to design new features and integrations, supporting the user community on the adoption of cloud technologies.
• Work closely with the open-source OpenStack community to contribute improvements and bug fixes upstream.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role requires a strong focus on cloud technologies and open-source collaboration, with a significant impact on CERN's scientific community.

💻 Primary Responsibilities

• Cloud Technology Integration: Lead the integration of new technologies, such as Software-Defined Networking or Load Balancing as a Service, into CERN's private cloud.
• Service Offering Management: Contribute to the stable operation of service offerings at large scale, including virtualisation, networking, or load balancing as a service.
• Team Collaboration: Liaise with various IT teams to design new features and integrations, ensuring the successful adoption of cloud technologies by the user community.
• Open-Source Community Engagement: Work closely with the open-source OpenStack community to contribute improvements and bug fixes upstream.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role requires strong problem-solving skills, a passion for cloud environments, and the ability to work effectively in a collaborative team setting.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: A Bachelor's or Master's degree in Computer Science or a related field is required. Applicants with a PhD or without a university degree are not eligible.

Experience: A maximum of two years of professional experience since graduation in Computer Science or a related field is required.

Required Skills:

• Hands-on experience with Linux systems administration
• Experience developing with Python
• Familiarity with virtualisation, configuration, and container technologies (Openstack, Puppet, Docker, Kubernetes)
• Knowledge of networking technologies (Open VSwitch, OVN, BGP) is a plus
• Spoken and written English, with a commitment to learn French

Preferred Skills:

• Experience using CI/CD tools, test automation, and deployment
• Familiarity with cloud environments and cloud-native technologies

📝 Enhancement Note: This role requires a strong technical skill set, with a focus on Linux systems administration, Python development, and cloud technologies. Familiarity with open-source communities and collaboration is also essential.

📊 Web Portfolio & Project Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Demonstrate your Linux systems administration skills through relevant projects and case studies.
• Showcase your Python development skills with examples of scripts, applications, or open-source contributions.
• Highlight your experience with cloud technologies, virtualisation, and containerisation through project examples or certifications.
• Include examples of your problem-solving skills and ability to work effectively in a team environment.

Technical Documentation:

• Document your approach to cloud technology integration, service offering management, and open-source community engagement.
• Include examples of your technical writing skills, such as API documentation, user guides, or blog posts.
• Demonstrate your understanding of best practices for version control, deployment processes, and server configuration.

📝 Enhancement Note: While a portfolio is not explicitly required for this role, demonstrating your technical skills and accomplishments through relevant projects and case studies will strengthen your application.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: The monthly stipend ranges between 5196 CHF and 5716 CHF (net of tax).

Benefits:

• Coverage by CERN's comprehensive health scheme (for yourself, your spouse, and children)
• Membership of the CERN Pension Fund
• Depending on individual circumstances: installation grant, family, child, and infant allowances; payment of travel expenses at the beginning and end of the 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

Working Hours: 40 hours per week

📝 Enhancement Note: While the salary range is provided, it is essential to research local salary standards and cost of living in Geneva, Switzerland, to ensure the compensation is competitive for the role and location.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: CERN is a research organization that operates the largest particle accelerator complex in the world, enabling physicists to study the fundamental structure of the universe.

Company Size: CERN has approximately 2,500 employees from over 600 universities and research institutions across the globe.

Founded: CERN was founded in 1954, and it is a neutral and independent organization, supported and funded by its Member States.

Team Structure:

• The IT department at CERN is responsible for providing and maintaining the computing and network infrastructure required to support the organization's research activities.
• The Cloud team is a part of the IT department, focusing on the evolution and management of CERN's private cloud infrastructure.

Development Methodology:

• CERN follows an agile development methodology, with a focus on collaboration, iteration, and continuous improvement.
• The organization encourages open-source collaboration and contributions, reflecting its commitment to the global scientific community.

Company Website: CERN

📝 Enhancement Note: CERN's unique role in the global scientific community sets it apart from other organizations, with a strong focus on collaboration, innovation, and the pursuit of knowledge.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Web Technology Career Level: This role is suitable for early-career professionals with a strong interest in cloud technologies and open-source collaboration.

Reporting Structure: The Cloud Systems Engineer will report to the IT Cloud Team Leader and work closely with various IT teams, as well as the open-source OpenStack community.

Technical Impact: The role has a significant impact on CERN's scientific community, enabling researchers to access advanced cloud services and tools to support their work.

Growth Opportunities:

• Technical Skill Development: Gain hands-on experience with cloud technologies, open-source collaboration, and large-scale service management.
• Career Progression: With successful performance, there may be opportunities for career progression within the IT department or other areas of CERN.
• Emerging Technology Adoption: Stay up-to-date with the latest cloud technologies and trends, contributing to CERN's ongoing evolution in this area.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role offers a unique opportunity for early-career professionals to gain experience in a cutting-edge research environment, with the potential for significant growth and impact.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: CERN's offices are located on its main site in Meyrin, Switzerland, with a collaborative and multicultural work environment.

Office Location(s): The main office is located in Meyrin, with additional offices in Geneva and other Member States.

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Environment: CERN fosters a collaborative work environment, with a strong emphasis on teamwork and open communication.
• State-of-the-art Facilities: CERN provides its employees with access to state-of-the-art facilities, tools, and resources to support their work.
• Multicultural Team: CERN's diverse workforce comprises professionals from over 600 universities and research institutions worldwide, creating a rich and dynamic work environment.

Work Schedule: The standard work schedule is 40 hours per week, with the possibility of stand-by duty and work during nights, Sundays, and official holidays as required by the needs of the organization.

📝 Enhancement Note: CERN's unique work environment offers professionals the opportunity to collaborate with a diverse and talented team, working on cutting-edge research projects with a global impact.

📄 Application & Technical Interview Process

Interview Process:

1. Online Assessment: Applicants may be required to complete an online assessment to evaluate their technical skills and problem-solving abilities.
2. Technical Interview: A panel of CERN IT staff will conduct a technical interview to assess the candidate's knowledge of Linux systems administration, Python development, and cloud technologies.
3. Behavioral Interview: A panel of CERN IT staff will conduct a behavioral interview to evaluate the candidate's communication skills, teamwork, and problem-solving abilities.
4. Final Evaluation: The panel will make a final evaluation based on the candidate's performance in the technical and behavioral interviews.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Highlight your relevant projects and case studies, demonstrating your Linux systems administration, Python development, and cloud technology skills.
• Include examples of your problem-solving skills and ability to work effectively in a team environment.
• Showcase your understanding of CERN's mission and the role's impact on the scientific community.

Technical Challenge Preparation:

• Brush up on your Linux systems administration skills, focusing on command-line operations, scripting, and automation.
• Familiarize yourself with Python development, focusing on web frameworks, data analysis, and automation tasks.
• Review your knowledge of cloud technologies, virtualisation, and containerisation, with a focus on OpenStack, Puppet, Docker, and Kubernetes.

ATS Keywords: [Linux, Systems Administration, Python, Cloud Technologies, Virtualisation, Containerisation, OpenStack, Puppet, Docker, Kubernetes, Networking, Open VSwitch, OVN, BGP, Agile, Collaboration, Open-Source, Research, Scientific Community]

📝 Enhancement Note: CERN's interview process is designed to evaluate the candidate's technical skills, problem-solving abilities, and cultural fit within the organization. A strong portfolio and thorough preparation for the technical challenge will significantly improve the candidate's chances of success.

🛠 Technology Stack & Web Infrastructure

Cloud Technologies:

• OpenStack (primary cloud platform)
• Kubernetes (container orchestration)
• Docker (containerisation)
• Puppet (configuration management)

Server Technologies:

• Linux (primary operating system)
• CentOS, Ubuntu, and Debian (Linux distributions)
• Apache, Nginx (web servers)
• MySQL, PostgreSQL (relational databases)
• MongoDB (NoSQL database)

Development & DevOps Tools:

• Git (version control)
• Jenkins (CI/CD pipeline)
• Ansible (automation and configuration)
• JIRA, Confluence (project management and collaboration)
• Slack (team communication)

📝 Enhancement Note: CERN's technology stack is built on open-source technologies, reflecting the organization's commitment to collaboration, innovation, and the global scientific community.

👥 Team Culture & Values

CERN Values:

• Excellence: Pursue excellence in all aspects of our work, striving for the highest standards in research, innovation, and collaboration.
• Safety: Prioritise safety in all our activities, ensuring the well-being of our people and the protection of our facilities and environment.
• Respect: Treat everyone with respect and courtesy, valuing diversity and promoting an inclusive work environment.
• Integrity: Act with integrity, honesty, and transparency in all our interactions, upholding the highest ethical standards.

Collaboration Style:

• Multidisciplinary Teams: CERN fosters a culture of collaboration, with multidisciplinary teams working together to achieve common goals.
• Open Communication: Encourage open and transparent communication, with a focus on active listening and constructive feedback.
• Knowledge Sharing: Promote a culture of knowledge sharing, with regular training, workshops, and seminars to support professional development.

📝 Enhancement Note: CERN's values and collaboration style reflect the organization's commitment to excellence, safety, respect, and integrity, with a strong emphasis on multidisciplinary teamwork and knowledge sharing.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Technical Challenges:

• Cloud Technology Integration: Lead the integration of new technologies, such as Software-Defined Networking or Load Balancing as a Service, into CERN's private cloud.
• Service Offering Management: Contribute to the stable operation of service offerings at large scale, including virtualisation, networking, or load balancing as a service.
• Open-Source Community Engagement: Work closely with the open-source OpenStack community to contribute improvements and bug fixes upstream.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Technical Skill Development: Gain hands-on experience with cloud technologies, open-source collaboration, and large-scale service management.
• Conference Attendance: Attend relevant conferences and events to stay up-to-date with the latest trends and developments in cloud technologies and open-source collaboration.
• Certification & Community Involvement: Pursue relevant certifications and engage with the open-source community to enhance your technical skills and professional network.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role offers a unique opportunity for early-career professionals to gain experience in a cutting-edge research environment, with the potential for significant growth and impact through technical challenges and learning opportunities.

💡 Interview Preparation

Technical Questions:

• Linux Systems Administration: Demonstrate your proficiency in Linux systems administration, with a focus on command-line operations, scripting, and automation.
• Python Development: Showcase your Python development skills, with examples of scripts, applications, or open-source contributions that highlight your problem-solving abilities and attention to detail.
• Cloud Technologies: Discuss your experience with cloud technologies, virtualisation, and containerisation, with a focus on OpenStack, Puppet, Docker, and Kubernetes.
• Open-Source Collaboration: Explain your approach to open-source collaboration, with examples of your contributions to open-source projects or communities.

Company & Culture Questions:

• CERN's Mission: Explain how your role as a Cloud Systems Engineer contributes to CERN's mission and the pursuit of knowledge in the global scientific community.
• Teamwork & Collaboration: Describe your approach to teamwork and collaboration, with examples of your ability to work effectively in a multicultural and multidisciplinary environment.
• Problem-Solving: Provide examples of your problem-solving skills, with a focus on your ability to tackle complex technical challenges and find innovative solutions.

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Project Case Studies: Present your relevant projects and case studies, highlighting your Linux systems administration, Python development, and cloud technology skills.
• Technical Deep Dive: Provide a detailed technical deep dive into one of your projects, demonstrating your understanding of the underlying technologies, architecture, and implementation decisions.
• User Impact: Explain the user impact of your projects, with a focus on the benefits they bring to CERN's scientific community and the organization's overall mission.

📝 Enhancement Note: CERN's interview process is designed to evaluate the candidate's technical skills, problem-solving abilities, and cultural fit within the organization. A strong portfolio and thorough preparation for the technical challenge will significantly improve the candidate's chances of success.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Cloud Systems Engineer position at CERN:

1. Submit Your Application: Click on the application link and complete the online application form.
2. Prepare Your Portfolio: Highlight your relevant projects and case studies, demonstrating your Linux systems administration, Python development, and cloud technology skills. Include examples of your problem-solving skills and ability to work effectively in a team environment.
3. Optimize Your Resume: Tailor your resume to the Cloud Systems Engineer role, with a focus on your technical skills, experience, and accomplishments relevant to the position.
4. Prepare for the Technical Challenge: Brush up on your Linux systems administration skills, focusing on command-line operations, scripting, and automation. Familiarize yourself with Python development, with a focus on web frameworks, data analysis, and automation tasks. Review your knowledge of cloud technologies, virtualisation, and containerisation, with a focus on OpenStack, Puppet, Docker, and Kubernetes.
5. Research CERN: Learn about CERN's mission, values, and culture, and how your role as a Cloud Systems Engineer contributes to the organization's pursuit of knowledge in the global scientific community.

⚠️ Important Notice: This enhanced job description includes AI-generated insights and web technology industry-standard assumptions. All details should be verified directly with CERN before making application decisions.