Network Engineer (IT-CS-DO-2025-159-LD) at CERN

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Network Engineer (IT-CS-DO-2025-159-LD)
Company: CERN
Location: Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland
Job Type: Contract
Category: DevOps Engineer
Date Posted: 2025-07-31
Experience Level: 5-10 years
Remote Status: On-site

🚀 Role Summary

Key Responsibilities: Operate and develop CERN's network infrastructures, provide expert advice for debugging and troubleshooting complex problems, design connectivity solutions, and follow-up technical issues with vendors.
Key Skills: Network administration, communication technologies, network operation, network maintenance, network design, debugging, troubleshooting, Wi-Fi management, SNMP, network monitoring, software development, scripting languages, team collaboration, problem-solving, and effective communication.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role focuses on operating and maintaining high-performance networks supporting CERN's accelerators, experiments, and physics program. It requires a strong technical background in network engineering and a commitment to learning French.

💻 Primary Responsibilities

Network Operation & Development: Participate in the operation and development of CERN's network infrastructures, ensuring high-quality service delivery to various users.
Expert Troubleshooting: Provide expert advice for debugging and troubleshooting complex problems in CERN's networks, from the physical layer to routing protocols.
Connectivity Solutions: Interpret users' needs, design suitable connectivity solutions, and oversee their proper implementation, ensuring users' requirements are met.
Vendor Interaction: Follow-up technical issues and feature requests with equipment vendors, ensuring CERN's interests and needs are adequately addressed.
Network Monitoring: Use and configure network monitoring systems to track performance and identify potential issues proactively.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role requires a proactive approach to network management, with a focus on preventing issues before they occur and minimizing downtime for CERN's critical systems.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: Master's degree or equivalent relevant experience in Computer Science or a related field.

Experience:

Proven experience in debugging and troubleshooting networking issues, from the physical layer to routing protocols.
Proven experience with SNMP and other network monitoring protocols.
Experience in using, configuring, and operating a network monitoring system (e.g., Nagios, Spectrum).
Proven experience in designing and operating campus or data center networks at scale.
Experience in designing and operating wireless networks would be a plus.
Experience in maintaining regular interactions and relationships with manufacturers.
Experience in software development and knowledge of scripting languages (i.e., Python or Perl) would be a plus.

Required Skills:

Administration of networks
Knowledge of communication technologies and protocols
Operation and maintenance of networks
Design of Data Networks

Preferred Skills:

Experience with specific network monitoring systems (e.g., Nagios, Spectrum)
Familiarity with specific scripting languages (e.g., Python, Perl)
Experience with wireless network management

📝 Enhancement Note: While not explicitly stated, familiarity with high-energy physics research environments and their specific network requirements would be beneficial for this role.

📊 Web Portfolio & Project Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

Demonstrate a strong understanding of network engineering principles through relevant projects and case studies.
Showcase experience in network troubleshooting, design, and optimization.
Highlight successful collaborations with vendors and other stakeholders in network projects.

Technical Documentation:

Provide detailed documentation of network architecture, configuration, and performance metrics for past projects.
Include any relevant certifications or training in network engineering and related technologies.

📝 Enhancement Note: As CERN operates mission-critical networks, applicants should emphasize their experience in high-availability and low-latency network design and management in their portfolio.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: The salary range for this role is not specified. According to Glassdoor, the average salary for a Network Engineer in Geneva, Switzerland, is approximately CHF 90,000 - 120,000 per year. However, this can vary depending on experience and qualifications.

Benefits:

Eligibility for CERN's staff pension scheme
Diverse training and development opportunities
Subsidized meals and sports facilities
Social and recreational activities (e.g., concerts, movies, and sports events)
Generous annual leave and family allowances

Working Hours: 40 hours per week, with the possibility of working nights, Sundays, and official holidays when required by the needs of the Organization.

📝 Enhancement Note: While the salary range is not provided, the benefits package at CERN is quite comprehensive and competitive for the region.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: High-energy physics research and particle acceleration.

Company Size: Large (over 2,500 staff members).

Founded: 1954, with a rich history in international collaboration and groundbreaking research.

Team Structure:

The Communication Systems (CS) Group is part of CERN's Information Technology (IT) Department.
The group is responsible for high-performance networks supporting CERN's accelerators, experiments, and physics program.
The team consists of network engineers, specialists, and support staff, working together to ensure the smooth operation of CERN's critical networks.

Development Methodology:

CERN follows a structured approach to network management, with a focus on high availability, low latency, and robust security.
The organization encourages continuous learning and professional development, with numerous training opportunities and resources available to staff members.

Company Website: CERN Homepage

📝 Enhancement Note: CERN's unique international environment fosters collaboration and innovation, with a strong emphasis on knowledge sharing and continuous learning.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Web Technology Career Level: This role is at the senior level, requiring a deep understanding of network engineering principles and extensive experience in network operation, design, and troubleshooting.

Reporting Structure: The Network Engineer reports to the Communication Systems Group Leader within the IT Department and works closely with other network engineers, specialists, and stakeholders across CERN.

Technical Impact: The Network Engineer plays a crucial role in ensuring the smooth operation of CERN's mission-critical networks, supporting the organization's accelerators, experiments, and physics program.

Growth Opportunities:

Technical Specialization: Deepen expertise in specific network technologies, protocols, or domains (e.g., wireless networks, network security, or network automation).
Team Leadership: Develop leadership skills and take on a mentoring role within the team, guiding junior network engineers and contributing to the team's overall success.
Cross-functional Collaboration: Collaborate with other departments and teams within CERN, expanding knowledge and skills in related areas (e.g., software development, data analysis, or project management).

📝 Enhancement Note: CERN offers numerous opportunities for professional growth and development, with a strong emphasis on continuous learning and knowledge sharing.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: CERN's main campus is located in Meyrin, Switzerland, with additional facilities and offices at various international partner institutions. The work environment is highly collaborative, with a strong focus on international cooperation and knowledge exchange.

Office Location(s): Geneva, Switzerland, with additional offices at international partner institutions.

Workspace Context:

Collaborative Environment: CERN fosters a culture of collaboration and knowledge sharing, with open-plan offices and dedicated meeting spaces for team discussions and workshops.
Specialized Tools & Equipment: The workplace is equipped with specialized tools and equipment for network engineering tasks, such as network simulators, protocol analyzers, and performance monitoring tools.
Flexible Work Arrangements: CERN offers flexible work arrangements, including part-time work and remote work options, depending on the role and team requirements.

Work Schedule: The standard workweek is 40 hours, with the possibility of working nights, Sundays, and official holidays when required by the needs of the Organization. The work schedule may vary depending on the specific network maintenance and upgrade requirements.

📝 Enhancement Note: CERN's unique international environment offers a highly collaborative and innovative work culture, with a strong emphasis on knowledge sharing and continuous learning.

📄 Application & Technical Interview Process

Interview Process:

Online Assessment: Complete an online assessment focusing on network engineering fundamentals, including network protocols, troubleshooting, and design principles.
Technical Interview: Participate in a technical interview with CERN's network engineering team, discussing your experience in network operation, design, and troubleshooting, as well as your approach to network security and performance optimization.
On-site Visit: Visit CERN's campus for an on-site interview, including a tour of the facilities and an opportunity to meet with potential colleagues and managers.
Final Decision: CERN will make a final decision based on your technical skills, cultural fit, and alignment with the organization's mission and values.

Portfolio Review Tips:

Highlight your experience in network troubleshooting, design, and optimization through relevant projects and case studies.
Emphasize your ability to work effectively in a collaborative, international environment, with a strong focus on knowledge sharing and continuous learning.
Demonstrate your understanding of CERN's unique mission and the critical role that network engineering plays in supporting the organization's accelerators, experiments, and physics program.

Technical Challenge Preparation:

Brush up on your knowledge of network protocols, including TCP/IP, Ethernet, Wi-Fi, and routing protocols (e.g., BGP, OSPF, and EIGRP).
Familiarize yourself with network monitoring tools and techniques, such as SNMP, NetFlow, and packet capture.
Prepare for questions about network security, performance optimization, and high-availability design principles.

ATS Keywords: Network Administration, Network Operation, Network Maintenance, Network Design, Debugging, Troubleshooting, Wi-Fi Management, SNMP, Network Monitoring, Software Development, Scripting Languages, Team Collaboration, Problem Solving, Effective Communication, User Needs Assessment, High-energy Physics Research, Particle Acceleration, International Collaboration, Knowledge Sharing, Continuous Learning.

📝 Enhancement Note: CERN's interview process is designed to assess both technical skills and cultural fit, with a strong emphasis on international collaboration and knowledge sharing.

🛠 Technology Stack & Web Infrastructure

Network Technologies:

Routing Protocols: BGP, OSPF, EIGRP, IS-IS, and other relevant routing protocols.
Switching: Ethernet switching, VLANs, and Layer 3 switching.
Wireless Networks: Wi-Fi, including 802.11ac, 802.11ax, and other relevant wireless standards.
Network Monitoring: SNMP, NetFlow, and other network monitoring protocols and tools.
Network Security: Firewalls, intrusion detection systems, and other network security measures.

Network Infrastructure:

Core Network: High-capacity, low-latency network infrastructure supporting CERN's accelerators, experiments, and physics program.
Data Center Network: High-bandwidth, low-latency network infrastructure connecting CERN's data centers and international partners.
Campus Network: Wi-Fi network with over 5,000 access points supporting up to 10,000 simultaneous devices and fully integrated with eduroam.

Network Management Tools:

Network Monitoring: Nagios, Spectrum, or other network monitoring tools.
Configuration Management: Ansible, Puppet, or other configuration management tools.
Version Control: Git, Subversion, or other version control systems.

📝 Enhancement Note: CERN's network infrastructure is designed to support the organization's mission-critical research activities, with a strong emphasis on high availability, low latency, and robust security.

👥 Team Culture & Values

CERN's Core Values:

Excellence: Pursuing excellence in research, innovation, and collaboration.
Safety: Ensuring the safety of people, facilities, and the environment.
Respect: Fostering a culture of respect, diversity, and inclusion.
Collaboration: Encouraging international collaboration and knowledge sharing.

CERN's Approach to Network Engineering:

User-Centric: Designing network solutions that meet the specific needs of CERN's users, including researchers, engineers, and administrators.
Performance-Driven: Optimizing network performance to support CERN's mission-critical research activities.
Secure & Reliable: Ensuring the security and reliability of CERN's networks, with a strong focus on high availability and robust network design principles.

Collaboration Style:

Cross-functional Collaboration: Working closely with other departments and teams within CERN, including researchers, engineers, and administrators.
Knowledge Sharing: Encouraging the exchange of knowledge and expertise among CERN's staff members, with a strong emphasis on continuous learning and professional development.
International Cooperation: Collaborating with international partners and organizations, contributing to the global network engineering community.

📝 Enhancement Note: CERN's unique international environment fosters a culture of collaboration, knowledge sharing, and continuous learning, with a strong emphasis on user-centric network engineering and high-performance network design principles.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Technical Challenges:

High-Availability Design: Designing and implementing high-availability network solutions to support CERN's mission-critical research activities.
Low-Latency Networking: Optimizing network performance to meet the demanding requirements of CERN's high-energy physics research and data-intensive applications.
Wireless Network Management: Managing and optimizing CERN's Wi-Fi network, supporting up to 10,000 simultaneous devices and fully integrated with eduroam.
Network Security: Implementing and maintaining robust network security measures to protect CERN's networks from cyber threats and unauthorized access.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

Network Engineering Training: Participating in CERN's extensive training and development opportunities, including workshops, seminars, and online courses focused on network engineering principles and best practices.
International Collaboration: Engaging with international partners and organizations, contributing to the global network engineering community and expanding professional networks.
Technical Mentoring: Providing technical mentoring and guidance to junior network engineers and other staff members, fostering a culture of knowledge sharing and continuous learning.

📝 Enhancement Note: CERN offers numerous opportunities for professional growth and development, with a strong emphasis on continuous learning and knowledge sharing in the field of network engineering.

💡 Interview Preparation

Technical Questions:

Network Design: Describe your approach to designing high-availability, low-latency network solutions for mission-critical applications.
Network Troubleshooting: Walk through a complex network troubleshooting scenario, explaining your diagnostic process and resolution steps.
Network Security: Discuss your experience in implementing and maintaining robust network security measures, including firewalls, intrusion detection systems, and other network security measures.

Company & Culture Questions:

CERN's Mission: Explain how your experience in network engineering aligns with CERN's mission in high-energy physics research and international collaboration.
CERN's Values: Describe how you embody CERN's core values, including excellence, safety, respect, and collaboration, in your approach to network engineering.
CERN's Work Environment: Discuss your experience working in an international, multicultural environment and how you adapt to diverse cultural contexts and collaboration styles.

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

Project Case Studies: Present relevant network engineering projects, highlighting your role in designing, implementing, and optimizing network solutions.
Technical Deep Dive: Provide a detailed technical deep dive into a specific network engineering challenge, explaining your approach to problem-solving, design, and implementation.
User Impact: Demonstrate your understanding of the user impact of network engineering decisions, including performance optimization, accessibility, and user experience considerations.

📝 Enhancement Note: CERN's interview process is designed to assess both technical skills and cultural fit, with a strong emphasis on international collaboration and knowledge sharing in the field of network engineering.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Network Engineer position at CERN:

Submit Your Application: Visit the CERN job portal and submit your application through the application link provided in the job listing.
Prepare Your Portfolio: Tailor your portfolio to highlight your experience in network engineering, including network design, troubleshooting, and optimization projects. Emphasize your ability to work effectively in a collaborative, international environment, with a strong focus on knowledge sharing and continuous learning.
Optimize Your Resume: Highlight your relevant network engineering experience, skills, and accomplishments in your resume. Include specific keywords and phrases related to network engineering, such as network administration, network operation, network maintenance, network design, debugging, troubleshooting, Wi-Fi management, SNMP, network monitoring, software development, scripting languages, team collaboration, problem-solving, and effective communication.
Research CERN: Thoroughly research CERN's unique mission, international collaboration, and high-energy physics research focus. Understand the critical role that network engineering plays in supporting the organization's accelerators, experiments, and physics program, and how your experience and skills align with CERN's goals and values.

⚠️ Important Notice: This enhanced job description includes AI-generated insights and web development/server administration industry-standard assumptions. All details should be verified directly with the hiring organization before making application decisions.

Network Engineer (IT-CS-DO-2025-159-LD)