Safety and Controls Engineer for the CMS Experiment CERN

Job description

What you'll do

Join the CERN team working on the Compact Muon Solenoid (CMS) experiment, one of the most advanced scientific instruments in operation. In this role, you will design, develop, test, procure, implement, operate and commission highly reliable PLC-based SCADA systems for detector control (DCS) and environmental safety and protection (SEP), supporting next-generation upgrades such as the High Granularity Calorimeter (HGCAL) and Tracker detectors. You will ensure safe and stable operation in extreme conditions by implementing monitoring and feedback systems that manage temperature, humidity, and cooling processes, contributing to the long-term performance of critical particle detection infrastructure. This position is to develop and commission the full DCS/SEP for the HGCAL

Your responsibilities

Coordinate a team of experts from the HGCAL CMS detector system to ensure coherence and synergy with the rest of CMS. Ensure this coherence continues throughout the procurement, construction, commissioning, and operational phases of the overall SEP/DCS.

Finalise the development, procurement and implementation of the necessary hardware for the HGCAL SEP, including PLCs, environmental sensors, and intermediate hardware (e.g. multiplexers for temperature sensors) at all levels on the surface at the CMS site: from single cassette tests (warm), multi-cassettes (up to 10 at a time, warm and cold), HGCAL sectors (up to 55 cassettes, warm and cold) and full endcaps (330 cassettes per endcap warm and cold).

Develop the DCS software tree for control and monitoring of all HGCAL hardware, such that rapid identification of issues by non-experts (e.g. by the CMS Technical Shifter) and semi experts (HGCAL on-call personnel) is fast and efficient.

Finalize the SEP and DCS for commissioning and operation of the full HGCAL underground, installed in CMS.

Help ensure the HGCAL feedback control and monitoring for the thermal screen and cooling are fully developed, tested, and debugged (working with mechanical engineers, etc.).

Develop and test the action matrices for the HGCAL SEP at all levels to ensure safe and efficient operation of the HGCAL.

Ensure the proper documentation of the SEP and DCS is updated and stored, in order to integrate the HGCAL DCS and SEP into the central CMS system.

Your profile

A strong track record in the design, implementation, testing, operation, and maintenance of large PLC-based SCADA systems, including the development of feedback loops and interlock mechanisms.

Proven ability to program PLCs and develop/maintain software to interface to PLCs and monitor/archive sensor-based data and execute actions according to the data, such as alarming and interlocking.

Skills in evaluating environmental sensors (e.g. humidity, temperature, smoke) for long-term reliable performance in harsh environments. Experience evaluating such sensors in high magnetic and radiation fields will be an advantage.

Proven experience with industrial control software (e.g. WinCC-OA) for the monitoring and control of large, complex systems.

Your skills

Configuration and implementation of industrial data-acquisition, monitoring and control systems.

Design and implementation of safety interlock systems.

Construction, test and commissioning of electrical circuits and networks.

Testing and measurement of front-end electronics for analogue sensors and transducers.

Installation, operation and maintenance of industrial data-acquisition, monitoring and control systems.

Drives work / projects along and sees them through to their conclusion.

Works well in groups and readily fits into a team; participates fully and takes an active role in team activities.

Is willing to work on different projects simultaneously.

Takes initiative beyond regular tasks and makes things happen.

Expresses opinions, ideas and suggestions with conviction and in a logical/structured manner; keeps to the point.

Spoken and written English, with a commitment to learn French.

Employment conditions

A valid driving licence.

Work during nights, Sundays and official holidays, when required by the needs of the Organization.

Work in Radiation Areas.

Interventions in underground installations.

For detailed information about this position and to submit your application, please

refer to the company's careers website via the link below.

https://careers.cern/jobs/ep-cms-ec-2026-119-ld/

Job location

Switzerland