Software Engineer for the White Rabbit Project (BE-CEM-EDL-2024-165-LD)

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. Find out more on http://home.cern.

You will join: 

The BE Department, responsible for the beam generation, acceleration, diagnostics, controls and performance optimisation for the LHC and its injector accelerators. 

The CEM Group, responsible for development and maintenance of controls hardware and low-level software, electronics design, production and radiation tolerance, mechatronics and robotics, test and measurement systems. 

The EDL Section, responsible for the development and support of a collection of general-purpose electronic modules for controls and data acquisition. 

Introduction

Are you a skilled Software Engineer with experience in the White Rabbit Technology? Join CERN’s Controls Electronics and Mechatronics group, to work on the White Rabbit technology, as part of the White Rabbit Collaboration (WRC) Bureau, and other software developments with an impact. 

White Rabbit (WR) is a CERN-born technology and now an industry standard providing sub-nanosecond synchronisation and deterministic data exchange over a distributed network to hundreds of users around the world. The WRC launched in January 2024 as a friendly community that brings together all stakeholders interested in the WR technology, to identify common interests and development needs, facilitate adoption of the technology and define its future in a collective way.  

As member of the WRC Bureau, you will support the WR user base and develop/maintain the WR technology in a fully open-source way. 

Functions

As a Software Engineer in the BE-CEM-EDL section you will: 

• Take an active part in the maintenance and evolution of the WR Technology, defining its annual development plan and setting priorities on bug-fixes, new features and extensions; 
• Develop software for the core components of the WR technology, i.e., WR Switch and Node; 
• Participate in the development and deployment of WR-based solutions at CERN, including the new timing system for the accelerators; 
• Maintain software repositories with dozens of contributors; 
• Develop and maintain CI/CD routines; 
• Prepare and deliver training material; 
• Set up test routines and carry out compliance testing; 
• Provide first and second-line support to users.

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

Experience:

Required experience: 

• A record of extensive successful contributions to the software running in the core components of White Rabbit technology: the WR switch and the WR PTP core; 

• Hands-on experience with setting-up and diagnosing White Rabbit networks; 

• Low-level C and Python programming, including interfacing with hardware modules; 

• Development of Linux kernel device drivers, including mainstreamed drivers; 

• User support. 

Desired experience: 

• Experience with CI/CD; 

• Devising and delivering training material. 

Technical competencies:

• Development of software for embedded and real-time systems with/without OS
• Development of system software (drivers, system configuration and monitoring, etc.)
• Testing, diagnosing and optimization of software
• Knowledge of communication technologies and protocols
• Conceptualising, designing and developing user experiences and interfaces

Behavioural competencies:

• Achieving Results: having a structured and organised approach towards work; being able to set priorities and plan tasks with results in mind
• Working in Teams: working well in groups and readily fitting into a team; participating fully and taking an active role in team activities
• Demonstrating Flexibility: adapting quickly and resourcefully to shifting priorities and requirements
• Learning and Sharing Knowledge: keeping up-to-date with developments in own field of expertise and readily absorbing new information Sharing knowledge and expertise freely and willingly with others; coaching others to ensure knowledge transfer
• Solving Problems: addressing complex problems by breaking them down into manageable components Finding the information needed to solve problems; making objective judgments based on all the facts available Testing solutions for long-term suitability, cross-checking with all concerned before implementation.

Language skills:

Spoken and written English in a professional setting; willingness to learn French. 

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.

This vacancy will be filled as soon as possible, and applications should normally reach us no later than 5th of January 2025 at 23:45 CET

Employment Conditions

Contract type: Limited duration contract (3 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:

• A valid driving licence.
• Work during nights, Sundays and official holidays, when required by the needs of the Organization.

Job grade: 6-7

Job reference: BE-CEM-EDL-2024-165-LD

Benchmark Job Title: Computing Engineer

Please make sure you have all the documents needed to hand as you start your application, as once it is submitted, you will not be able to upload any documents or edit your application further