Experienced Electrical Technician (EN-EL-CS-2025-121-LD)

At CERN, the European Organisation 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. 

Introduction

The Engineering Department (EN) pushes back the limits of technology so that physicists can carry out their research. Within the Electrical Engineering (EL) group of the EN department, you will join the Cabling Services Section which ensures electrical interconnections, both signal and power, for numerous components crucial to CERN operation.

Are you an experienced Electrical Technician looking to take part in the design, planning and supervision of the installation of control and power cable systems in a large industrial setting? Join in and contribute to the infrastructures that form the backbone of CERN's accelerator complex. Take part!

For more information on Electrical Engineering Group, please check out this video presentation!

Functions

As an Electrical Technician within the Cabling Section, you’ll play a key role in expanding, strengthening, and maintaining CERN’s control and power cable installations, required for various systems within the CERN accelerators, such as alarm systems, process control systems, beam instrumentation, and magnet powering systems.

You will mainly contribute to the Personnel Safety System Consolidation (PSS-CONS) project, which involves refurbishing the Personnel Safety Systems of the Large Hadron Collider (LHC). Your responsibilities will include preparing the installation of approximately 500 km of cabling to interconnect safety systems, as well as supervising the work carried out by an external contractor.

You will:

• Analyse cable installation requests and liaise with requesters to obtain any missing information;
• Conduct the necessary studies, including the definition of the cable types, the connectors assembly, the wire conventions, the routing and the mechanical supports, in collaboration with users and considering the constraints of the work environment;
• Establish bills of quantities and budgets;
• Organise cabling and de-cabling campaigns with external and internal coordination stakeholders (i.e contractors, transport and handling service, coordination team);
• Ensure the preparation of detailed work documentation (e.g., drawings, cable lists, connector assembly procedures, test procedures);
• Carry out risk assessments related to the execution of cabling work, identifying potential hazards and defining mitigation measures to ensure safety and compliance with CERN standards;
• Manage the logistics required for cabling activities, such as material delivery, scaffolding setup, and site access;
• Organise and manage worksite meetings;
• Monitor and report the progress, the safety and the quality of the works;
• Perform inspection, testing and acceptance of completed work;
• Participate to the standby duty service.

Technical certificate or general secondary education or equivalent relevant experience in the field of Industrial Electricity or a related field.

Experience:

The experience required for this post is:

• Demonstrated experience in planning, preparing, and overseeing industrial electrical cabling; activities, including the implementation of lockout/tagout procedures;
• Strong experience with control and power cables, including their connectors;
• Experience in verifying the technical quality and compliance of cabling installations with applicable standards and specifications;
• Experience in technical supervision of contractors.

Technical competencies:

• Project management;
• Design, construction, commissioning and maintenance of electrical cable systems;
• Design and manufacturing of low and high-voltage cable systems;
• Technical supervision of contracts.

Behavioural competencies:

• Managing Self: taking initiative beyond regular tasks and making things happen.
• Achieving Results: driving work / projects along and seeing them through to their conclusion.
• Solving Problems: anticipating obstacles; assessing alternative solutions in order to have a fall-back plan; identifying, defining and assessing problems, taking action to address them.
• Working in Teams: understanding when teamwork is required to achieve the best results; including others accordingly and sharing information; building and maintaining constructive and effective work relationships.
• Communicating Effectively: listening actively to others and letting others speak; ensuring that information, procedures and decisions are appropriately documented.

Language skills:

Spoken and written English or French, with a commitment to learn the other language.

Eligibility and closing date:

Diversity has been an integral part of CERN's mission since its foundation and is an established value of the Organisation. 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 14.09.2025 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:

• Participation in a regular stand-by duty, including nights, Sundays and official holidays.
• Work in Radiation Areas.
• Shift work, including nights, Sundays and official holidays.
• Interventions in underground installations.
• A valid driving licence.
• Exposure to asbestos.
• Exposure to lead.
• Operations on electrical installations or in their vicinity (over 1000 Volt AC or 1500 Volt DC) requiring a specific authorisation.

Given the occupational health risks associated with this position, the selected candidate must obtain medical clearance before a contract offer is confirmed.

Job grade: 3-4

Job reference: EN-EL-CS-2025-121-LD

Benchmark Job Title: Electrical Technician