Software Engineer for Distributed Storage Systems (IT-SD-PDS-2025-161-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.

Introduction:

Work with us to evolve the CERN data storage systems used at the Large Hadron Collider (LHC) and at its international partners. CERN is the birthplace of the World Wide Web and one of the world’s leading laboratories for particle physics. Join the Storage and Data Management Group in CERN’s IT Department as a Software Engineer for a unique challenge as the next step in your career. CERN, take part!

The CERN IT Storage and Data Management group operates the core services used by both LHC and non-LHC experiments for data collection, archival, reconstruction, analysis, and global distribution via the Worldwide LHC Computing Grid.

You will join the Physics Data Services team, responsible for delivering reliable data services to CERN and its scientific activities. CERN’s storage systems are continuously evolving to meet the ever increasing needs of users and experiments, both in terms of functionality and performance, while also optimizing operational costs at CERN and its partner institutions. Today, we deliver over 8 exabytes of data per year and manage more than 1 exabyte of disk storage.

As a Software Engineer for Distributed Storage, you will contribute to develop and operate the next generation of storage solutions for high-energy physics experiments. Your work will focus on optimizing exabyte-scale storage infrastructure and refining the application stack for Grid Computing and HPC workloads. You will work with a variety of technologies, including software-defined disk storage, Linux-based disk server operations, and large-scale data management for our multi-petabyte storage farms. Your role will involve designing, developing, and integrating next-generation storage services, primarily leveraging technologies developed and operated by our group in collaboration with external partners.

Functions:

As a Software Engineer for Distributed Storage, you will join the service development and operation activities of the Storage and Data Management group and you will:

• Participate in the core development of distributed disk storage systems.
• Participate in the service operation, troubleshooting and maintenance of large-scale, geographically distributed disk storage systems.
• Contribute to documentation, development, optimization and further automation of storage services.
• Contribute to the evolution of architecture and design of distributed storage services.
• Contribute to change management, incident response and user support.
• Liaise with key stakeholders inside and outside of the IT department.

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

Experience:

The candidate should have demonstrated practical experience in most of the following areas:

• Extensive programming experience in C/C++, Python and Shell/Bash.
• Operational experience with large-scale production deployments.
• Design and architecture of large-scale distributed services.
• Advanced knowledge of Linux environments (system installation, tuning, monitoring and debugging).
• Automation software (e.g. Puppet, Foreman) and monitoring tools (e.g. Grafana).
• Physical, virtual and container-based infrastructure management.

Technical competencies:

• Design of storage systems.
• Development of application software.
• Knowledge of programming techniques and languages.
• Knowledge of storage technologies.
• Operation and maintenance (preventive and corrective) of storage systems.

Behavioural competencies:

• Achieving Results: delivering prompt and efficient service taking into account customer needs.
• Demonstrating Flexibility: readily absorbing new techniques and working practices; proposing new or improved ways of working.
• Solving Problems: seeking and integrating other points of view when tackling an issue; consulting experts in the field and undertaking benchmarking.
• Working in Teams: building and maintaining constructive and effective work relationships.
• Learning and Sharing Knowledge: seeking feedback from colleagues and other stakeholders about ways of increasing competence.

Language skills:

Spoken and written English, with a commitment 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. 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 31.08.2025 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.

Job grade: 6-7

Job reference: IT-SD-PDS-2025-161-LD

Benchmark Job Title: Computing Engineer