Mechanical Engineer

Are you a mechanical engineer with an interest in vacuum, cryogenics, and electro-mechanical systems, eager to contribute to cutting-edge projects at CERN? Join the Cryostat and Machine Integration (CMI) Section, an international team responsible for designing and constructing cryostats for superconducting accelerator devices and integrating technical systems within the accelerator environment.

In this role, you will be directly involved in the fabrication and preparation of new magnet cryo-assemblies for installation in CERN's underground galleries as part of the High-Luminosity LHC project.

Your responsibilities

• Manage component supply throughout the project, including assessing needs, adapting to scope and schedule changes, and maintaining component lists and technical documentation.
• Coordinate procurement activities across multiple suppliers, addressing disruptions, delays, and non-conformities in collaboration with the work package engineer.
• Develop assembly procedures, inspection plans, bills of materials (BoMs), and tracking documentation for cryostat variants during LHC Long Shutdown 3 (LS3).
• Review and update engineering documentation to ensure accuracy and completeness for all cryostat configurations.
• Support technicians and quality assurance teams during on-site assembly and assist in resolving technical issues.
• Document process changes and lessons learned to support continuous improvement.
• Interface with other project teams to coordinate their activities with the cryostat assembly workflow.
• Perform thermo-mechanical analyses using analytical and numerical methods (including FEA) to enhance cryostat performance, improve tooling or resolve technical challenges.
• Apply relevant engineering codes and standards (e.g., EN-13455, EN and ensure compliance with CERN safety and quality procedures.

Your profile

• Familiarity with CAD software, FEA tools, and technical documentation practices.
• Proficiency in heat transfer, thermodynamics, and solid mechanics.
• Strong interest in hands-on engineering, manufacturing, and assembly of large-scale scientific infrastructure.

Skills:

• Team-oriented and able to collaborate effectively.
• Well-organised with strong attention to detail.
• Proactive in identifying and addressing technical challenges.
• Spoken and written English, with a commitment to learn French.

Eligibility criteria:

• You are a national of a CERN Member or Associate Member State.
• You have a professional background in Mechanical Engineering (or a related field) and have either:
  • a Master's degree with 2 to 6 years of post-graduation professional experience;
  • or a PhD with no more than 3 years of post-graduation professional experience.
• You have never had a CERN fellow or graduate contract before.

Job closing date: at 23:59 CET.

Contract duration: 24 months, with a possible extension up to 36 months maximum.

Working hours: 40 hours per week

Job flexibility: Fully Onsite

Target start date: 01-April-2026

This position involves:

• Interventions in underground installations.
• A valid driving licence.
• Work during nights, Sundays and official holidays, when required by the needs of the Organisation.

Job reference: TE-MSC-CMI GRAP

Field of work: Mechanical Engineering

Benchmark job: Mechanical Engineer

What we offer

• A monthly stipend ranging between 6287 and 6911 Swiss Francs per month (net of tax).
• Coverage by CERN's comprehensive health scheme (for yourself, your spouse and children), and membership of the CERN Pension Fund.
• Depending on your individual circumstances: installation grant; family, child and infant allowances; payment of travel expenses at the beginning and end of contract.
• 30 days of paid leave per year.
• On-the-job and formal training at CERN as well as in-house language courses for English and/or French.

About us

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

We are on a Quest. A Journey into discovery like no other. Bring your expertise to our unique work and develop your knowledge and skills at pace. Join world-class subject matter experts on unique projects, in a Quest for greater knowledge and deeper understanding.

Begin your CERN Quest. Take Part

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.