Survey Engineer – AWAKE Project

Join the Geodetic Metrology group at CERN, where you will take part in the metrology and alignment of a wide variety of components that are used in particle physics experiments You will use state-of-the art surveying tools and software to achieve the sub-millimetre accuracy necessary to meet our goals. You will primarily contribute to the modernization of AWAKE, the pioneering plasma wakefield acceleration experiment, as well as to various alignment activities across the injector complexes and the Large Hadron Collider.

Your responsibilities

• Participate in the design, development, and qualification of high-precision alignment system concepts, working in close collaboration with equipment groups;
• Coordinate survey activities, including network measurements, installation tasks, and alignment processes, from the preparation and supervision of interventions to their execution;
• Carry out, and supervise, the geometrical measurements at all stages of the production of the components from assembly to installation in situ using standard geodetic 3D techniques as well as laser tracker techniques,
• Be responsible for the data processing, comprising advanced stochastic analysis, creation of documentation and presentation of the results,
• Contribute actively to the R&D activities of the group related to alignment monitoring systems as well as participating in the development and maintenance of in-house surveying software applications,
• Perform the technical supervision of students and contractors.

More information here.

Your profile

• Experience in the domain of high precision geodetic or industrial metrology including the instruments and the methods used in high accuracy metrology;
• Initial experience in coordination, planning, reporting and quality assurance aspects would be a plus.

Skills:

• Knowledge and application of high accuracy survey methods and tools: laser tracker, digital and optical levels;
• Use of survey instruments as total stations and 3D laser scanners;
• Knowledge and practice of standard adjustment software: theories, concepts and algorithms related to the least square adjustment;
• Knowledge and application of data acquisition and data processing software (i.e., Python, Spatial Analyser);
• Organisation, planning and control including supervision of work.
• Spoken and written English or French, with a commitment to learn the other language.

Eligibility criteria:

• You are a national of a CERN Member or Associate Member State.
• By the application deadline, you have a maximum of two years of professional experience since graduation in geomatics, industrial metrology (or a related field) and your highest educational qualification is either a Bachelor's or Master's degree.
• You have never had a CERN fellow or graduate contract before.
• Applicants without University degree are not eligible.
• Applicants with a PhD are not eligible.

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-March-2026

This position involves:

• Work in Radiation Areas.
• Interventions in underground installations.
• Residence in the immediate vicinity of the Organisation's installations.
• A valid driving licence.
• Work during nights, Sundays and official holidays, when required by the needs of the Organisation.

Job reference: BE-GM-ASG GRAE

Field of work: Mechanical Engineering

Benchmark job: Mechanical Engineer

What we offer

• A monthly stipend ranging between 5196 and 5716 Swiss Francs (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

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.