Vacuum / Thin film coating Technical Engineer

CERN; Genf; On-site; CHF 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

CERN's ORIGIN programme seeks a Technical Engineer in the surface coating and chemistry team to contribute to thin-film production for the accelerator complex. Training on coating setups and instrumentation will be provided.

You will operate PVD sputtering setups, measure film thickness with XRF, validate NEG coatings, and prepare technical documentation. The role requires vacuum tech experience and a willingness to learn French, with full onsite presence in Geneva.

Qualifications

• Experience in vacuum technology and vacuum instrumentation.
• Experience in materials for vacuum.
• Basic knowledge in materials properties and characterisation.
• Practical experience in thin films coating is advantageous.
• Familiarity with surface treatments and their execution is advantageous.
• Studies focused on Vacuum and Material Sciences.

Responsibilities

• Operate PVD coating setups (sputtering) including assembly, vacuum pumping, bakeout, deposition processing and disassembly.
• Measure thickness and composition of thin films using an XRF spectrometer.
• Perform validation and QC of Non-Evaporable Getter coatings.
• Prepare technical documentation, reports and procedures.
• Contribute to design, procurement and assembly of tooling for coating setups.

Skills

Team collaboration

Independent work

Excel / Word

LabVIEW

English (written/spoken)

French learning

Education

Vacuum and Material Sciences

Tools

XRF spectrometer

PVD coating setup

Vacuum pumps

Job description

What you'll do

Are you an enthusiastic and curious Technical Engineer looking for a challenging professional experience? If so, joining CERN's ORIGIN programme may be the perfect opportunity for you. As a Technical Engineer in the surface coating and chemistry team, you will contribute to the production of thin films for CERN's accelerator complex. All necessary training on the specific coating set ups and instrumentation will be given. Learn more

Your responsibilities

• Operate Physical Vapor Deposition (PVD) coating setups (sputtering): including assembly, vacuum pumping, bakeout, deposition processing, and disassembly.
• Measure the thickness and composition of thin films using an X-Ray Fluorescence spectrometer.
• Perform validation and quality control of the performance of Non-Evaporable Getter coatings (NEG).
• Prepare technical documentation, including reports and procedures.
• Contribute to the design, procurement, and assembly of tooling for the coating setups.

Your profile

• Experience in the areas of vacuum technology and the use of vacuum instrumentation, including vacuum pumps.
• Experience in materials for vacuum.
• Basic knowledge in materials properties and characterisation.
• Practical experience in thin films coating is an advantage.
• Familiarity with surface treatments and their execution/preparation is an advantage.
• Familiarity with surface treatments and their execution/preparation is an advantage.
• Your studies focused on Vacuum and Material Sciences.

Your skills

• Ability to work in groups and actively participate in team activities.
• Ability to work independently and communicate progress, priorities and challenges in your work.
• Knowledge and use of Excel and Word, Labview is a plus.
• Spoken and written English, with a commitment to learn French.

Ideal start date: 01/01/2027

Contract duration (in months): 24

Job flexibility: Fully Onsite

Employment conditions

• Work in Radiation Areas.
• Interventions in underground installations.
• Work during nights, Sundays and official holidays, when required by the needs of the Organization.