Optical Engineer (BE-GM-FP-2025-62-GRAP)

Optical Engineer (BE-GM-FP-2025-62-GRAP)

• Full-time

Your responsibilities

The Geodetic Metrology group within the Beams Department is looking for a motivated Optical Engineer to contribute to the development of innovative large-scale metrology and high-precision alignment solutions for future accelerators. Help design the next generation of alignment technology for world-class physics facilities!

As an Optical Engineer in the team, you will:

• Develop and simulate low-cost laser-based position measurement systems, ensuring micrometric accuracy over long distances.
• Work with Structured Laser Beams (SLB), Layer Beams (LB), and corresponding high-precision sensors.
• Explore and propose solutions for geometrical reference propagation that are insensitive to optical refraction effects.
• Design and prototype radiation-hard optical position sensors suitable for accelerator environments.
• Test and optimize measurement systems, enhancing accuracy, efficiency, and integration into accelerator layouts.
• Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams to bring cutting-edge metrology solutions to large-scale scientific infrastructure.

Your profile

Skills

• Strong knowledge of optics, laser optics, and optical engineering.
• Experience in the design, assembly, and testing of optical and laser-optics based systems.
• Proficiency in Python programming.
• Ability to perform precise measurements and conduct inspections using a variety of measurement equipment and metrology tools (e.g., laser trackers, callipers, micrometres).
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to work both independently and as part of a multidisciplinary team.
• Experience with additional programming languages such as MATLAB, LabVIEW, and C++ is highly advantageous.
• Spoken and written English, with a commitment to learn French.
• You have a professional background in Optics, Laser Optics, Opto-Mechanics. (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.

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

Working hours: 40 hours per week

This position involves:

• Work in Radiation Areas.
• Interventions in underground installations.
• A valid driving licence.

Job reference: BE-GM-FP-2025-62-GRAP

Field of work: Electrical or Electronics Engineering

What we offer

• A monthly stipend ranging between 6287and 6911Swiss 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 http://home.cern.

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.