Survey Engineer for LHC Experiments (BE-GM-ESA-2025-240-GRAE)

Employment Type: Full-time

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-milimetre accuracy necessary to meet our goals!

Your responsibilities:
After several weeks of training, the person will be deeply involved in the survey and alignment of physics detectors and will:

• Perform 3D measurements for the maintenance of our geodetic networks as well as for the geometrical follow-up of assemblies, adjustment and alignment of the detectors with respect to this network.
• Participate in the organization and execution of measurements and in-field data capture.
• Contribute to data processing, documentation of measurements and presentation of results in technical meetings.
• Take part in the in-house software test validation, provide feedback to improve the survey field procedures, methods and software.

More information here: https://videos.cern.ch/record/2718427

Your profile:

• Strong interest in the domain of the high accuracy geodetic metrology.
• Demonstrated curiosity and attention to detail.
• Experience of instruments and methods used in high accuracy geodetic metrology.
• Theoretical and practical experience using least square-based algorithms.

Skills:

• Use of survey instruments such as laser trackers, total stations and 3D laser scanners.
• Good knowledge and practical experience of instruments and methods used in high accuracy geodetic metrology. Skilled in using these techniques - measurements and data processing - for industrial/scientific applications or willingness to acquire them quickly.
• Good knowledge and practice of theories, concepts and algorithms relative to least squares adjustment and stochastic analysis applied preferably to different geodetic and dimensional problems.
• Good organization and communication skills, sense of responsibility and a capacity to work in a team.
• Knowledge in the following fields would be beneficial: digital close-range photogrammetry, 3D laser scanning, practical experience of programming in different languages (i.e., MATLAB, Python).
• Spoken and written English or French, with a commitment to learn the basics of 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 topography, geodesy, surveying, geomatic (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.

Additional Information
Job closing date: 04.01.2026 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:

• 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-ESA-2025-240-GRAE

Field of work: Mechanical Engineering

Benchmark job: 200090 - 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 http://home.cern.

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.