Computing Infrastructure Technician

Does the idea of developing the mission-critical computing hardware infrastructure of the Accelerator complex of CERN, the largest particle physics laboratory in the world, and providing operational support attract you? Take responsibility in the specification, procurement, configuration, asset management and operational support of the computing infrastructure. Take part!

Introduction
Computing Infrastructure Technician in the Beam Department (BE), Controls Group (CO), Infrastructure Section (IN).

You will join:
.The Beams department responsible for the operation and performance of the entire CERN Accelerator complex, including the injector complex and their experimental areas, and the LHC.
.The Controls Group responsible for the specification, design, procurement, integration, installation, commissioning and operation of the controls infrastructure for all CERN Accelerators and their transfer lines to the Experimental Areas. Support is also provided to the technical infrastructure services that rely on standard controls facilities provided by the group.

Functions
You will participate in the technical engineering processes involved in the operation and evolution of the computing hardware infrastructure of the CERN Accelerators' control system.

Your main activities will consist of:
.Ensure the operational performance, availability and stability of the installed infrastructure, with a special emphasis on the server platforms installed in the CERN Accelerator computing centre
.Take responsibility for the following processes associated with our computing hardware infrastructure:

-Requirements capture and analysis with CERN stakeholders (operations, equipment groups).
-Procurement processes with industry partners and CERN procurement service.
-Qualification and integration of hardware solutions within the CERN Linux based environment.
-Hardware Installations and upgrades.
-Asset management (procurement, stock management, statistical analysis, upgrade policy).
-Technical evolution of the infrastructure.
-Operational support, including participation to best-effort support outside normal working hours.
.Act as "Machine Controls Coordinator" for all control system aspects of a set of Accelerators, i.e. be the single point of contact between the Controls Group and the assigned Accelerators in order to solve operational problems and manage the evolution of the control system of the given Accelerators.

Qualification required
Higher technical diploma in the field of distributed computing architectures or equivalent*.

*Please note that preference will be given to candidates with the above-mentioned qualifications: In principle consideration will not be given to applications from people with higher qualifications.

Experience and competencies
The experience required for this post is:
.Proven experience in the operation of large scale distributed computing infrastructures, in particular:

-High-performance and high-availability commercial server platforms and their associated services (water-cooled enclosures, multi-core server architectures, distributed storage systems, etc.)

-Embedded platforms used for real-time computing (VMEbus, cPCI, PCI, PCIe, PXI).

-Diagnostic and monitoring of the above mentioned platforms running the Linux operating system.

The technical competencies required for this post are:
.Systems installation/decommissioning: microprocessor x86 architecture.
.Configuration and use of fieldbuses: data communication buses (pci, vmebus, fieldbuses) and networking.
.Design, integration and configuration of modular data processing and storage systems: distributed storage principles.
.Design, integration and configuration of modular data processing and storage systems: high availability and redundancy principles.
.Technical infrastructure operation: including asset management principles.

The behavioural competencies required for this post are:
.Working in teams: working well in groups and readily fitting into a team; participating fully and taking an active role in team activities.
.Achieving results: having a structured and organised approach towards work; being able to set priorities and plan tasks with results in mind; delivering prompt and efficient service taking into account customer needs.

The language competencies required are:
.English or French: spoken and written, ability to draw up technical texts . The ability to understand and speak the other language in routine situations would be an advantage.

This vacancy will be filled as soon as possible, and applications should normally reach us no later than 18.09.2016.

Note on Employment Conditions
We offer a limited-duration contract for a period of 5 years. Limited-duration contracts shall terminate by default on their date of expiry. Subject to certain conditions, holders of limited-duration contracts may apply for an indefinite position.

These functions require:
.Participation in a regular stand-by duty, including nights, Sundays and public holidays.
.Work during nights, Sundays and public holidays.
.Work in Radiation areas.
.Interventions in underground installations.