Electromechanical Technician for COMBO Converter (TTE Programme)

Company Description

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.

Job Description

Are you an enthusiastic electrical technician looking for a challenging professional experience to further your career?  If so, joining CERN’s TTE programme may very well give you that challenge.  

You just left school with a technician diploma, or you have few years of experience and you are interested in exploring new domains, integrating new skills? Don't hesitate to join us in the System Department. The EPC group (Electrical Power Converters) is currently working on several projects of consolidation. With an engineer in charge, you will be trained on delivering power converters as complete racks to be installed in physics machines, from the initial phase verifying the specifications, up to the final phase with the commissioning of the new equipment with physicists, validating the performance are adequate to go on working for science and new discoveries.

The range of converters, COMBO family is made of commercial power supplies integrated in a full operational power rack, to provide a system capable of delivering very high precision output current, for guiding accelerated particles. The work consists in elaborating functional specifications, then choosing existing available COMBO design or create new ones, ordering all the required items and arranging the manufacturing of the converters. Being able to design or adapt mechanical pieces through the use of CAD software like Inventor or Autocad is an added value. Understanding electricity principles is also a must. Still, working everyday with converter experts makes possible to acquire and develop these specific skills, and to learn how to design complex electro-mechanical systems, managing their manufacturing through the management of small projects.

You will integrate the Low Power Converter Section of 18-20 people, in charge of Low Power Converters (100 Watts to 100 kWatts) powering mainly magnets for all CERN accelerator complexes. You will join a small team of three to four people in charge of delivering different types of power converters required for various use like CERN physics experiments or test labs.

References:

Some public information can be found here:

•  The COMBO power converter webpage;

•  A webpage describing activities from members (including technicians working as TTE) of the SY-EPC-LPC section.

Qualifications

In order to qualify for a place on the programme you will need to meet the following requirements:

• You are a national of a CERN Member State or Associate Member State (https://home.cern/about/member-states);
• You have a Technical Diploma or equivalent in mechanical, electricity, electro-mechanics, electronics or equivalent, and no more than 4 years' relevant experience after finishing your diploma;
• If you are currently studying, you are still eligible to apply, although you are expected to have obtained your qualification by the start of your appointment at CERN;
• If you hold a BSc or MSc, you are not eligible. However you may be eligible for the Fellowship Programme.
• You should have at least a working knowledge of English or French.

Specific skills required for this job:

You must have an electro mechanical background, being at ease with computer office suite; a first experience of CAD software (Autocad, Inventor, Catia or equivalent) is valuable. You must also be well organized, and able to treat small projects, following tasks closely, and being also able to organize mechanical work (production) type. A high level of autonomy is required, even if the first COMBO project will be initiated with the help of an experienced technician (who designed the COMBO family).

Additional Information

CERN would very much like to benefit from your expertise, commitment and passion.  In return, CERN will provide you with:

• An employment contract of one year, renewable for a second year; 
• On-the-job and formal training (in the design and implementation of electrical systems) at CERN as well as in-house language courses for English and/or French;
• A monthly stipend of 4585 Swiss 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: an installation grant, family, child and infant allowances as well as travel expenses to and from Geneva;
• 2,5 days of paid leave per month.

Training value

As a member of a team with experienced technicians and engineers from many European countries in charge of designing many challenging power converter types, you will find a dynamic environment, where you will acquire or develop your skills in:

•  The domain of electrical systems, dedicated to electrical power conversion.

•  The design of mechanical elements like modular structures, electrical busbars, air or water cooling parts, or even complete specific boxes.

•  The use of CAD softwares (similar to Inventor, Solidworks).

•  The use of standard office software tools, creating tables, presentations and technical reports or notes.

•  Self-driving yourself, creating and following some work plans, presenting your work at project meetings.

Your future Life @CERN

Get a glimpse of what it’s like to work at CERN: https://careers.cern/benefits and https://careers.cern/our-people

This is how you can apply. Here are few tips to start you off:

• Be as specific as possible in the application fields “Education” and “Experience”.
• We recommend you prepare your answers in Word or Notepad in advance, as once you start completing the application on Smartrecruiters, you have a limited time to submit it.
• If you apply to more than one job, you will need to upload the documents for each application you submit.

Required documentation:

You will need the following documents, clearly labelled (e.g. “CV”, “Motivation letter”, “Academic transcript”, etc.) and in PDF format to complete your application:

• A CV;
• A scanned copy of your latest relevant qualification;
• One reference letter (from a professor or previous employer) giving an overview of your academic and/or professional achievements. This should be as broad as possible.

You may upload the reference letter yourself, whilst submitting your application, or through your referee via the link you will receive shortly after submitting your application.

All applications should normally reach us no later than 31.01.2021