Mechanical Technician for CMS - European Organization for Nuclear Research (Geneva)

About this position

The summary below is published by European Organization for Nuclear Research on the official vacancy notice. Our own analysis — salary realism, comparable openings, career trajectory, language profile — follows further down the page.

Key responsibilities

According to the vacancy notice, the role centres on the following duties:

• Participate in the extraction and insertion of the ECAL supermodules, including the preparation, installation, and removal of the required tooling
• Carry out mechanical operations during the refurbishment of the supermodules, including the replacement of cooling fittings
• Support the installation of ECAL services and electronics and assist with related logistics
• Participate in mechanical work for the upgrade, maintenance, and repair of the CMS detector and its associated infrastructure
• Manufacture mechanical parts and contribute to on-site assembly, installation, alignment, and repair activities
• Support the development of tooling and the preparation or modification of technical drawings using drafting software such as CATIA
• Participate in heavy-lifting and movement operations using equipment such as strand jacks, air pads, and hydraulic jacks, and support regular checks and maintenance of this equipment

Are you eligible?

Check these requirements from the notice before investing time in an application:

• Education: General secondary education diploma
• Experience: Maximum of two years of professional experience since graduation in Mechanics or related field
• Languages: English (spoken…), French (spoken…)
• Key skills: Knowledge of manufacturing techniques for mechanical parts, Experience in the assembly and integration of mechanical structures, equipment, and systems, Knowledge of the operation and maintenance of cooling-water systems, Experience in the safe operation of mechanical handling systems and the application of safety procedures related to heavy machinery and mechanical operations, Problem-solving skills and attention to detail, Ability to work both independently and collaboratively within a multidisciplinary team, Clear communication skills and the ability to follow technical instructions accurately, Initial hands-on experience in the construction and assembly of mechanical components and structures, Experience in mechanical equipment or detector assembly, including cooling connections, pressure testing, or leak detection, Experience using machine tools and hand tools for mechanical manufacturing activities
• Eligibility: National of a CERN Member or Associate Member State. Maximum of two years of professional experience since graduation. Never had a CERN fellow or graduate contract before. Applicants with a Bachelor's, Master's or PhD degree are not eligible. Valid driving licence required.

Contract and working arrangements

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

Working arrangements: Fully Onsite.

Hiring unit: CMS experiment.

Position details

Reference

EP-CMS-IC-2026-226-GRAE

Last Verified

18 September 2026

Position overview

This is the official EU Careers listing for Mechanical Technician for CMS at CERN based in Geneva (Other). The vacancy reference is EP-CMS-IC-2026-226-GRAE. The role falls under the Research domain.

We are recruiting two early-career graduates for Mechanical Technician positions within the CMS experiment. Both positions involve hands-on mechanical work and close collaboration with technicians, engineers, and physicists, but each will have a different main area of responsibility.

One position will join the Electromagnetic Calorimeter (ECAL) team, supporting the refurbishment of the barrel electromagnetic calorimeter and covering a large panel of activities and responsibilities, from mechanical work and the handling and assembly of detector parts to logistic activities.

The second position will join the CMS Technical Coordination crew, supporting mechanical activities for the CMS detector and its infrastructure, including maintenance, upgrades, tooling, and heavy-lifting operations.

Your responsibilities

Key Tasks ECAL position:

- Participate in the extraction and insertion of the ECAL supermodules, including the preparation, installation, and removal of the required tooling. - Carry out mechanical operations during the refurbishment of the supermodules, including the replacement of cooling fittings. - Support the installation of ECAL services and electronics and assist with related logistics.

Key tasks Technical Coordination position:

- Participate in mechanical work for the upgrade, maintenance, and repair of the CMS detector and its associated infrastructure. - Manufacture mechanical parts and contribute to on-site assembly, installation, alignment, and repair activities. - Support the development of tooling and the preparation or modification of technical drawings using drafting software such as CATIA. - Participate in heavy-lifting and movement operations using equipment such as strand jacks, air pads, and hydraulic jacks, and support regular checks and maintenance of this equipment.

Your profile

- Initial hands-on experience in the construction and assembly of mechanical components and structures. - Experience in mechanical equipment or detector assembly, including cooling connections, pressure testing, or leak detection. - Experience using machine tools and hand tools for mechanical manufacturing activities. - Experience with mechanical systems and the handling of large, heavy, or fragile equipment. - Experience with drafting software, such as CATIA.

Skills

- Knowledge of manufacturing techniques for mechanical parts. - Experience in the assembly and integration of mechanical structures, equipment, and systems. - Knowledge of the operation and maintenance of cooling-water systems. - Experience in the safe operation of mechanical handling systems and the application of safety procedures related to heavy machinery and mechanical operations. - Problem-solving skills and attention to detail. - Ability to work both independently and collaboratively within a multidisciplinary team. - Clear communication skills and the ability to follow technical instructions accurately. - Spoken and written English or French, with a commitment to learn 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 Mechanics or related (or a related field) and your highest educational qualification is a general secondary education diploma. - You have never had a CERN fellow or graduate contract before. - Applicants with a Bachelor's, Master's or PhD degree are not eligible.

Job closing date: 12.10.2026 at 23:59 CEST.

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-December-2026

This position involves:

- Work in Radiation Areas. - Interventions in underground installations. - Residence in the immediate vicinity of the Organization's installations. - A valid driving licence. - Work during nights, Sundays and official holidays, when required by the needs of the Organization. - For the ECAL position: Exposure to risk of falling from heights during scaffolding assembly and dismantling operations. - For the ECAL position: Exposure to electromagnetic fields under certain conditions.

Job reference: EP-CMS-IC-2026-226-GRAE

Field of work: Mechanical Engineering

Benchmark job: 300090 - Mechanical Technician

Global Benefits

- A monthly stipend of 4687 Swiss Francs per month (tax free). - 30 days of paid leave per year plus 2 weeks annual closure. - Coverage by CERN’s comprehensive health insurance scheme (for yourself, your spouse and children), and membership of the CERN Pension Fund. - Family, child and infant monthly allowances depending on your individual circumstances. - A relocation package (installation grant and travel expenses) depending on your individual circumstances. - Possibility to extend your contract up to 36 months. - On-the-job and formal training including language classes.

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Every day, we face exciting new challenges and opportunities to contribute to cutting-edge research that shapes our understanding of the universe. We meet these challenges through the diverse perspectives within our teams, ensuring every contribution is valued and driving our shared sense of inclusion and purpose. Diversity is a core value of CERN since its foundation, and it remains central to our mission and continued success.

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Application timeline

This vacancy was first listed on 18 September 2026, 2 days ago.

No closing date is published in the source feed for this position. EU vacancies typically remain open for four to eight weeks; check the official vacancy notice for the cut-off date and time.

Last verified against the EU Careers feed on 18 September 2026 (2 days ago).

Where to learn more

For headcount, mission, and other open vacancies at CERN see the CERN institution page; for the cost of living, correction coefficient, and other postings in Geneva see our Geneva location page; for related vacancies in the Research field browse our Research domain page.

New to EU careers? Our beginner's guide walks through entry routes, EPSO competitions, and what to prepare. For application logistics see application tips and EPSO competitions.