Engineering

Electrical Design Engineer - European Organization for Nuclear Research (Geneva)

Contract Type Other

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.

The Electrical Engineering Group (EN-EL) at CERN is responsible for the electrical power-distribution network (from 400 kV to 400/230V), for the fibre-optics infrastructure, and for signal and DC-power cabling for the accelerator complex.

You will join the Electrical Design and Documentation Office (EN-EL-DDO) as an Electrical Designer. Working under the guidance of senior design managers, you will contribute to several strategic CERN projects, including the electrical consolidation of the North Area, SPS LV electrical substations and the renovation of obsolete medium-voltage protection relays in the LHC.

With the support of a senior designer, you will do the design of low voltage distribution networks, equipment sizing, protection studies and lighting studies with the objective of taking on projects of increasing complexity.

**Your responsibilities**

You are expected to possess the foundational knowledge required to:

* Perform short-circuit calculations. * Conduct protection coordination and selectivity studies. * Design electrical power distribution systems and circuits. * Prepare calculation reports, lighting studies, and earthing studies. * Produce electrical…

Excerpt shown; read the full notice on the official page. The structured breakdown below covers the key facts.

Key responsibilities

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

  • Perform short-circuit calculations
  • Conduct protection coordination and selectivity studies
  • Design electrical power distribution systems and circuits
  • Prepare calculation reports, lighting studies, and earthing studies
  • Produce electrical design drawings, including single-line diagrams
  • Prepare bills of materials for electrical equipment and installations
  • Design low voltage distribution networks
  • Conduct equipment sizing

Are you eligible?

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

  • Education: Master's degree with 2 to 6 years of post-graduation professional experience, or PhD with no more than 3 years of post-graduation professional experience
  • Experience: Proven hands-on experience in the design of low voltage distribution networks (LV calculation notes, equipment dimensioning, selectivity studies and protection); proven experience in short circuit calculations; proven experience in selectivity studies
  • Languages: English (spoken…), French (commitm…)
  • Key skills: Knowledge of LV standards, LV protection, indirect contact protection, different types of earthing systems and safety networks, Understanding of power systems, voltage drop calculations, short circuit calculations and dimensioning of cables and equipment, Experience with low voltage design calculation tools (ElecCalc, Caneco or similar software), Proficiency in AutoCAD or similar, Experience in the design of lighting systems using DIALux (beneficial), Experience in secondary design with E-PLAN or similar software (beneficial), Experience in the design of medium voltage distribution networks (beneficial)
  • Eligibility: Professional background in Electrical Engineering or a related field; never had a CERN fellow or graduate contract before; work in radiation areas; interventions in underground installations; 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: Electrical Engineering Group (EN-EL), Electrical Design and Documentation Office (EN-EL-DDO).

Position details

Reference
EN-EL-DDO-2026-104-GRAP
Last Verified
23 July 2026

Position overview

This is the official EU Careers listing for Electrical Design Engineer at CERN based in Geneva (Other). The vacancy reference is EN-EL-DDO-2026-104-GRAP. The role falls under the Engineering domain.

The Electrical Engineering Group (EN-EL) at CERN is responsible for the electrical power-distribution network (from 400 kV to 400/230V), for the fibre-optics infrastructure, and for signal and DC-power cabling for the accelerator complex.

You will join the Electrical Design and Documentation Office (EN-EL-DDO) as an Electrical Designer. Working under the guidance of senior design managers, you will contribute to several strategic CERN projects, including the electrical consolidation of the North Area, SPS LV electrical substations and the renovation of obsolete medium-voltage protection relays in the LHC.

With the support of a senior designer, you will do the design of low voltage distribution networks, equipment sizing, protection studies and lighting studies with the objective of taking on projects of increasing complexity.

Your responsibilities

You are expected to possess the foundational knowledge required to:

* Perform short-circuit calculations. * Conduct protection coordination and selectivity studies. * Design electrical power distribution systems and circuits. * Prepare calculation reports, lighting studies, and earthing studies. * Produce electrical design drawings, including single-line diagrams. * Prepare bills of materials for electrical equipment and installations.

More information [here](https://videos.cern.ch/record/2301705).

Your profile

* Proven hands-on experience in the design of low voltage distribution networks (LV calculation notes, equipment dimensioning, selectivity studies and protection). * Proven experience in short circuit calculations. * Proven experience in selectivity studies. * Experience in the design of lighting systems for buildings and external areas using DIALux is beneficial to the role. * Experience in secondary design with E-PLAN or similar software is beneficial to the role. * Experience in the design of medium voltage distribution networks is beneficial to the role.

Skills

Required skills and knowledge:

* Knowledge of LV standards, LV protection, indirect contact protection, knowledge of different types of earthing systems and safety networks). * A good understanding of power systems; voltage drop calculations, short circuit calculations and dimensioning of cables and equipment. * Experience with low voltage design calculation tools (ElecCalc, Caneco or similar software). * Proficiency in AutoCAD or similar.

Language skills:

* Spoken and written English, with a commitment to learn French.

Eligibility criteria:

* You have a professional background in Electrical Engineering (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.

Job closing date: 26.07.2026 at 23:59 CEST.

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

Job flexibility: Fully Onsite

Target start date: 01-September-2026

This position involves:

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

Job reference: EN-EL-DDO-2026-104-GRAP

Field of work: Electrical or Electronics Engineering

Benchmark job: 200030 - Electrical Engineer

Global Benefits

* A monthly stipend between 6372-7004 Swiss Francs per month (tax free) depending on your degree. * 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.

Overview of CERN -Discover a world where the impossible is made possible!

At CERN, the European Organization for Nuclear Research, we are pushing the frontiers of science and technology. Our groundbreaking work brings together not only physicists but also a diverse range of professionals from engineering, technical, scientific, and administrative fields. Together, we foster an environment where innovation and collaboration thrive.

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.

If you are ready to be part of a dynamic, inclusive community pushing the boundaries of knowledge, CERN is the place where your curiosity and skills can thrive. Be part of our mission to uncover what lies at the heart of the universe!TAKE PART!

More information about us, here:[careers.cern](https://careers.cern/)

Application timeline

This vacancy was first listed on 9 July 2026, 13 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 23 July 2026.

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 Engineering field browse our Engineering 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.

Career trajectory

Career progression for this grade staff is governed by Articles 44 to 46 of the Staff Regulations (consolidated text on EUR-Lex) and Annex IB on the promotion procedure. Step increases are automatic every two years (Art. 44); grade promotion is competitive, based on the appraisal exercise (Art. 45) and the Career Development Review. For roles at CERN, progression to the next grade typically takes three to five years on merit, with two-yearly step increases in between. Article 46 governs the classification at recruitment, which sets the starting step within the grade (usually step 1 for external recruits without prior EU service, step 2 or 3 where relevant professional experience is recognised).
Mobility within the institutions is encouraged via the inter-institutional and intra-institutional vacancy publication system: temporary agents who pass the probation period and reservists from EPSO laureate lists can typically apply to internal vacancies after one year of service. Lateral moves between Directorates-General reset the seniority clock for promotion only if the new post carries a different grade.

Language profile

Beyond the formal language requirements stated in the vacancy notice, the day-to-day working languages at this employer are English and French in roughly equal measure, with German appearing in some technical files. Internal meetings and most policy drafting in Brussels run in English; French remains the preferred internal language in Luxembourg-based services and parts of DG TRADE.

Application cadence

CERN has not advertised another comparable role with the same grade and Engineering signature in the past twenty-four months. This opening has rarely been seen on the EU Careers feed and may be the first such posting in our two-year window. Applicants who pass the eligibility checks should not assume the same profile will reopen on a predictable cadence.

Source: This job listing was sourced from the official EU Careers portal (EPSO). First published: .

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