Superconducting RF Engineer

Superconducting RF Engineer

CERN - European Organization for Nuclear Research

Geneva, Switzerland

What you'll do

Join CERN’s mission to advance accelerator technology. As an Engineer in the Superconducting Radio-Frequency Section, you will design and develop key RF components for the new 400 MHz Demonstrator Cryomodule, contributing to innovations that will drive the future of particle physics.

You will join the Accelerator Systems Department (SY), which is responsible for the beam-related technical systems of the CERN accelerators. The SY teams design, build and operate equipment systems in all CERN accelerators, and are engaged in ambitious forward-looking R&D programmes.

You will join the SC RF Cavity Technology Section, of the Radiofrequency Group. You will participate in the development of RF power components, and in particular the fundamental RF power couplers and HOM RF power extraction couplers, which are highly sophisticated and critical components in the RF power transmission to accelerator SRF cavities.

Your responsibilities

• Take a significant part in the mechanical design of FPCs and HOM couplers, including material selection and manufacturing technologies.
• Perform coupled RF, thermal, and mechanical simulations across all operating conditions, from room temperature to cryogenic (<4.5 K), optimising designs for efficiency and reliability.
• Contribute to the design, construction, and operation of test stations for RF conditioning and high-power qualification.
• Oversee the production and assembly of prototypes, including preparation of specifications, cleanroom procedures, quality control, and documentation.
• Support cryogenic qualification testing on single cavities and full assemblies.
• Collaborate across internal and external teams, reporting progress and presenting results in workshops and conferences.

Your profile

• Demonstrated experience in mechanical and electrical engineering aspects of RF equipment applied to scientific instruments.
• Demonstrated experience with electromagnetic simulation tools for evaluating RF fields, power dissipation, and multipacting effects, in addition to mechanical and thermal finite element computations and computer-aided design software.
• Demonstrated experience in coordinating multidisciplinary projects for scientific instruments, covering the full lifecycle from conceptual and electromagnetic design through mechanical integration, prototyping, RF testing, and qualification.
• Experience in preparing technical specification, technical reports and publishing paper in international conferences.
• Master's degree or PhD or equivalent relevant experience in the field of Electrical or Mechanical Engineering or a related field.

Your skills

• Knowledge and application of RF techniques, incl. electrical engineering techniques for the design, testing, and optimization of superconducting RF systems.
• Design and analysis of mechanical structures.
• Knowledge and application of cryogenic heat transfer and insulation techniques.
• Design and modelling of RF accelerating structures.
• Knowledge and application of clean-room techniques.
• Takes responsibility for own actions and decisions, and takes initiative beyond regular tasks to make things happen.
• Thinks “out of the box” and proposes fresh ideas, insights and methodologies, while adapting quickly and resourcefully to shifting priorities and requirements.
• Understands when teamwork is required to achieve the best results; includes others accordingly and shares information.
• Spoken and written English or French, with a commitment to learn the other language.