Welcome!
At the CAT section, we believe that operating the world’s most complex scientific instruments requires not just cutting-edge technology, but diverse perspectives, creative thinking, and collaborative problem-solving. As a core part of CERN’s Accelerator Beam Transfer (ABT) group, our multi-disciplinary team of electrical, IT, and process automation engineers works together to ensure the safe, precise, and reliable operation of the particle beams that help unlock the universe's deepest secrets.
We operate at the critical intersection of hardware, software, and physics. To meet the rigorous demands of CERN's accelerator complex, our section collaborates across three highly specialised domains:
- Process Automation: We design and commission the fail-safe industrial control architectures and safety chains that protect personnel and critical infrastructure, driving large-scale consolidation projects for systems like the Large Hadron Collider.
- Real-Time Controls: Operating at the microsecond and nanosecond scale, we develop the embedded software and custom control electronics that guarantee operational fidelity for incredibly fast-pulsed kicker magnets.
- Machine Learning & Automation Frameworks: Looking to the future, we bridge the gap between hardware and advanced analytics. We develop cutting-edge anomaly detection, IoT data acquisition, and automated diagnostics to make our accelerators smarter, safer, and more efficient.
Our Culture
Beyond the technology, we are deeply committed to an inclusive, supportive, and respectful working environment. We actively champion CERN's "25 by '25" diversity initiatives and value the unique strengths every engineer brings to the table. Whether you are leading a hardware commissioning campaign in the accelerator tunnel, writing real-time C++ code, or training predictive machine learning models, you will find a collaborative space where continuous learning is encouraged, knowledge is shared, and your voice matters.
We invite you to explore our projects, discover how we are pushing the boundaries of automation, and see how you can make a tangible impact on the future of scientific discovery.
Technologies
At the intersection of particle physics and industrial automation, we engineer the critical beam transfer systems that inject, extract, and protect particle beams across the CERN accelerator complex, utilising nanosecond-scale fast-pulsed kicker magnets, electromagnetic septa, and highly redundant machine protection systems like the LHC Beam Dump System (LBDS).
To drive these immense energy transfers, our hardware architecture spans from custom high-voltage pulse generators featuring thyratron and solid-state switches, to specialised control electronics like PXIe controllers, bespoke FPGA cards, and fast digitizers for precision waveform acquisition, all orchestrated by robust Siemens S7-1500 PLCs and fail-safe I/O modules.
This hardware is seamlessly integrated using a multi-layered software ecosystem that includes Siemens TIA Portal and WinCC OA for industrial SCADA, alongside CERN's custom Front-End Software Architecture (FESA) and the Internal Post-operation Control (IPOC) system for real-time equipment surveillance.
Operating across Linux and embedded environments, our team actively develops code in C++, Python, and Java using the latest LLM copilots. We are always on the lookout for talent who can bring us a fresh perspective in areas such as Hardware-in-the-loop (HIL) testing, big data, and machine learning techniques for anomaly detection, as well as continuous integration/continuous deployment (CI/CD) environments, to ensure the flawless, autonomous operation of the accelerator infrastructure.
Latest Job Opennings
If you are interested in working with us feel free to send us your CV to start a discussion!
The Controls Lifecycle
Our section's mission covers the full lifecycle of every system we manage. We don't just build; we design, deploy, maintain, and innovate, ensuring robust performance and reliability from concept to long-term operation. This holistic ownership is fundamental to our mandate.
This structured, end-to-end approach guarantees quality and allows our team to pioneer new R&D based on deep operational experience gained from the entire lifecycle.