Scheduling and Coordination Engineer

About the role

Planners integrate configuration management with detailed scheduling to support the full lifecycle of infrastructure. The position works closely with domain experts to resolve conflicts and ensure operational safety. You will own the development and maintenance of integrated master schedules that align with the strategic objectives of the Accelerator Coordination and Engineering department. This role requires you to act as the primary interface between technical teams and stakeholders, translating complex engineering requirements into coherent timeline models. You will be responsible for identifying potential resource conflicts and co-activity dependencies before they impact critical milestones. The position demands a proactive approach to monitoring schedule performance and driving corrective actions in real time. You will leverage your expertise to ensure that safety constraints and quality standards are embedded within the baseline schedule. Ultimately, your work will ensure that large-scale infrastructure projects are delivered on time, within scope, and with full adherence to operational protocols.

Key facts

The posting states a minimum of 8 years of experience.

Project management experience for large-scale technical projects is demonstrated in complex environments.

Scheduling and coordination of large-scale and complex projects is proven, including co-activity management and safety aspects.

Stakeholder engagement skills are shown through consensus building around commonly agreed objectives.

Multiple project planning tools are used, with structured communication maintained between them.

Project scheduling tools such as MS Project, Oracle Primavera, MS PowerBI, VBA, Python, and advanced database knowledge are used effectively.

A valid driving licence is required for interventions in underground installations.

Stand-by duty may be required when the organization needs support for operational activities.

What you'll do

• Construct detailed integrated master schedules that synchronize mechanical and technical activities across multiple workstreams.
• Resolve scheduling conflicts between teams by analyzing dependencies and resource availability using advanced planning software.
• Apply configuration management principles to ensure schedule baselines remain traceable and auditable.
• Coordinate co-activity management for interventions in underground installations, ensuring adherence to safety constraints.
• Drive the collection and analysis of schedule performance data, presenting insights through dashboards built in MS PowerBI.
• Engage with domain experts to validate timelines and ensure alignment with operational safety standards.
• Maintain structured communication between project planning tools, ensuring data consistency and version control.
• Develop and update project schedules using Oracle Primavera and MS Project, incorporating lessons learned from previous projects.
• Write VBA scripts and Python code to automate reporting tasks and reduce manual data processing efforts.
• Conduct advanced database queries to extract schedule-related information and support decision-making processes.
• Ensure compliance with quality standards by integrating them into the baseline schedule and monitoring execution.
• Support stand-by duty schedules as required to cover operational activities in underground environments.
• Collaborate with stakeholders to build consensus around project timelines and resolve emerging issues.
• Validate the accuracy of schedule updates against real-world progress and adjust plans as necessary.
• Provide clear explanations of scheduling decisions to both technical and non-technical audiences.

Requirements

• Hold a Master's Degree or PhD or equivalent relevant experience in the field of Engineering or Applied Physics or a related field.
• Possess a minimum of 5 to 8 years of demonstrated experience in project management for large-scale technical projects.
• Show proven ability in scheduling and coordination of large-scale and complex projects, including co-activity management and safety aspects.
• Demonstrate strong stakeholder engagement skills with a track record of consensus building around commonly agreed objectives.
• Exhibit proficiency in multiple project planning tools and structured communication between them.
• Apply advanced knowledge of project scheduling tools such as MS Project, Oracle Primavera, MS PowerBI, VBA, Python, and database systems.
• Hold a valid driving licence for interventions in underground installations.
• Be prepared to participate in stand-by duty when the organization requires support for operational activities.
• Maintain a strong commitment to safety rules and quality standards as they relate to schedule execution.
• Work effectively within the Accelerator Coordination and Engineering team environment.
• Contribute to the integration of configuration management with detailed scheduling practices.
• Adhere to the professional standards expected at CERN when managing critical infrastructure projects.
• Demonstrate resilience and adaptability in managing complex project dependencies.
• Understand the importance of documentation and traceability in schedule management.

Practical notes

This contract role is based in Geneva, ch, with hybrid flexibility.

The position is graded at job grade 6-7 within the Limited duration contract track.

A valid driving licence is necessary, and stand-by duty may apply.

Typical interview steps

Hiring for engineering roles usually starts with a recruiter screen, followed by one or two technical rounds. Candidates often solve a coding problem, discuss past projects, and answer system design questions. Some loops include a take-home task. Final rounds typically cover team fit and give candidates a chance to ask questions. Interviewers look for how you break down unfamiliar problems, not just whether you reach the answer. Practicing a few problems aloud and reviewing your own past projects are the best preparation.

Good to know

Work in this field involves mechanical engineering knowledge applied to accelerator systems.

The schedule drives coordination across technical teams and stakeholders.

Safety rules and quality standards are integrated into baseline schedules and site execution.

Questions to ask

Worth asking in any interview: how the team measures success, who the role works with daily, what the onboarding looks like, and what the company is trying to achieve this year. Asking what past hires did well is a strong final question. Keep the list short and pick the questions that matter most to you.

Career growth

Engineering careers usually progress from individual contributor to senior, staff, and principal levels. Some engineers move into management and lead teams of five to twenty people. Others stay on the technical track. Growth follows demonstrated impact, not tenure alone. A typical engineering ladder has clear levels with defined expectations for scope, quality, and mentorship. Moving up usually requires owning outcomes end to end rather than completing assigned tickets.

About the company

CERN runs the biggest particle physics lab globally. Founded in 1954, headquarters sit in Meyrin near Geneva, on the France Switzerland border. Membership includes 25 nations. Israel joined in 2013 and resides outside Europe. United Nations General Assembly status is observer. Scientific exploration drives operations. International collaboration defines culture. Roles span engineering, computing, and research. Opportunities attract diverse talent. Ambitions center on advancing knowledge. Work happens at the intersection of theory and experiment, supported by shared infrastructure and open science principles.