EPFL, the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in Lausanne, is one of the most dynamic university campuses in Europe and ranks among the top 20 universities worldwide. The EPFL employs more than 6,500 people supporting the three main missions of the institutions: education, research and innovation. The EPFL campus offers an exceptional working environment at the heart of a community of more than 18,500 people, including over 14,000 students and 4,000 researchers from more than 120 different countries.

Software Engineer for Energy Monitoring and Photovoltaic Data Platforms

Your mission

Put your software engineering skills to work for the energy transition. The Photovoltaics and Thin Film Electronics Laboratory (PV-Lab) at EPFL is seeking a motivated Software Engineer to take responsibility for its monitoring platform and dashboards, and to lead a work package within a Horizon Europe project.

Based in Neuchâtel, you will develop reliable software that turns data from photovoltaic installations, weather stations and laboratory experiments into useful information for researchers and project partners. You will combine hands-on development with project coordination in an international, multidisciplinary team with strong links to CSEM and industry.

 

Main duties and responsibilities

You will:

  • Take ownership of the PV-Lab monitoring platform and dashboards, including maintenance, troubleshooting and further development. Work with colleagues and users to define requirements and prioritize improvements. Ensure traceability and consistent metadata.
  • Develop applications to collect, validate, process and store data from monitoring sites, sensors and external APIs. Ensure data quality and reliable operation.
  • Manage containerized applications using Docker and Kubernetes, and automate builds and deployments through GitLab CI/CD. Maintain logging, alerts, backups and secure configuration in coordination with EPFL IT.
  • Lead Horizon Europe work packages: coordinate partners and tasks, plan resources, track milestones and risks, and ensure timely delivery of technical deliverables and progress reports. Organize meetings and represent the work package in project discussions.
  • Write maintainable, tested and documented code. Support researchers using the platform and share technical knowledge within PV-Lab.
  • Participate in internal scientific meetings and seminars, as well as local and international conferences. Contribute to writing scientific papers in collaboration with PV-Lab researchers and project partners.
  • Supervise and mentor students working on software development, monitoring and data analysis, helping them plan their projects, review their code and interpret their results.

Your profile

Essential qualifications and skills

  • A degree in computer science, software engineering, data engineering, engineer in physics with strong software skills or a related field, or equivalent practical experience.
  • Strong Python programming skills and experience developing and maintaining applications used by others, including automated testing, debugging and documentation.
  • Good command of SQL and relational database design, with experience in data processing and HTTP API integration.
  • Experience with Git, collaborative development and Docker, together with an understanding of CI/CD and application deployment.
  • Ability to translate user needs into reliable data visualization tools and usable dashboards.
  • Strong organizational and communication skills, with experience coordinating technical activities and the ability to manage partner contributions, deadlines and deliverables independently.
  • A clear motivation to contribute to the energy transition and to learn about photovoltaic technology systems. Excellent written and spoken English and a collaborative approach to working with researchers and engineers.

Additional assets

  • Hands-on experience with Kubernetes, GitLab CI/CD and container registries, Grafana, SQLite, Linux administration or reverse proxies.
  • Experience developing web interfaces with HTML, CSS and JavaScript, or Python-based web frameworks.
  • Familiarity with time-series data, sensor integration, photovoltaic monitoring or energy performance analysis.
  • Experience in Horizon Europe or other collaborative R&D projects, particularly work package coordination and technical reporting. French language skills are an advantage.

We offer

  • A dynamic and stimulating work environment
  • Access to state-of-the-art research facilities and laboratory resources
  • Opportunity to collaborate with world-class scientists through a network of national and international stakeholders
  • Opportunity to work at EPFL, an internationally renowned and top-ranking engineering university, which offers a dynamic, stimulating, interdisciplinary, international and friendly working environment, a broad range of scientific training and networking events and also hosts a vibrant entrepreneurial community
  • Opportunity to combine research, scientific leadership, project management and industrial collaboration within a single role.

Informations

Only applications submitted through the online platform are considered.

 

Contract Start Date : 01/01/2027 

Activity Rate Min : 80.00 

Activity Rate Max : 100.00 

Contract Type: CDD

Duration: 1 year renouvelable 

Reference: 2527