HVAC Utilities Engineer

Located on the Paris-Saclay plateau, about 20 kilometers from the capital, the SOLEIL synchrotron is one of France's leading research facilities. Since it began operating in 2008, it has served the national and international scientific communities. Research conducted at SOLEIL covers a wide range of scientific and industrial fields — including physics, biology, chemistry, materials science, environmental science, Earth sciences, and cultural and natural heritage — all connected to current societal challenges. Experiments carried out on the beamlines rely on the use of synchrotron light emitted by electrons accelerated to nearly the speed of light within a storage ring. SOLEIL is jointly supervised by the CNRS and the CEA and offers its staff a dynamic, innovative, multidisciplinary, and international working environment.

At the forefront of technology, SOLEIL II is an ambitious project designed to provide new opportunities for scientific and industrial research. SOLEIL II consists of a major upgrade of the existing infrastructure and aims to significantly improve the performance of electron accelerators and beamlines. It is designed to address major current and future societal challenges, particularly in areas such as advanced materials research, energy and sustainable development, health and well-being, and the environment.

Construction work on the SOLEIL II project began in 2024, marking the start of a phase of development and technological innovation. In parallel, the existing facility will remain operational until the fall of 2028. SOLEIL II is scheduled to start operations in 2030, with a gradual ramp-up phase continuing until 2035.

As part of the Buildings and Infrastructure technical group, and specifically within the Project Hub team, you will act as a Project Manager in a multidisciplinary environment. You will lead design studies and oversee execution for new installations and restructuring projects related to HVAC and utilities across our site.

Key Responsibilities:

  • Design & Engineering: Perform thermal, hydraulic, and airflow calculations to size technical installations.
  • Project Management: Draft technical specifications (cahiers des charges), provide cost estimates, and develop project blueprints.
  • Procurement: Participate in the analysis of bids during the public or private tender process.
  • Execution: Manage the construction phase of your projects through technical commissioning and handover.
  • Operations: Participante in technical on-call rotations (astreintes).

Profile :

  • Education: Master’s degree in Engineering (Bac +5) or equivalent.
  • Experience: Ideally at least 2 years of experience within a design office (Design office) or a company specializing in HVAC/Utilities infrastructure.
  • Technical Skills: 
    • Strong expertise in hydraulics and HVAC systems.
    • Proficiency in industry-standard software (e.g., AutoCAD) is a significant asset.
  • Soft Skills: Analytical mindset, curiosity, autonomy, and strong technical writing skills. Your interpersonal skills and organizational rigor will be key to project success.

Working conditions

This offer concerns a post-doctoral contract for an eighteen-month period. The remuneration will be based on the SOLEIL salary scale. A wide range of valuable training programs, research and upgrading opportunities will be accessible. The place of work will be at Synchrotron SOLEIL, which is located in the Paris suburbs (Saint-Aubin – Essonne - France). The position will be available from September 2026;however, an earlier or later start date may be discussed. Applications should include a motivation letter and Curriculum Vitae.

Benefits :

  • 26 days of paid vacation + up to 2 additional split days + 23 RTT (reduction of working time) days per full year of work, based on a 40-hour work week.
  • Mandatory health insurance (basic plan) costs €19.35 per month for the employee (with an employer contribution of €174.15, corresponding to 90% of the premium), covering household members (spouse/partner + children).
  • We also offer an optional supplementary health plan for €26.69 per month covering your household (spouse/partner + children).
  • Access to a provident scheme that supplements the benefits of the mandatory French Social Security system, which are often insufficient. It compensates for loss of income in case of inability to work, ensuring the standard of living of the insured and their family in difficult circumstances: death, incapacity for work, or disability resulting from illness or accident.
  • Possibility to open a Time Savings Account (CET) after one year of seniority.
  • On-site corporate catering at SOLEIL, with subsidized meals.
  • Family-related benefits depending on individual situations: family allowance supplement, additional days off under certain circumstances, marriage and birth bonuses, etc.

  • Social and cultural activities offered by SOLEIL’s Social and Economic Committee (CSE).