Beam Me Up — But Safely: Systems Engineering at the Energy Frontier

The accelerator complex at CERN represents an eclectic collection of sophisticated systems—an evolving network of machines and technologies operating at the limits of precision, power, and performance. From injecting protons into the LHC to cooling superconducting magnets and protecting equipment from the destructive power of high energy beams, delivering physics at the energy frontier is as much a systems challenge as it is a scientific one.

This keynote will explore systems engineering in the wild: how we manage complexity, risk, and integration across decades-long timelines, tight tolerances, and shifting requirements. Drawing on stories from upgrades, shutdowns, and large-scale R&D efforts—such as the High-Luminosity LHC and the Future Circular Collider feasibility study—we’ll examine what works, what breaks, and what we keep doing anyway.

The talk will offer a candid view from the accelerator trenches and reflect on the human and institutional systems that underpin success. While the scale may be unusual, many of the experiences could well resonate with systems engineers across industries.