Robotics Mechanical Engineer

About the role

Way of Water is a funded field-robotics project at ETH Zurich (Institute for Dynamic Systems and Control, Research D'Andrea) building autonomous surface robots that must survive rain, spray, transport and real water. This is a project-staff role of about 18 months, fully within the institute, with competitive pay depending on experience. It suits someone with a mechanical and hardware bent who wants ownership of the physical robot.

Key responsibilities

• Own the physical robot: structure, mechanisms, enclosures, mounts and the path from idea to a buildable part.
• Design with manufacture, assembly, sealing and service in mind, then prove it with prototypes, fixtures and tests, including outdoors.
• Work with electronics and software teams on space, connectors, heat, cables, access and how water and vibration affect the design.
• Partner with workshops, suppliers and technicians so drawings become reliable assemblies and field issues become controlled changes.
• Keep clear models, revisions and build notes so the next person can move faster.

Required profile

• About 0-5 years of hands-on experience after your degree; internships, thesis projects, focus projects and paid project work count.
• Mechanical engineering, mechatronics, robotics or equivalent practical engineering background.
• Experience taking hardware from concept to a tested object others can build or maintain, with CAD judgement, materials, fits and manufacturing choices.
• Fluency with electronics packaging and software-facing constraints to collaborate without waiting for perfect handoffs.
• Appetite for outdoor and on-water testing, including Lake Zurich and partner sites.
• An independent working style and documentation habits that help a small team scale.

Applications are made only through the online application portal, with a CV and one or two examples of hardware you personally designed and delivered (drawings or photos help).