Robotics Engineer

Role Summary

We are looking for a technically hands-on Robotics Engineer with strong expertise in mechanics, automation and sensor operations to build our R&D department. You will lead the development of autonomous robotic systems from the ground up, including modeling, simulation, sensor integration, algorithm design and real-world testing.

The ideal candidate brings a strong academic foundation in robotics, excellent coding and simulation skills, and direct experience in prototyping mechatronic systems. Experience with AI-based computer vision is also highly desirable.

The candidate will play a key role in collaborating with international suppliers and technical partners, especially in China, to source custom components, optimize mechanical designs, and align production constraints with R&D objectives.

This role focuses heavily on robot design, prototype creation, robot programming, sensor fusion, trajectory planning, ROS development, and testing, ideally for someone who thrives in full-cycle development, from concept through to system validation.

Key Responsibilities

Design and optimize robotic systems, particularly cable-driven or articulated structures, based on ROS/ROS2 Develop and implement self-calibration algorithms using multiple sensing modalities (e.g. IMU, stereo/RGB-D cameras, laser displacement sensors, encoders etc.), integrate sensor outputs into the control system Implement and tune SLAM pipelines (visual and/or lidar-based) for mapping and localization Program complete robotic system behaviors in Python or C++, design and simulate control strategies in MATLAB/Simulink Model, assemble and test mechatronic prototypes using CAD tools (e.g., CATIA, SolidWorks etc.), validate the structures via FEA (e.g., Abaqus) Integrate computer vision and image processing modules (e.g., OpenCV) into robotic platforms, endowing robots with intelligent behavior Build and prototype embedded systems using Raspberry Pi and/or common microcontrollers for wireless and real time data transmission Carry out experimental design, testbed setup, and validation of robotics performance metrics Collaborate with suppliers and technical partners (especially in China) to ensure smooth system integration Contribute to documentation, version control, and reproducible experiment workflows for experiments and system builds

Required Qualifications

• PhD or Master’s in Robotics, mechatronics, or a closely related field
• Proven experience in robotics R&D, especially projects combining simulation, CAD, and prototyping.
• Pactical experience with ROS, Linux-based development, and multi-sensor integration.
• Experiences on (V)-SLAM, sensor fusion, or self-calibrating systems (e.g., vision, IMU, encoders, etc.)
• Strong proficiency in Python, C++, and MATLAB/Simulink Proficiency in CAD tools (SolidWorks, CATIA) and structural simulation tools (Abaqus, ANSYS)
• Familiarity with embedded systems (e.g. Raspberry Pi or similar platforms)
• Experience in robotics system modeling and experimental validation
• Knowledge of computer vision and image-based sensing
• Fluent in Mandarin Chinese and English (oral and written) any other Swiss national language is a plus
• Sound knowledge of industrial suppliers or contract manufacturers in China and rest of APAC and professional network within
• Strong publications or patents are a plus (especially in robot calibration or sensor fusion)

What We Offer

• Work directly with founders in a fast-moving robotics start-up
• High ownership: concept-to-deployment responsibility on core systems
• Cross-disciplinary environment blending hardware, software, and applied science
• Opportunities to shape product and technology from scratch
• Competitive total compensation package