Project Engineer - Additive Manufacturing of Plastics / Project Engineeress - Additive Manufacturing of Plastics

Project Engineer - Additive Manufacturing of Plastics

80%-100%, Zurich, permanent

Inspire AG is the leading Swiss competence centre for product innovation and advanced manufacturing. As a strategic partner of ETH Zurich, our mission is to transfer knowledge and technology from research to Swiss machine, electrical, and metal industries.

The research group in additive manufacturing at Inspire, in collaboration with the Advanced Manufacturing Lab (amlz) at ETH Zurich, is offering an exciting opportunity in the field of additive manufacturing.

Project Background

Our team is dedicated to developing advanced materials and sustainable processing strategies for polymer and ceramic additive manufacturing. A key focus is on energy-efficient production routes and enhancing the reliability and quality of laser powder bed fusion (PBF) of plastic components.

Job Description

We are seeking a Project Engineer to lead a new R&D project aimed at increasing the efficiency of feedstock production and reducing overall energy consumption in powder-based additive manufacturing processes. The role encompasses material development, testing, evaluation, coordination with industrial partners, and contributing to long-term research planning within the group.

Your Tasks

• Lead a multi-year project focused on energy-reduction strategies in PBF of plastics.
• Develop and test new materials, additives, and processing strategies, including the printing and testing of parts.
• Plan and execute laboratory experiments, ensuring excellent documentation.
• Characterize powders and printed parts through thermal analysis, flowability, property assessment, and fatigue testing.
• Coordinate with industrial and academic partners (ETH) to support technology transfer.
• Prepare proposals, publications, and conference abstracts, including a PhD proposal.
• Supervise students at bachelor’s and master’s levels.

Profile

Required Experience

• CH/EU/EFTA citizenship or a valid work permit for Switzerland.
• Project experience, preferably within industry.
• Master’s degree in materials, additive manufacturing, polymer engineering, chemistry, or related fields.
• Experience with polymers, additives, fatigue/durability testing, and additive manufacturing.
• Experience with powder bed fusion of plastics is preferred.
• Skills in material characterization (microscopy, mechanical testing, DSC, rheology).
• Excellent command of English; proficiency in German is beneficial.
• Experience in proposal or publication writing is an advantage.

Required People Skills

• Highly self-organized and structured approach to work with a solution-oriented mindset.
• Strong motivation to learn and contribute to new research topics.
• High level of teamwork, positive work attitude, and creativity.

Workplace

We welcome you to be part of our innovative environment that fosters creativity and collaboration.

We Offer

We offer a full-time position for a researcher, with the opportunity to pursue a PhD thesis at ETH. Through our close cooperation with project partners, you will rapidly establish connections within the industry. In our dynamic team, you will be at the forefront of today's knowledge in multi-material additive manufacturing.

Curious? So Are We.

Apply online using the form below. Only applications matching the job profile will be considered.

For technical questions, please contact Dr. Daniel Werner, Head of Additive Manufacturing at Inspire St. Gallen (daniel.werner@inspire.ch). Please also visit our websites Inspire and Advanced Manufacturing.