Project Engineer / Project Engineeress

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 the 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, offers a position in the field of additive manufacturing.

Project Background

Our team develops advanced materials and sustainable processing strategies for polymer and ceramic additive manufacturing. One focus area is energy-efficient production routes and enhancing the reliability and quality of laser powder bed fusion (PBF) for plastic components.

Job Description

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

Your Tasks

• Lead a multi-year project 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 (including Design of Experiments - DoE) with thorough documentation.
• Characterize powders and printed parts (thermal analysis, flowability, properties, and fatigue).
• Coordinate with industrial and academic partners (ETH) to support technology transfer.
• Prepare proposals, publications, and conference abstracts, including a PhD proposal.
• Supervise undergraduate and master's level students.

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; German is an asset.
• Experience in proposal or publication writing is an advantage.

Required People Skills

• Highly self-organized and structured way of working 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

Join our vibrant team, working at the cutting edge of multi-material additive manufacturing.

We Offer

We provide a full-time position for a researcher, with the option to pursue a PhD thesis at ETH. Through close cooperation with our project partner, you will quickly establish valuable industry contacts. Our dynamic team is at the forefront of today's advancements in 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). For more information, please visit our websites: Inspire and Advanced Manufacturing.