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, is offering 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 area of focus is energy-efficient production routes and improving 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 investigating methods to increase feedstock production efficiency and overall reduction of energy consumption in powder-based additive manufacturing processes. This role encompasses 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 (entire process chain).
• 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) with meticulous documentation.
• Characterise powders and printed parts, focusing on thermal analysis, flowability, properties, and fatigue.
• Coordinate with industrial and academic partners (ETH) and support technology transfer.
• Prepare proposals, publications, and conference abstracts, including a PhD proposal.
• Supervise undergraduate and graduate students.

Profile

Required Experience

• CH/EU/EFTA citizenship or a valid work permit for Switzerland.
• Project experience, preferably within the industry.
• Master's degree in materials science, additive manufacturing, polymer engineering, chemistry, or related fields.
• Experience with polymers, additives, fatigue/durability testing, and additive manufacturing techniques.
• Familiarity 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 advantageous.
• Experience in proposal or publication writing is a plus.

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

The position is based in Zurich, at the forefront of technology and innovation in multi-material additive manufacturing.

We Offer

We offer a full-time position for a researcher with the opportunity to pursue a PhD thesis at ETH. Through close cooperation with our project partners, you'll quickly establish valuable industry connections. Join our dynamic team and work with cutting-edge 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 inquiries, 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.