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 focused on additive manufacturing at Inspire, in collaboration with the Advanced Manufacturing Lab (amlz) at ETH Zurich, is offering a position that delves into the realm of additive manufacturing.

Project Background

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

Job Description

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

Your Tasks

• Lead a multi-year project on energy-reduction strategies in PBF of plastics across the entire 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.
• Characterize powders and printed parts through thermal analysis, flowability assessments, and properties & fatigue testing.
• Coordinate with industrial and academic partners (including ETH) while supporting 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 the 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 the powder bed fusion of plastics is preferred.
• Skills in material characterization (microscopy, mechanical testing, DSC, rheology).
• Excellent proficiency in English; German is advantageous.
• Experience in proposal or publication writing is an asset.

Required People Skills

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

Workplace

Join our dynamic and innovative team, where you will work at the forefront of multi-material additive manufacturing.

We Offer

A full-time position for a researcher, with the option to pursue a PhD thesis at ETH. Through close collaboration with our project partners, you will quickly establish industry connections. You will be at the cutting edge 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.