Project Engineer / 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 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 looking to fill a position 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. One of our primary focus areas is enhancing energy-efficient production routes and improving the reliability and quality of laser powder bed fusion (PBF) for 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 achieving an overall reduction in energy consumption in powder-based additive manufacturing processes. The role includes 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 focused on energy-reduction strategies in PBF of plastics (entire process chain).
• Develop and test new materials, additives, and processing strategies, including printing and testing of parts.
• Plan and execute laboratory experiments (including Design of Experiments) with comprehensive documentation.
• Characterize powders and printed parts through thermal analysis, flowability tests, and property evaluations.
• Coordinate with industrial and academic partners (ETH) to support technology transfer.
• Prepare proposals, publications, and conference abstracts, including a PhD proposal.
• Supervise students at the bachelor’s and master’s levels.

Profile

Required Experience

• CH/EU/EFTA citizenship or a valid work permit for Switzerland.
• Project experience preferred 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.
• Experience with powder bed fusion of plastics is preferred.
• Skills in material characterization techniques (microscopy, mechanical testing, DSC, rheology).
• Excellent command of English; knowledge of German is beneficial.
• Experience in proposal or publication writing is an advantage.

Required People Skills

• Highly self-organized and structured working style 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

We offer a full-time position for a researcher, with the opportunity to pursue a PhD thesis at ETH. Through close collaboration with our project partners, you will quickly establish contacts within the industry. As part of our dynamic team, you will be at the forefront of advancements 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.