Senior Research Engineer - Industrial AI & LLM Systems

100%, Zurich, Permanent

inspire AG is Switzerland's leading competence center for product innovation and advanced manufacturing. As a strategic partner of ETH Zurich, our mission is to transfer knowledge and technology from academic research into the Swiss mechanical, electrical, and metal industries.

The Machine Concepts research group at inspire AG is offering a position in the field of Industrial AI & LLM Systems.

Project Background

We are seeking a Senior Research Engineer to develop next-generation AI systems that integrate large language models into real-world manufacturing environments. In this role, you will design and implement AI architectures that combine industrial data, domain expertise, and modern language models. Collaboration with leading Swiss industrial partners will be essential, focusing on building robust prototypes capable of operating in actual production settings.

Job Description

• Design and implement AI-based decision-support systems for manufacturing applications.
• Develop LLM-based architectures (e.g., Retrieval-Augmented Generation, tool-augmented agents, modular AI pipelines).
• Integrate heterogeneous industrial data sources such as sensor data, laboratory measurements, engineering documentation, and expert knowledge.
• Design scalable system architectures for AI deployment in industrial environments.
• Translate research concepts into practical AI solutions for production environments.
• Build and evaluate prototypes in collaboration with industrial partners.

Profile

Required Experience

• CH/EU/EFTA citizenship or valid Swiss work permit.
• PhD in Engineering, Computer Science, Robotics, or a related field.
• Strong programming skills in Python.
• Experience with machine learning systems or LLM-based architectures.
• Experience working with complex data systems or developing applied AI prototypes.
• Familiarity with modern AI tools (e.g., LangChain, vector databases, RAG architectures) is a plus.

Required People Skills

• Self-motivated, structured, and curious about emerging AI technologies.
• Strong analytical mindset with hands-on problem-solving abilities.
• Comfortable working in interdisciplinary, industry-oriented teams.
• Fluency in German and English is required.

Workplace

The workplace fosters innovation, collaboration, and personal growth. It is an environment where your contributions will have a tangible impact on the development of advanced manufacturing technologies.

We Offer

This role presents a unique opportunity to work at the forefront of applied research and innovation. You will directly contribute to the advancement of smart manufacturing technologies and collaborate closely with Swiss industry to create measurable impact. This position blends academic insight with industrial relevance, offering an ideal foundation for professional growth in applied research and development.

Curious? So Are We.

Apply online using the form below. Please note that only applications matching the job profile will be considered.

For technical questions, please contact Dr. Markus Maier, Head of Machine Concepts (markus.maier@inspire.ch). Additionally, feel free to visit our website for further information on inspire and Artificial Intelligence in mechanics and manufacturing.