Senior Research Engineer / Senior Research Engineeress

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 looking for a Senior Research Engineer to build 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 knowledge, and modern language models. You will collaborate with leading Swiss industrial partners and focus on building robust prototypes that can operate in actual production environments.

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 settings
• 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

Your work environment will be dynamic, collaborative, and focused on innovative solutions in the field of AI and manufacturing.

We Offer

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

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. Markus Maier, Head of Machine Concepts at markus.maier@inspire.ch. Please also visit our websites inspire and Artificial Intelligence in mechanics and manufacturing.