Internship – Image-Based Measurement System (6-12 months)

ETH Zurich; Zürich; On-site; CHF 13,000 - 20,000; Full time

Job summary

inspire AG is seeking an enthusiastic intern to advance an industrial optical measurement system from prototype to a robust, shop-floor-ready unit. You will design mechanical parts in CAD, integrate optics and motion, and implement Python-based image analysis for automated feature quantification.

The position supports a cross-disciplinary team at ETH Zurich collaboration and offers hands-on development across mechanical design, imaging, and computer vision in Zurich.

Qualifications

• Citizenship/Swiss work permit required.
• BSc or MSc in Mechanical Engineering, Mechatronics, Robotics, Product Development or Electrical Engineering or related field.
• Practical experience or strong interest in mechanical design and CAD; prototyping or DFM experience is a plus.
• Programming and image-analysis skills (Python) and interest in computer vision or machine learning.
• Experience with cameras, microscopy, motion systems, and GUI development is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Develop the functional prototype into a robust, shop-floor ready system.
• Design mechanical components in CAD (housing, camera/optics mounts, motorized axes, fixtures).
• Integrate optical, mechanical, motion, and control components into a standalone unit and standardize image acquisition.
• Develop Python-based image-processing workflows and train/evaluate segmentation models for feature quantification.

Skills

Python programming

Image processing

GUI development

Education

BSc/MSc in Mechanical Engineering / Mechatronics

Tools

CAD

Prototyping

Manufacturing drawings

Test-bench automation

PyTorch/TensorFlow

Job description

Internship Image-Based Measurement System

100%, Zurich, fixed-term

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.

Project background

We are looking for a motivated intern to support the development of an industrial optical measurement system based on an existing functional prototype. The project combines mechanical design and CAD, optomechatronic system integration, repeatable image acquisition, and computer-vision-based image analysis.

Job description

• Develop the existing functional prototype into a robust, user-friendly measurement system suitable for use in an industrial shop-floor environment
• Design and detail mechanical components in CAD, including the housing, camera and optics mounts, motorized focusing and rotary axes, and interchangeable fixtures
• Integrate the optical, mechanical, motion, and control components into a standalone measurement unit and establish a standardized, repeatable image-acquisition procedure
• Develop Python-based image-processing and annotation workflows and train and evaluate segmentation models for the automated detection and quantification of relevant visual features

Profile

Required experience

• CH/EU/EFTA citizenship or valid Swiss work permit
• BSc/MSc studies in Mechanical Engineering, Mechatronics, Robotics, Product Development, Electrical Engineering or a related field
• Practical experience or strong interest in mechanical design and CAD. Experience with manufacturing drawings, prototyping, or design for manufacture is a plus
• Programming and image-analysis skills, preferably in Python, and an interest in computer vision, image processing, or machine learning
• Experience with cameras or microscopy, motion systems, PyTorch/TensorFlow, GUI development, or test-bench automation is a plus

Required people skills

• Self-motivated, structured, and hands-on in mechanical design, laboratory work, software development, and shop-floor environments
• Strong analytical mindset with careful and reliable experimental working habits
• Comfortable working in interdisciplinary, industry-oriented teams
• Good communication skills in English; French or German is a plus

We offer

This 6-12 month internship offers a unique opportunity to work across the complete development chain of an industrial optical measurement system: from mechanical design and CAD through system integration to image acquisition, computer vision, and validation. You will contribute directly to transforming an existing functional prototype into an industrial unit in our Zurich based Team.

Curious? So are we.

For technical questions, please contact Dr. Sebastian Lang ([e-mail]) or Dr. Markus Maier ([e-mail]). Start date is 01.11.26 or by agreement. Please also visit our website.