Mechanical Engineer Robotics

CDDS AG; Zürich; On-site; CHF 110,000 - 140,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Direct impact on mission-critical tech

Fast-moving startup environment

Hands-on, high-ownership team

Job summary

CDDS AG, a frontier robotics startup near Zurich, seeks a hands-on Mechanical Engineer to own the mechanical design, prototyping, and manufacturing readiness of its high-speed interceptor drone. You will move components from SolidWorks into production-ready parts, optimizing weight, robustness, and assembly efficiency.

You will collaborate with drone and aerodynamics engineers on airframe integration, scaling production, and maintaining BOMs and documentation, while delivering robust mechanical

Qualifications

• BSc or MSc in Mechanical Engineering, Product Design, or similar – industry experience required.
• Strong SolidWorks proficiency (3D modelling, assemblies, drawings)
• Experience with design for manufacturing (DFM): injection moulding, 3D printing, CNC machining
• Knowledge of fastener selection and efficient mechanical joining for rapid assembly
• Hands-on prototyping experience – you build what you design
• Comfortable in a fast-paced, high-ownership startup with long hours when the mission demands it

Responsibilities

• Design and iterate on mechanical components and assemblies in SolidWorks, optimised for weight, strength, and manufacturability
• Develop 3D-printed and injection-moulded parts from concept through prototyping to production
• Design for efficient assembly: select fasteners, interfaces, and joining methods that minimise build time and maximise reliability
• Collaborate with the drone and aerodynamics engineers on airframe integration and structural design
• Support production scaling and maintain BOM, drawing packages, and assembly documentation
• Conduct mechanical testing and validate designs against real-world loads and flight conditions

Skills

SolidWorks

DFM

Prototyping

Fast-paced startup

Education

BSc or MSc Mechanical Engineering

Tools

3D Printing

Injection Moulding

CNC Machining

Job description

You want to help protect western values? You want to protect people and critical infrastructure – ultimately saving the lives of thousands?

You want to work at the frontier of high-performance autonomous systems?

Join us at CDDS to design and manufacture the next generation of high-speed kinetic interceptor drones.

CDDS specializes in developing low-collateral kinetic interceptors designed to neutralize malicious drones. Our solutions are built for precision and safety, minimizing risk to surroundings while effectively countering unauthorized or threatening unmanned aerial systems. We work at the cutting edge of counter-drone technology, delivering reliable protection for critical assets and environments.

Tasks

Your Mission

We are looking for a hands-on Mechanical Engineer to own the mechanical design, prototyping, and manufacturing readiness of our interceptor drone.
You will design components optimised for weight, robustness, and efficient assembly – taking them from SolidWorks to production-ready parts.

Core Responsibilities

• Design and iterate on mechanical components and assemblies in SolidWorks, optimised for weight, strength, and manufacturability
• Develop 3D-printed and injection-moulded parts from concept through prototyping to production
• Design for efficient assembly: select fasteners, interfaces, and joining methods that minimise build time and maximise reliability
• Collaborate with the drone and aerodynamics engineers on airframe integration and structural design
• Support production scaling and maintain BOM, drawing packages, and assembly documentation
• Conduct mechanical testing and validate designs against real-world loads and flight conditions

Requirements

Required

• BSc or MSc in Mechanical Engineering, Product Design, or similar – industry experience required
• Strong SolidWorks proficiency (3D modelling, assemblies, drawings)
• Experience with design for manufacturing (DFM): injection moulding, 3D printing, CNC machining
• Knowledge of fastener selection and efficient mechanical joining for rapid assembly
• Hands-on prototyping experience – you build what you design
• Comfortable in a fast-paced, high-ownership startup with long hours when the mission demands it

Nice-to-Have

• Aerodynamic or lightweight structures background
• Experience with FEA for structural validation
• Background in drone or UAV mechanical design
• Familiarity with GD&T and tolerance stack-up analysis
• Experience scaling from prototype to series production (2000+ units/year)

Benefits

Why CDDS

• Direct impact on mission-critical technology shaping Europe’s security landscape
• Fast-moving startup – your designs fly within days of leaving SolidWorks
• Work with a highly technical, ambitious, and hands-on team
• Real-world testing, deployments, and customer demonstrations
• Attractive compensation

Details

• Location: Close to Zurich Hardbrücke
• Start date: ASAP
• Environment: Rapidly growing deep-tech startup, high-impact mission