R&D Mechanical Engineer

Distalmotion SA; Épalinges; On-site; CHF 100,000 - 140,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Cutting-edge medical technology

Structured onboarding program

Autonomy and flexibility

Job summary

Distalmotion SA is seeking an experienced R&D Mechanical Engineer to lead the design of high-precision mechatronic subsystems for our next-generation surgical robot. You will work from concept through verification, building robust mechanical solutions and collaborating across electrical, software, systems, and clinical teams.

Responsibilities include end-to-end design, test bench development, design transfer to manufacturers, and ensuring compliance with ISO 13485 and IEC 60601-1.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s or Master's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Mechatronics or related engineering discipline.
• Minimum of 3+ years of professional mechanical design experience.
• Experience with cobots/robotics platforms or high-precision robotic joints/actuators is preferred.
• Strong design for manufacturability and reliability principles.
• Excellent written and spoken English communication.

Responsibilities

• Lead end-to-end design and development of high-precision mechatronic subsystems for surgical robotics.
• Perform detailed design using SolidWorks, FEA, and tolerance stack-ups; apply DFM/ DFA.
• Collaborate with cross-functional R&D teams to prototype, validate, and iterate platforms.
• Build custom test benches and verification protocols; document results.
• Support design transfer to contract manufacturers and supplier qualification.
• Maintain compliance with medical device standards and DHF documentation.
• Contribute to risk management and design reviews with stakeholders.

Education

Bachelor’s or Master’s in Mechanical Engineering or Mechatronics

Tools

SolidWorks

FEA

3D CAD

DFM/DFA

CNC Milling

Injection Molding

Additive Manufacturing

Job description

As a R&D Mechanical Engineer within our Mechanical team, you will lead development of mechanical systems and subsystems of our next-generation surgical robot from the early concept to the to a verified product.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

R&D & Mechatronic Subsystem Design

• Lead the end-to-end design and development of high-precision mechatronic subsystems for surgical robotics, translating clinical and industrial design inputs into simple and robust mechanical solutions.
• Execute detailed design work utilizing 3D CAD (Solidworks), finite element analysis (FEA), and worst-case tolerance stack-up analyses. And applying DFM/DFA principles to optimize cost, yield, and assembly efficiency.
• Collaborate within cross-functional R&D teams (Electrical, Software, Systems, and Clinical) to rapidly prototype, validate, and iterate robotic platforms and subsystems.

Verification, Testing & Tooling

• Architect, build and document custom mechatronic test benches and automated test fixtures for design verification, fatigue testing, and end-of-line production testing.
• Author and execute verification protocols and reports to prove subsystem performance against medical device requirements.

Design Transfer & Supply Chain

• Support Design Transfer to Contract Manufacturers, by transferring technical knowledge to industrialization teams, reviewing Work Instructions and pFMEAs, and supporting process-specific tool development.
• Support mechanical supplier selection and qualification, support root-cause analyses for supplier-related quality issues (NC/CAPA).

Medical Device Compliance & Lifecycle

• Maintain full compliance with medical device standards (e.g., ISO 13485, IEC 60601-1, ISO 14971) and author compliant Design History File (DHF) documentation.
• Plan and execute Engineering Change Requests, ensuring robust risk management and traceability.
• Chair formal technical design reviews and present architectural decisions to cross-departmental stakeholders and leadership.

Work Experience and Education requirements

• Education: Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Mechatronics or a related engineering discipline.
• Relevant Experience: Minimum of 3+ years of professional mechanical design experience, with ideally direct expertise in collaborative robots (cobots), robotics platforms, or high-precision robotic joints/actuators.
• Full-Lifecycle DFX Mastery: Proven track record in end-to-end product design, incorporating Design for Excellence principles:
  • Design for Manufacturability & Assembly (DFM/DFA)
  • Design to Cost (DTC)
  • Design for Reliability & Serviceability (DFR/DFS)
• Testing & Prototyping: Demonstrated hands-on experience with rapid prototyping, physical assembly, formal design reviews, and reliability/verification testing.
• Language Skills: Professional proficiency in written and spoken English, with strong technical communication skills

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities required

• SolidWorks & Multi-Process Manufacturing: Expert-level proficiency in 3D CAD (SolidWorks) with deep domain knowledge in designing components for diverse manufacturing processes, including:
  • CNC Machining & Precision Milling
  • Metal Casting, Forging & Sheet Metal Fabrication
  • Additive Manufacturing / 3D Printing
  • Injection Molding
• Cross-Functional & Supplier Management: Strong ability to lead technical execution with external development partners, contract manufacturers, and component vendors, as well as collaborating across interdisciplinary R&D teams (Software, Electrical, Systems, Quality).
• Analytical Problem Solving: Passion for dissecting complex mechanical challenges and engineering elegant, simple, high-reliability solutions for robotics.
• Drive & Ownership: Self-motivated engineer with high autonomy who thrives in a fast-paced, collaborative team environment, maintaining accountability, technical curiosity, and a positive team culture

What we offer

• A dynamic, innovative environment with cutting-edge medical technology that is shaping the future of robotic surgery.
• Fast-growing Company where innovation meets agility.
• Structured onboarding program and training, ensuring a confident start.
• High degree of autonomy and flexibility.