Robotics - Control Engineer

1000scholars; Zürich; Presencial; CHF 90.000 - 130.000; Jornada completa

Descripción de la vacante

ETH Zürich’s Institute for Dynamic Systems and Control seeks a Robotics - Control Engineer for a fixed-term project (~18 months) in Zürich. You own the behaviour of physical robots, implement real hardware software and run field tests including Lake Zürich days.

You will work closely with sensors, actuators, and electrical interfaces, write and debug C/C++ and Python, and translate field data into improved control strategies. This is an early-career role with hands-on bench and in-field work.

Formación

• Hands-on robotics experience with real hardware
• Experience in control/estimation of physical systems
• Proficient in C/C++ and Python
• Experience shipping software on robots or cyber-physical systems

Responsabilidades

• Own robotbehaviour: motion, intent, coordination and safe failure
• Turn ideas into working software on real hardware and run experiments
• Work with sensors, actuators, and electrical interfaces; close loops from field data
• Make testing and commissioning repeatable and well-documented

Conocimientos

Robotics

Control systems

C/C++

Python

Field testing

Educación

Engineering degree

Herramientas

ROS/ROS 2

Embedded systems

Descripción del empleo

Robotics - Control Engineer

100%, Zurich, fixed-term

100%, IDSC - Research D'Andrea, Fixed-term project staff (~18 months)

Job description

• Own the behaviour of physical robots: how they move, hold intent, coordinate and fail gracefully.
• Turn ideas into working software on real hardware, then harden it with experiments you help design and run.
• Work at the seams with sensors, actuators, mechanical limits and electrical realities. Close loops from field evidence back into better behaviour.
• Make testing and commissioning something the team can repeat, not a one-off heroics exercise.
• Share what you learn: clear notes, teachable setups, and room for students and colleagues to build on your work.

Profile

• About 0–5 years of hands‑on experience after your degree. Internships, thesis projects, Focus projects and paid project work count. This is an early‑career project‑staff role.
• A background in robotics, control, mechanical or electrical engineering, computer science, or equivalent practice. Depth in dynamics, estimation or control of physical systems.
• Evidence you have shipped behaviour on real robots (or comparable cyber‑physical systems), not only simulation.
• Hands‑on work is required, not optional: you write, run and debug software on real hardware yourself — bench bring‑up, field trials, logs and measurements — not desk‑only or simulation‑only work.
• Comfort writing and debugging software that talks to hardware (for example C/C++, Python, or similar).
• Judgement under incomplete information: you investigate, measure, decide, and iterate.
• Appetite for outdoor and on‑water testing. Field days are part of the job, including Lake Zürich and partner sites.
• An independent working style, and documentation habits that help a small team scale.

We care more about how you think and what you have finished than about a matching keyword list. This is project engineering work, not a doctorate. Experience with ROS/ROS 2, embedded or real‑time constraints, multi‑robot systems, or published technical work is welcome if you have it.

How you grow here

You start with a control and autonomy focus. Over the project, the work naturally reaches into estimation, planning interfaces, system integration, field campaigns, and safety‑minded verification. Mechanical and electronics colleagues own their layers. You learn enough of theirs to integrate well. Growth here means broader robotics craft and ownership inside a fixed‑term project. There may separately be an opportunity to join a planned spin‑off early if that is a mutual fit after or alongside project delivery.

Working with the team

You will also work closely with established entrepreneurs, world‑class scientists, and engineers who are artists. They are people who have built a billion‑dollar company, sent hardware to the International Space Station, and created live performance‑art installations at the Venice Biennale.

We value diversity and sustainability

In line with our values, ETH Zurich encourages an inclusive culture. We promote equality of opportunity, value diversity and nurture a working and learning environment in which the rights and dignity of all our staff and students are respected. Visit our Equal Opportunities and Diversity website to find out how we ensure a fair and open environment that allows everyone to grow and flourish. Sustainability is a core value for us - we are consistently working towards a climate‑neutral future.

Curious? So are we.

Further information about Institute for Dynamic Systems and Control can be found on our website. Questions regarding the position should be directed to Aswin Karthik Ramachandran Venkatapathy, [e-mail] (no applications).

About ETH Zürich

ETH Zurich is one of the world’s leading universities specialising in science and technology. We are renowned for our excellent education, cutting‑edge fundamental research and direct transfer of new knowledge into society. Over 30,000 people from more than 120 countries find our university to be a place that promotes independent thinking and an environment that inspires excellence. Located in the heart of Europe, yet forging connections all over the world, we work together to develop solutions for the global challenges of today and tomorrow.