Senior Robotics Architect — Technical Lead (Construction)

VITO Research; Belgique; Hybrid; USD 108,102 - 147,929; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid work flexibility

Competitive salary package

Training and development

Strong work-life balance

Global research network

Diversity and inclusion

Job summary

VITO is seeking a Senior Robotics Systems Architect (Technical Lead) to shape CRIB's robotics direction. You will lead architecture, guide development of robotic platforms, and mentor engineers across interdisciplinary teams.

You will collaborate on AI-enabled robotics and automated construction innovations, translating research into robust, scalable systems while advancing VITO's global partnerships. Hybrid work and international collaboration are offered.

Qualifications

• Master's or PhD in Robotics, Mechatronics, Mechanical, Electrical or Computer Engineering or related discipline.
• At least 8 years of experience in robotics R&D or advanced automation.
• Proven ability to design and integrate complex robotic systems from concept to prototype validation.
• Strong software architecture and system integration skills, including ROS2.

Responsibilities

• Lead the technical architecture and systems integration of robotic platforms for construction and industrial renovation.
• Design and develop robotic solutions integrating mobile platforms, manipulators, sensors, AI, and digital construction workflows.
• Contribute to software architecture development, system integration, testing and validation.
• Provide technical leadership to the robotics team and establish reusable software/hardware building blocks.
• Collaborate with mechatronics, controls, AI, sensing, and building technologies experts to create integrated solutions.
• Contribute as senior technical expert to Flemish and European research projects within CRIB.
• Translate robotics technologies into industrially relevant applications and assist proposal development.
• Develop CRIB's robotics infrastructure, including workshop and test environment.
• Represent VITO in collaborations with partners and research consortia.

Skills

Robotics systems engineering

Software architecture

System integration

ROS2

Industrial/ collaborative robots

Autonomous mobile robots

AI for robotics

Leadership / mentoring

English proficiency

Dutch language (asset)

Education

Master's degree in Robotics/related

PhD preferred

Tools

ROS2

Gazebo

Simulation tools

Job description

As a leading European research centre, VITO brings together more than 1,300 employees to translate scientific insights into technological innovations, AI-driven solutions, and policy advice with real societal impact. Our mission is clear: to create a sustainable and promising future for our world. Join us in making this vision a reality!

The group for Construction Robotics and Innovative Building Envelopes (CRIB) at VITO is dedicated to advancing sustainable and industrialised construction. Our primary objective is to develop next-generation building envelope systems, supported by innovative design methodologies, robotics, and digital construction workflows.

We coordinate and contribute to high-impact Flemish and European R&I projects in industrial renovation and construction innovation, such as RENOMIZE, SOLMATE, oPEN Lab, and FRAIMwork.

Within these projects, we develop innovative prefabricated façade systems, automated construction processes, and robotics solutions for the built environment.

Our team is equipped with the THOREAQ lab infrastructure, which includes real-scale twin buildings for A-B testing of novel construction systems and components, a robotic workshop for system development and prototyping, and an outdoor construction lab for demonstration and implementation.

Through our active involvement in applied R&I projects and strategic collaborations with industrial partners, CRIB contributes to a more climate-resilient, affordable, and circular built environment.

To strengthen our rapidly growing robotics activities, we are looking for a Senior Robotics Systems Architect (Technical Lead) to join our interdisciplinary team.

Are you an experienced robotics engineer who can turn ambitious ideas into working prototypes that will shape the future of the construction sector? Do you combine technical depth with the ability to guide and inspire fellow engineers and innovation partners? Are you excited by autonomous mobile robots, AI-enabled robotics, advanced automation and construction innovation? Then join us at VITO and help shape the future of construction robotics.

Your role

As Senior Robotics Systems Architect (Technical Lead), you will play a central role in shaping the technical direction of CRIB's rapidly growing robotics activities. Working at the intersection of robotics, automation, AI, and construction engineering, you will lead the design and integration of next-generation robotic systems for industrialised construction and renovation.

This is a hands-on technical leadership role. You will define system architectures, guide the technical development of robotic platforms, mentor fellow robotics engineers, and actively contribute to the implementation of innovative robotic solutions. Together with an interdisciplinary team of robotics and construction experts, you will help transform ambitious research ideas into robust, scalable and impactful technologies.

You will help establish reusable robotics platforms and engineering practices that enable CRIB to efficiently develop successive generations of robotic solutions across multiple research and innovation projects.

You will

• Lead the technical architecture and systems integration of robotic platforms for construction and industrial renovation

• Design and develop robotic solutions integrating mobile platforms, robotic manipulators, custom mechatronics, sensors, AI, and digital construction workflows

• Actively contribute to the implementation of robotic systems, including software (architecture) development, system integration, testing and validation

• Provide technical leadership to the robotics team, coaching colleagues and helping establish engineering best practices, reusable software and hardware building blocks, and common system architectures

• Collaborate closely with experts in mechatronics, controls, AI, sensing, digital construction and building technologies to develop integrated robotic solutions

• Contribute as senior technical expert to Flemish and European research and innovation projects across the CRIB portfolio

• Translate emerging robotics technologies into practical applications with industrial relevance.

• Support proposal development and help shape future robotics research directions together with the CRIB management team

• Further develop CRIB's robotics infrastructure, including the robotic workshop and outdoor construction robotics test environment

• Represent VITO in collaborations with leading research organisations, including Flanders Make and BuildWise, industrial partners and European research consortia

• Act as a technical ambassador for the team by sharing research results at conferences and robotics events, contributing to publications, and coaching junior researchers and PhD students where appropriate

• A Master's or PhD degree in Robotics, Mechatronics, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering or a related discipline

• At least 8 years of experience in robotics R&D, robotic system development or advanced automation, preferably within applied research or industrial innovation

• Demonstrated experience designing and integrating complex robotic systems from concept to prototype validation

• Strong expertise in robotic systems engineering, software architecture and system integration, including ROS2 and modern robotics software development practices

• Experience integrating industrial robots, collaborative robots, autonomous mobile robots or other advanced robotic platforms

• Solid understanding of robot kinematics, motion planning, control, perception and AI-enabled robotics

• A hands-on engineering mindset with the ability to combine strategic technical thinking with practical implementation

• Experience working in multidisciplinary development teams involving software, electronics, mechanics and application experts

• Strong communication skills and the ability to coach and technically guide fellow engineers

• Fluency in English is required. Knowledge of Dutch is considered an asset

Bonus Skills

• Experience with construction robotics, field robotics, mobile manipulation or autonomous outdoor robotic systems

• Experience with robot perception, computer vision, sensor fusion or AI for robotics

• Experience integrating robotic hardware, embedded systems and safety architectures

• Experience with simulation and digital twins (Gazebo, Isaac Sim or similar)

• Experience coordinating technical work packages or leading engineering teams within collaborative R&D projects

• Experience with European research and innovation projects (Horizon Europe, Interreg, VLAIO, etc.)

• A track record of translating research into demonstrators, industrial pilots or commercial innovation

• Experience contributing to open-source robotics software or reusable robotics platforms

Offer

• Hybrid work flexibility – Your activities determine your workplace! You’ll primarily work from our EnergyVille Genk office, but remote work and other VITO locations (Antwerp or Leuven) are possible.

• Competitive salary package, including extra-legal benefits such as allowances, insurance, and modular holiday options.

• Innovation is at our core – We invest in training and development, ensuring our team remains at the forefront of the industry.

• We highly value a good work-life balance at VITO. This is achieved by adopting a flexible attitude depending on your specific needs.

• An established national and international network of research and industry partners enabling us to conduct applied research with real impact.

• At VITO, we are committed to building a diverse, inclusive, and equitable work environment. We welcome applicants from all backgrounds, regardless of gender, age, ethnicity, disability, sexual orientation, or cultural identity.