Lead Test and Research Engineer

About the job

Location: Dübendorf, Zurich | Start date: January 1st 2026 or by agreement | Type of employment: Permanent

About us:

The EuroTube Foundation is a Swiss non-profit research organization for sustainable infrastructure technologies. The Foundation has the goal to foster R&D with industry as well as the construction of sustainable infrastructures in the domain of vacuum transport a.k.a hyperloop. At EuroTube, you get the chance to work at the forefront of the development of a new transportation mode.

You will work in a small team on an interactive and personal level. Our biggest asset is our team, and you get to shape your own place in it:

• Pioneer the future:
  You get the opportunity to work on the future of hyperloop, as well as the chance to help us build our research organization.
• Dynamic and Impactful Roles:
  Join a team where your contributions have a direct and visible impact on our growth and success. We offer high responsibility and decision power. We are encouraging innovative thinking and new ideas. You are not just a part of the process, you are shaping it.

Position description:

As Senior Test and Research Engineer, will be responsible for conducting a state-funded Innosuisse project together with an industry partner in cross-disciplinary fields on mechanical engineering, material sciences and civil engineering. Your main focus will be:

• Deliver milestones according to project timeline
• Conduct testing campaigns with the industry partner taking testing requirements into account. These testing campaigns also include the data collection and post-processing of measurements for presentations and reports.
• Ensure stakeholder satisfaction and alignment with all deliverables and milestones defined in the project proposal
• Manage communication across industrial and academic partners.
• Define hyperloop-relevant system requirements for both overground and underground transportation
• Collaborate with EuroTube's LCA team to outline and output a Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) tool
• Conduct modeling on leakage behaviours of membrane-concrete structures to validate results with laboratory tests
• Work jointly with the DemoTube Team to simplify and optimize the existing leakage post-processing tool to enhance performance and reduce debug efforts with python

Your challenge is to gather the sufficient technical information from both external and internal stakeholders to accomplish the project milestones and deliverables. You will be part of the DemoTube Team, that is in charge of building the research test track for hyperloop applications.

Additional areas of responsibility:

• Assist the DemoTube team with commissioning activities, including automation for DemoTube Phase 1 systems (e.g. Airlock rail bridging system), sensor integration, calibration and post-processing for DemoTube Phase 2.
• Support the construction of the EuroTube's concrete pipe with the conception of technical drawings and manufacturing of selected components.
• Scout, develop and acquire follow-up projects within the Foundation's goal of developing and implementing sustainable infrastructure.
• Contribute to the publication of findings through technical reports, scientific papers, patents, and conference presentations.

Your Skills - What are we looking for?

• Technical background in mechanical engineering, material sciences or a related discipline.
• Very good command of English. German at least at B2 level.
• Experience in project management or project leadership, as well as structuring projects and approaches.
• Minimum of 3 years of professional experience
• Experience in stakeholder management is a must.
• Practical experience in laboratory environments. Conception and construction of test benches is beneficial.
• Practical experience in workshops is a plus.
• Solid knowledge on programming softwares such as python

Your Personality

• Strong interpersonal skills — you can communicate and mediate content clearly and precisely across people with different technical backgrounds.
• In our small team (15–20 people), you work independently, learn quickly, and contribute your own ideas. You take decisions responsibly and show a proactive attitude towards collaboration and communication
• You communicate openly and constructively — solution-oriented and with mutual respect
• You combine your technical expertise and academic background with a pragmatic approach suitable for the situation at hand.

What we offer

• A dynamic, international team of 15–20 professionals.
• A fixed term position with flexible working hours and up to 40% home office.
• The opportunity to shape your role within the organisation and actively contribute to the future of sustainable infrastructure.
• We provide an office and workplace in Zürich (in Dübendorf).