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EPFL, the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in Lausanne, is one of the most dynamic university campuses in Europe and ranks among the top 20 universities worldwide. The EPFL employs more than 6,500 people supporting the three main missions of the institutions: education, research and innovation. The EPFL campus offers an exceptional working environment at the heart of a community of more than 17,000 people, including over 12,500 students and 4,000 researchers from more than 120 different countries.

Mechatronics & Systems Engineer

Mission

The work place is at the Laboratory of Astrophysics (LASTRO), on EPFL campus in Lausanne, within the Astrobots Group a highly innovative multi-disciplinary and stimulating team (robotic systems for astrophysics).

Main duties and responsibilities

The primary duties and responsibilities are to develop the mechanical and electronic aspects of robotic positioner, as well as to manage the systems engineering aspects of major astronomical instruments used in optical/near-infrared telescopes. EPFL is involved in the design, procurement, assembly and testing of systems including fiber positioning units, mirror/lens systems or a combination of both.  In particular, EPFL Astrobots Group is involved in future projects using miniaturized robots for massive multi-fibers spectroscopy  projects (e.g. Spec-S5, MUST, WST), to the novel focal plane system for the MOSAIC instrument for the ELT, and steerable relay optics of of BlueMUSE for the VLT.

The principal roles of the Mechatronics & Systems Engineer are:

  • Design and develop the mechanical and electronic systems for robotic positioners of optical components for astronomy (hardware and software);
  • Design and develop electronic aspects of test benches for calibration of the fiber optic positioning systems (hardware and software);
  • Measure, characterize and calibrate the mechanical/electronic performance of the micro-robots on the test bench.
  • Develop, record, and maintain the system architecture, interface definitions (internal and external), and system level requirements;
  • Develop, maintain, and allocate critical technical performance measures (budgets) and flow down these to the various sub-systems and critical system items. Review and approve all sub-system and critical item specifications;
  • Act as an auditor on all risks impacting system performance;

Profile

The ideal candidate should hold an HES or EPF degree in Systems or Microtechnic or Mechanical Engineering with a few years of experiences or equivalent (whether in a student led project or at professional level).

  • Excellent knowledge of of CAD software (ex Solidworks, Creo);
  • Excellent knowledge of electronics board design (ex. Altium);
  • Good knowledge of brushless and stepper motors control;
  • Good knowledge of Matlab, Python and C programming;
  • Strong analytical and problem-solving skills;
  • Proven creative and open-minded to seek out solutions and alternatives;
  • Excellent organizational skills and attention to details;
  • Proven experience of project management;
  • Good to have: Knowledge in systems engineering softwares (ex. Jira, ReqSuite);
  • Good verbal and written English communication skills;
  • Team spirit.

We offer

  • A multicultural and high-quality academic environment;
  • A good team spirit in a dynamic research group;
  • Excellent working conditions;
  • Involvement in unique projects.

Informations

Contract Start Date : 12/01/2024 

Activity Rate : 100%

Contract Type: CDD

Duration: Minimum 1 year (renewable) 

Reference: 1098 










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