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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 18,500 people, including over 14,000 students and 4,000 researchers from more than 120 different countries.

Project Engineer

Mission

We are offering a position as mechanical engineer in the Group of Energy Materials at EPFL, Sion. Our highly interdisciplinary Lab (20 FTE, 1/3rd PhD students, 1/3rd postdocs, 1/3rd engineers) is part of the EPFL Mechanical Engineering Institute and specialised since 30 years in fuel cell and electrolysers, especially for high temperature (>600°C, solid oxide ceramics) and more recently also for low temperature (<100 °C, protonic and anionic exchange membrane polymers). Our fully equipped diagnostics lab mounts and investigates fuel cells / electrolysers, from components and single cells up to stacks and small systems (10 – 50 kW), testing durability/performance and identifying degradation phenomena. Experimental work is assisted by modeling and simulation on different levels.

We look to complement our engineer team. We design and build stacks, and different customized test benches to characterize our fuel cells, electrolysers, and more complex integrated systems including heat exchangers, chemical reactors, gas recirculation, safety sensors etc.

We are specifically looking for an additional project engineer with a solid experience in energy system PLC programming and CFD-structural mechanics. These competences will be applied during the design of low temperature electrolysers, including their balance of plants, under pressurized conditions.

Main duties and responsibilities

Main duties and responsibilities

  • take the lead and responsibility for building and commissioning the Electrolyser Test Bench.
  • participate in conception, design and execution
  • research in close collaboration with industrial and academic partners
  • participate in supervising student projects if time allows

 

Key Technical Responsibilities

  • Lead the complete design and commissioning of the Electrolyser Test Bench, from concept definition and system specification through to start-up, performance validation, and handover.
  • Coordinate procurement, assembly, and commissioning of 30–50 kW test platforms (up to 50 bar), ensuring alignment with academic and industrial partners and compliance with industrial deployment standards.
  • Conduct HAZOP studies and ATEX zoning assessments, defining safety architecture, risk mitigation measures, and required technical documentation for operation in industrial environments.
  • Develop the full system architecture, including P&IDs, component sizing (valves, pumps, heat exchangers, sensors), pressure ratings, and integration of safety systems.
  • Select, specify, order, and integrate all required components, ensuring compatibility, robustness, and suitability for industrial-site deployment.
  • Implement and validate the PLC-based control system (TwinCAT/Beckhoff), including safety interlocks, emergency logic, automated sequences, high-resolution data acquisition, and remote monitoring capabilities.
  • Support the development of a digital twin framework, enabling real-time performance tracking, diagnostics, fault detection, and predictive maintenance strategies.

 

Note: Task priorities will evolve according to project progress, technical challenges, and industrial requirements. A high degree of flexibility, adaptability, and problem-solving capability is therefore essential for this role.

Profile

  • MSc degree in Mechanical Engineering
  • Prior professional experience with process flow diagrams, P&ID and HAZOP.
  • Prior professional experience with pressurization.
  • Prior familiarity with fuel cells, electrolysers, chemical reactors is a plus but not a must.
  • Good communication skills and working as part of a team
  • Enthusiasm, curiosity, motivation, reactivity, organizational skills, rigor in experimental work
  • At least good command of English and preferably also of French (though not mandatory for French)

We offer

  • Employment at a renowned institution ranked among the leaders in engineering and technology
  • Support for professional development through training and continuous learning opportunities
  • Supportive and flexible work environment promoting work-life balance
  • Flexible to travel/move to Zurich with the start-up team.
  • Language courses relevant to your role
  • International multilingual working environment
  • Discounts on public transport

Informations

Your application should contain:

• A motivation letter
• Your detailed CV
• Contact information

• Names and contact information of 2 or more references willing to write a recommendation letter

 

Application deadline: May 31st 2026
Contract Start Date: July 1st 2026 or as per mutual agreement

 

Activity Rate Min: 80%
Activity Rate Max: 100%
Contract Type: 1 year, possible extention

Only applications submitted through the online platform are considered.

For more information, please contact: suhas.nuggehalli@epfl.ch, luc.bondaz@epfl.ch










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