Start Date: September 2025

About this Role

We are seeking an accomplished Senior Mechanical Engineer who excels at designing and optimizing complex mechanical systems for advanced thin-film deposition equipment. This role is perfect for a hands-on engineer who thrives on solving intricate design challenges, ensuring precision, reliability, and manufacturability of cutting-edge technology.

You will be a cornerstone of our engineering team at Swiss Cluster, driving the mechanical design aspects of our Atomic Layer Deposition (ALD) and Physical Vapor Deposition (PVD) tools. This involves working across the full product lifecycle, from concept and detailed design to prototyping, testing, and manufacturing support.

This role is highly interdisciplinary and cross-functional. You will collaborate closely with electrical, software, process, and applications engineers, as well as production teams and suppliers. Your expertise will directly influence the performance, reliability, and market success of our systems. It is ideal for an experienced mechanical engineer ready to take on significant ownership and impact within a growing deep-tech company.

Why this Role Matters

Swiss Cluster develops sophisticated thin-film deposition systems and solutions critical for sectors like semiconductors, photonics, and energy. In these domains, the mechanical integrity, precision, and stability of our equipment are paramount. The flawless operation of our ALD and PVD tools hinges on robust, high-performance mechanical designs that can withstand extreme conditions (e.g., vacuum, high temperatures, corrosive environments) and remain user-centered.

This role exists because our success isn't just about the deposition process; it's fundamentally built upon the reliability and innovative mechanics of our systems. Our customers rely on equipment that operates consistently, precisely, with ease and can be manufactured efficiently.

By leading mechanical design projects, conducting advanced simulations, and optimizing designs for manufacturing and assembly, you’ll directly enhance the performance, cost-effectiveness, and reliability of our products. You’ll ensure that what we build meets the rigorous demands of advanced research and industrial production.

Role Roadmap

First 3 Months: Establish Technical & Operational Foundations

1. System Familiarization: Immerse yourself in our existing ALD and PVD tool architectures, mechanical subsystems, design principles, and engineering workflows.
2. Design Tool Integration: Master our primary CAD, FEA and PLM software tools, and understand current design practices.
3. Minor Design Improvements: Contribute to immediate design enhancements or component optimizations on existing products.
4. Supplier & Manufacturing Engagement: Begin to understand key suppliers and our internal manufacturing processes relevant to mechanical components.

Months 4–6: Lead Subsystem Design & Analysis

1. Subsystem Ownership: Take lead responsibility for the mechanical design of specific modules or subsystems within our tools (e.g., vacuum chambers, substrate handling, gas delivery manifolds, structural frames).
2. Advanced Analysis: Conduct detailed FEA (Finite Element Analysis) for stress, thermal, and vibration analysis, and potentially CFD (Computational Fluid Dynamics) for fluid dynamics in vacuum or gas delivery systems.
3. Prototyping & Testing: Oversee the prototyping, assembly, and functional testing of new mechanical designs, analyzing performance data and iterating on designs.
4. DFM/DFA Integration: Actively incorporate Design for Manufacturability (DFM) and Design for Assembly (DFA) principles into all new designs.

Months 6–12: Drive Strategic Design & Innovation

1. Major Project Leadership: Lead the mechanical design efforts for significant new product features or next-generation tool platforms, from concept to release.
2. Cross-functional Collaboration: Serve as the primary mechanical engineering interface with electrical, software, and process teams, ensuring seamless system integration.
3. Cost & Performance Optimization: Identify and implement design changes that improve system performance, reduce costs, and enhance overall product reliability.
4. Mentorship: Provide technical guidance and mentorship to junior engineers or interns, fostering a culture of technical excellence.

Long-Term Growth: Evolve with Us

1. Mechanical Roadmap Shaping: Provide strategic input into the long-term mechanical engineering roadmap, identifying key technologies and design methodologies.
2. Intellectual Property: Contribute to the development of new intellectual property through innovative design solutions.
3. Technical Leadership: Grow into a technical leadership role, potentially managing mechanical engineering projects or even a small team.
4. Industry Engagement: Represent Swiss Cluster in industry forums, conferences, or through technical publications.

Expertise You Bring

Must-Have Qualifications

1. Degree in engineering (Technical University for Applied Science, BSc. or MSc.)
2. 7+ years of hands-on experience in mechanical design for complex electromechanical systems, preferably in capital equipment, semiconductor, vacuum technology, or similar high-tech industries.
3. Proven expertise with industry-standard CAD software (e.g., Inventor, SolidWorks, NX) and strong proficiency in creating detailed engineering drawings and documentation.
4. Demonstrated experience with FEA software for structural and thermal analysis (e.g., ANSYS, Nastran, Abaqus).
5. Experience with Design for Manufacturability (DFM) and Design for Assembly (DFA), including selecting appropriate manufacturing processes (machining, welding, sheet metal, additive manufacturing).
6. Demonstrated expertise in the full lifecycle of industrial machinery, including design, installation, and optimization, with strong emphasis on practical machine safety and risk assessment in production environments.
7. Ability to produce clear, well-structured technical reports, design reviews, and presentations for both technical and non-technical stakeholders.
8. Fluency in English (written and spoken); German, Swiss German or French is a plus.

Soft Skills & Attitudes

1. Highly analytical with a strong problem-solving mindset, comfortable with ambiguity and iterative design processes.
2. Exceptional attention to detail and a commitment to precision in all aspects of design and documentation.
3. Proactive, self-motivated, and able to manage multiple design projects simultaneously.
4. Excellent collaboration and communication skills, adept at working within multidisciplinary teams (electrical, software, process).
5. Comfortable giving and receiving constructive feedback in a fast-paced R&D environment.
6. Willingness to travel occasionally for supplier visits, customer installations, or industry events.

Nice to Haves

1. Experience with PDM/PLM systems for managing design data and workflows.
2. Familiarity with cleanroom environments and ultra-high vacuum (UHV) design.
3. Knowledge of mechatronics, automation, or control systems for mechanical actuation.
4. Experience with thermal management, cooling systems, or fluid dynamics in industrial equipment.
5. Basic programming or scripting skills (e.g., Python) for design automation or data analysis.
6. Exposure to regulatory compliance (e.g., CE, SEMI standards) in equipment design.
7. Knowledge of vacuum system design principles, sealing technologies, and leak detection.

What We Can Offer

1. Central Location: Our office and lab are directly in front of Spiez train station—30 minutes from Bern.
2. Time Off: 25 days of paid vacation, plus 7 extra company holidays including our year-end winter break.
3. Parental Leave: 16 weeks fully paid for mothers; 4 weeks fully paid for fathers—two weeks beyond Swiss legal minimum.
4. Workload Flexibility: Full-time (100%) or 80% contracts available to support work-life integration.
5. Flexible Hours & Hybrid Work: Schedule autonomy and home-office flexibility where project work allows.
6. Inclusive, Respectful Culture: A small team (17 people, 10 nationalities) with open communication.
7. Growth Opportunities: Develop into technical leadership, application strategy, or product development—based on your interests and contributions.

The Recruiting Process

We aim to create space for mutual evaluation: for us to learn about you, and for you to assess whether this role—and our way of working—fit your skills, goals, and values.

Who You Will Meet

Bryan Dousse CPO & Co-Founder – Hiring Manager

Bryan is the Chief Product Officer of Swiss Cluster and leads the System Design Team. As an expert in overall system design and UX, he champions the development of robust, modular and precise equipment. He is also the hiring manager for this position and will be your closest counterpart throughout both the interview and onboarding.

1. Recruiting: Bryan evaluates your technical depth in mechanical engineering, your ability to integrate design with process requirements, and your approach to complex problem-solving and innovation.
2. Onboarding: He will introduce you to our system architecture, mechanical design challenges, and guide your first contributions to product development.

Gabriela Sanchez COO & Co-Founder – Recruiting Lead

Gabriela leads operations at Swiss Cluster AG and is responsible for how our organization scales—both structurally and culturally. As Head of People & Culture, she designs and manages our recruitment and onboarding process to ensure that new team members integrate smoothly.

1. Recruiting: Gabriela organizes the process and communicates with candidates. She also assesses how candidates think, communicate, and collaborate—and how they’ll engage with the interdisciplinary nature of our work.
2. Onboarding: Gabriela supports your transition into the organization. She helps align expectations, clarifies workflows and communication norms, and ensures that your early experience is both supported and meaningful.

Stages of the Process

1. Initial Evaluation: We review all applications within 10 days. If we need more details, we may contact you by email.
2. 45 min Video Interview: You’ll speak with Bryan and Gabriela about your background, experience, and how your skills match the role.
3. 1.5h Onsite Interview: Visit us in Spiez to meet the team, tour the lab, and see our tools in action. We’ll dive deeper into the work and explore how you might contribute.
4. Offer & Contract: If we’re aligned, we’ll send a formal job offer along with the employment contract.
5. Onboarding (3 Months): Your onboarding is co-led by Bryan and Gabriela. It covers technical systems, company context, and the space for you to understand how your style and contributions fit with our work. You’ll have time to gain traction, ask questions, and test whether we’re the right place for your next step.
6. We’ll keep you informed throughout the process as best we can.

How to Apply

Our application form is straightforward. You’ll need to submit:

1. Your full name
2. Email address
3. Work permit status
4. Your CV (PDF only)

All other fields are optional.

Work Permits

Due to Swiss permit regulations, we currently accept applications from Swiss nationals, EU citizens, and Swiss permit holders. Exceptions may be considered for candidates with rare, high-demand expertise.

Equal Opportunity

We are committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion. We value different perspectives, backgrounds, and learning paths—and we especially encourage applications from women, underrepresented identities, and neurodivergent candidates. Even if you’re unsure whether you meet every qualification, we urge you to apply. Potential and mindset matter as much as experience.

Data Privacy

By applying, you consent to your data being processed for the purposes of this recruitment. It will be accessible only to our hiring team and retained for six months. You can withdraw consent or request access or corrections by emailing us.

Good luck—we look forward to hearing from you.