Responsible for design, prototyping, production, build, and testing
Overview
The Head of Mechanical & Civil Engineering (HMCE) at Swissloop Tunneling (SLT) is responsible for the Micro Tunnel Boring Machine (MTBM) design, prototyping, production, build, and testing. Together with the Head of Electrical & Software Engineering, the HMCE is the driving force within the engineering division. The HMCE’s primary mission is to set the tone, vision, and culture for the engineering division and to oversee its long-term development. As an operative team member, the HMCE oversees the team’s proceedings and day-to-day activities and actively participates in the yearly leadership decision-making process.
The following requirements outline the optimal parameters we seek for this position. However, all of them can be learned or extended throughout your experience within the team. We encourage you to submit your application even if you don’t meet all the criteria. Your reliability, commitment, and passion for innovation are the most valuable traits we look for.
Duties & Responsibilities:
- Contribute to the team’s tone and culture within the engineering division: As a student-based project, the association needs core values and principles to operate consistently, efficiently, and ethically. The HMCE primarily contributes to establishing those values and principles and ensures that everyone within their team understands and follows them.
- Contribute to the association’s long-term vision: The HMCE supports the board with setting the narrative for SLT concerning technical developments and innovation, and steering the association toward concrete, feasible long-term goals – i.e., urban tunneling with innovative MTBMs,
- Align with the leadership team’s members on high-level, short- to long-term objectives. The Leadership must operate as a single unit before the team and external stakeholders.
- Oversee the association’s technical development: The HMCE oversees the association’s technological development. They contribute to defining standards and designing innovative and reliable MTBMs. Some of the HMCE’s direct responsibilities are:
- Plan and oversee the MTBM mechanical design from first drafts to final CAD models, technical drawings, and renderings.
- Plan and oversee the development of different parts of the MTBM (e.g., hydraulics, erosion and material transport, tunnel lining (pneumatic conveyor + thermal regulation), and granulate extrusion).
- Oversee prototyping and production of the MTBM by maintaining professional and long-lasting relationships with partner industries.
- Oversee testing of the MTBM by agreed-upon procedures with the HESE
- Communicate the goals, timeline, and vision of the association with all team members and external stakeholders
- Actively communicate with and participate in the leadership decision-making process.
- Organize and participate in official events.
- Lead and moderate the technical-lead meeting and actively participate in weekly mechanical subteam meetings (Erosion, Tunnel Lining, Propulsion, Infrastructure)
Qualifications & Skills:
- Outstanding Communication and organizational skills
- Very high availability, commitment to the association’s cause
- Aptitude and self-initiative for rapid decision-making and problem-solving
- Nurture a passion for tunneling and scientific research
- Able to maintain calm when faced with difficulties
- Attention to detail
- Fast learner and willing to participate in extensive knowledge transfer process
- Studying Mechanical or Process Engineering (or equivalent background)
- Knowledge in the production of components (e.g., welding, milling, laser cutting)
- Having experience in manual work and being handy with tools is recommended
- Prepared to work professionally with industry partners and willing to adhere to the team’s standards
- Fluent in English
- Previous experience as a project manager for similar-sized projects (e.g., Aris, Swissloop, Celsius, AMZ, etc.)
Benefits
- You will be able to meet several other skilled and highly motivated individuals and build long-lasting relationships that can endure outside of the association
- You will get the opportunity to meet and exchange with experts in the industry
- You will get the opportunity to participate in Elon Musk’s competition, the Not-A-Boring-Competition, in the Spring of 2025 and exchange with engineers from The Boring Company
- You will learn about all systems of a TBM, gain more experience in project management, apply your field-specific knowledge, work with various tools and equipment
- You will get the opportunity to meet and exchange with experts from various industries
- You will communicate with various stakeholders in the industry and are very likely to receive multiple job offers during and after your participation in the association
- Your contribution will have a long-lasting impact on the development of the association
Workload
The expected workload is estimated to be around 12 to 24 hours per week, with approximately four or six hours dedicated to meetings and the rest to individual or group work. Depending on the week, you will either attend the subteam’s working or testing sessions for around three to five hours or dedicate time at your discretion to planning, communicating, and developing the association’s long-term vision.
Workplaces
We provide an office and workplace in Zürich at ETH’s Student Project House (SPH) and EMPA in Dübendorf. From day one, you will work independently and take responsibility for your duties and deliverables. During weekly meetings and working sessions, you must physically attend at SPH or EMPA.
Application
Apply to the team by sending an email to apply@swisslooptunneling.ch or by filling out the form on our website https://swisslooptunneling.ch/join-us/ containing the following information:
- Your CV
- Motivation for applying and position of interest
Please note that SLT is a voluntary research organization and does not offer any paid employment.