Responsible for the navigation, guidance, and motion-control stack of the tunnel boring machine.
Overview
As a Navigation Systems and Control Engineer, you will design and refine the systems that keep our new-generation Micro Tunnel Boring Machine (MTBM) — successor to the award-winning Groundhog Gamma — on its planned trajectory underground. You will work across sensor fusion, state estimation, and closed-loop control, integrating inertial, optical, and laser-guided inputs with the machine’s actuation system. You’ll be a driving force on Swissloop Tunneling’s (SLT) controls team to develop innovative solutions for autonomous tunneling.
The following requirements outline the optimal profile for this position. All of them can be learned or extended throughout your experience within the team — we encourage you to apply even if you don’t meet every criterion. Your reliability, commitment, and passion for innovation are the traits we value most.
Duties & Responsibilities
- Design, implement, and tune navigation and guidance algorithms (state estimation, sensor fusion, trajectory tracking).
- Develop and maintain closed-loop control of steering, advance rate, and orientation actuators.
- Integrate IMU, total-station, and laser-based positioning inputs with the on-board control system.
- Validate algorithms in simulation and on bench setups before field deployment.
- Support the team during testing campaigns and competition runs, including live troubleshooting.
- Document architectures, interfaces, and tuning parameters for the rest of the team.
- Attend weekly meetings and working sessions and contribute to the association’s culture.
Qualifications & Skills
- Background or interest in robotics, control engineering, mechatronics, aerospace, or a related field.
- Curiosity about navigation, state estimation, or autonomous systems — formal coursework welcome but not required.
- Basic programming skills in Python, C++, or MATLAB; willingness to learn new tools.
- Comfort with linear algebra, dynamics, or signal processing at an introductory level.
- Exposure to sensors (IMU, encoders, laser/optical) or simulation tools (ROS, Simulink, Gazebo) is a plus.
- Strong communication and organizational skills; able to keep a cool head when things go wrong.
- Self-initiative, attention to detail, and passion for tunneling and applied research.
Benefits
- Meet skilled, highly motivated people and build long-lasting relationships beyond the association.
- Sharpen technical and decision-making skills on a real machine; option to integrate your contribution into a semester or research thesis.
- Exchange with experts from research and industry across the project’s partner network.
Workload
Expected workload is around 10–12 hours per week, with approximately one to two hours of meetings and the rest individual or group work. You will attend the team’s working session on the weekly meeting day for around three to five hours. The remaining time is at your discretion.
Workplaces
We provide offices and workspaces in Zürich at ETH’s Student Project House (SPH) and in Dübendorf. From day one you can work independently and take responsibility for your duties and deliverables. During weekly meetings and team working sessions you must physically attend at Empa or justify your absence to your team lead.
Application
Apply by sending an email to apply@swisslooptunneling.ch or by filling out the form on our website https://swisslooptunneling.ch/join-us/ with the following:
- Your CV
- Motivation for applying and position of interest
Application deadline is the 7th of June 2026!
Please note that SLT is a voluntary research organization and does not offer any paid employment.