Responsible for propulsion control of the machine
Overview
As a Swissloop Tunneling (SLT) propulsion systems and control engineer, you’ll be in charge of implementing and operating the control of the propulsion system of our award-winning Micro Tunnel Boring Machine (MTBM), Groundhog Beta. The propulsion system comprises multiple hydraulic cylinders working together to ensure a constant pushing force.
You will join the Navigation team and work together with talented Control Engineers towards a fully autonomous Micro Tunnel Boring Machine (MTBM).
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:
- Take over responsibility for the different components of the propulsion system, such as pressure sensors, power amplifiers, and encoders
- Maintain, improve, and tune the controllers for the different phases of a propulsion cycle
- Develop new functionalities/controllers in C++ and Python
- Validate and test the controller in both simulations and the real system
- Collaborate with other subsystem’s control engineers towards a fully autonomous machine
- Help out the team in small mechanical or electrical tasks related to your subsystem
- Attend weekly meetings and working sessions
- Actively contribute to building the association’s culture
Qualifications & Skills:
- Outstanding communication and organizational skills
- High availability, commitment to the association’s cause, and active communication
- Aptitude and self-initiative for rapid decision-making and problem-solving
- Nurture a passion for tunneling and scientific research
- Able to maintain a cold spirit when faced with difficulties
- Acute attention to detail
- Control Systems I & II courses at ETH (highly recommended)
- Basics in programming (C++ &/or Python preferred; LUA is a plus)
- Experience in system modeling and Identification (highly recommended)
- Experience with hydraulic systems and schematics (preferred)
- Experience or willingness to work with small electronics (sensors mainly)
- Experience with ROS, Git, and Docker is a plus
Benefits
- You will meet several other skilled and highly motivated individuals and build long-lasting relationships that can endure outside of the association
- You will gain expertise in designing efficient communication protocols within control systems, refining essential decision-making skills crucial to project architecture, and have the opportunity to broaden your engagement by contributing to a research thesis during your internship, aligned with your studies
- You will get the opportunity to meet and exchange with experts from various industries
- You will get the chance 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
Workload
The expected workload is estimated to be around 8 to 12 hours per week, with approximately one or two hours dedicated to meetings and the rest to individual or group work. Depending on the week, you will either attend the team’s working session for around three to five hours or dedicate time to coding at your discretion.
Workplaces
We provide an office and workplace in Zürich at ETH’s Student Project House (SPH) and EMPA 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 SPH or justify your absence to your team lead.
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.