Research Engineer in Robot Hardware and Mechanical Design

Tasks

In this position, you will develop, integrate, and test hardware for autonomous robot systems, focusing on mechanical design, electronics, embedded systems, and prototyping. The work includes CAD, sensors, actuators, motors, power supply, cabling, and printed circuit board (PCB) development. You will integrate the hardware with ROS2 and verify it in simulators and real-world environments; Python/C++ are primarily used for deployment, testing, and hardware integration.

The position is linked to the project I-SEE – Integrated autonomy in air, surface, and underwater domains for extreme environments, which aims to reduce weather dependency, costs, and safety risks in marine AUV operations through applied AI for autonomous launch and recovery. The project develops collaboration between unmanned aerial, surface, and underwater vehicles. You will focus on the physical platforms and their mechanical and electrical subsystems for edge-based perception, distributed decision-making, operator support, and robust functionality in demanding environments.

The work also includes manufacturing, assembly, troubleshooting, documentation, and experiments in the lab and field. The position is located at the Department of Engineering Mechanics at KTH. You will collaborate with researchers, engineers, and external partners through design reviews, prototyping, testing, and iterative development.

Qualifications

Requirements

• A completed advanced degree (Master's level) in mechanical engineering, mechatronics, electrical engineering, technical design, or a related field.
• Experience with embedded hardware or embedded systems, including the integration of electronics, sensors, actuators, motors, or power supply.
• Very good knowledge of Python and/or C++ as well as practical experience with ROS2, especially for testing, deployment, and hardware integration.
• Experience of practical testing and integration work in a lab or field.
• Good ability to express yourself in speech and writing in English, as required in daily work.
• Ability to travel for work within Sweden and Europe.
• Driving license.

In the evaluation, we will look at:

• Technical skill in mechanical design and electronics
• Ability to design, integrate, and test robust robot hardware
• Ability to work methodically and safely in workshops, labs, and the field
• Problem-solving analytical ability within multidisciplinary design and integration problems
• Ability to collaborate
• Independence

Personal qualities

As a person, you are self-driven, solution-oriented, and meticulous. You enjoy switching between CAD, electronics and PCB work, assembly, troubleshooting, and field testing. You have good collaborative skills and contribute to a positive and professional working environment.

Meritorious

• Experience with drones, AUV/ROVs, or other marine or mobile robot systems.
• Experience handling vehicles or boats in practical field operations in relevant environments (including relevant permits for these).
• Experience in mechanical design and CAD, including dimensioning, material selection, and manufacturing documentation.
• Experience in electronics design and PCB, including schematics, layout, deployment, and troubleshooting.
• Experience with 3D printing or other prototyping, as well as Unity or other simulation environments.
• Awareness of diversity and equality issues with a particular focus on gender equality.

We will place great emphasis on personal qualities.

Become part of KTH

KTH shapes the future through education, research, and innovation. As a leading international technical university, we play an active role in driving and contributing to the transition to a sustainable society. Here, you are offered the opportunity to grow and develop in a creative and dynamic workplace with good working conditions and benefits. Equality, diversity, and equal opportunities are a matter of quality and an inherent part of KTH's values as a university and a government agency.

Read more about our benefits and what it is like to work and develop at KTH.

Union representatives

Contact information for union representatives.

Application

You apply via KTH's recruitment system. As an applicant, you are primarily responsible for ensuring that your application is complete when submitted.

The application should include:

• CV including relevant professional experience and knowledge.
• Copy of degree certificates and transcripts from your previous university studies. Translations into English or Swedish if the original documents are not issued in either of these languages.
• A brief account of why you want to conduct research, your academic interests, and how they relate to your previous studies and future goals. Max 2 pages long.

The application must reach KTH no later than the last application date at midnight, CET/CEST (Central European Time/Central European Summer Time).

About the employment

The employment is for a fixed term according to agreement - for up to 12 months, with commencement by agreement.

Other

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An employment at KTH may be subject to security clearance. If this is the case for this specific position, a security clearance of the applicant will be conducted in accordance with the Security Protection Act (2018:585) after consent. In these cases, a prerequisite for employment is that the applicant is approved after the security clearance.

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