Senior Mechanical Engineer

Gravis Robotics builds technology that turns heavy construction machines into intelligent, autonomous robots. Our unique combination of learning-based automation and augmented remote control lets one operator safely conduct a fleet of earthmoving machines with super-human productivity. We are actively deploying with global market leaders in construction and mining, and scaling fast.

We’re looking for a Senior Mechanical Engineer to join our hardware team in Zurich. You’ll design, validate, and bring to production the hardware systems that make autonomous excavation possible, and just as importantly, you’ll define how we do that work. We’re at an inflection point: moving from early production into a scale‑up phase, with a next‑generation platform on the horizon. This role is an opportunity to shape the engineering processes, design practices, and validation workflows that will underpin everything we build from here.

If you’ve spent years in automotive or heavy‑equipment engineering and want to apply that rigor in a fast‑moving environment where your decisions ship to the field in weeks instead of years, keep reading.

• Own the mechanical design and validation of core hardware systems, including ruggedised compute enclosures, sensor assemblies, cable management, and machine integration components, from concept through series production release.

• Define and implement structured design verification and validation workflows (DVP&R, DFMEA, design reviews, sign‑off gates). Establish what "done" looks like for a mechanical design at Gravis and hold the team to it.

• Apply a rigorous, manufacturing‑aware design approach: create production‑ready CAD, detailed drawings, and documentation that can be handed off cleanly to manufacturing for build and supplier engagement.

• Mentor and influence the broader hardware team by embedding V&V thinking into daily practice, not as a separate gate, but as a way of working. Lead by example on your own designs and raise the bar for the team.

• Contribute to next‑generation hardware development, bringing structured design methodology from the outset so that new products are designed for function, manufacturability, and testability from day one.

• Work across disciplines, collaborating closely with electrical, firmware, and applications engineers to integrate sensors, compute, and wiring into robust, field‑proven systems deployed on heavy construction equipment.

• A university degree in Mechanical Engineering or a related field.

• 5+ years of professional experience in mechanical design for series‑manufactured products, ideally in automotive, off‑highway, heavy equipment, or similarly demanding industries. You’ve taken designs from concept through production launch and supported them in the field.

• Strong proficiency in 3D CAD (Solid Works preferred), with disciplined documentation habits: assemblies, detailed 2D drawings, BOMs, and revision‑controlled file management.

• Demonstrated experience owning design verification and validation: writing test plans (DVP&R or equivalent), designing test fixtures, interpreting results, and driving design decisions based on data.

• Practical experience designing hardware for harsh operating environments: IP‑rated enclosures, vibration, thermal extremes, dust, and moisture. You understand material selection, DFM, and GD&T for production‑ready parts.

• Experience with structured risk analysis and quality tools: DFMEA, root‑cause analysis (8D or equivalent), and corrective action processes.

• Experience working with PDM/PLM systems for revision control and engineering change management.

• A track record of improving engineering processes in a growing or scaling organisation, whether that’s introducing design review practices, formalising test procedures, or building quality systems that didn’t exist before.

• The ability to work effectively in a fast‑paced, hands‑on environment where you’ll be prototyping, testing, and iterating alongside a small team. This is not a desk‑only role.

• Excellent command of English, both written and spoken.

• Background in automotive, off‑highway, or heavy‑equipment industries, including…