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Robotics Engineer for Construction Mobile Robot at Gramazio Kohler Research. 60%-100%, Zurich, fixed-term
Gramazio Kohler Research, the Chair of Architecture and Digital Fabrication at the Institute of Technology in Architecture, operates at the forefront of architectural design and production enabled through digital manufacturing techniques. We are looking for a talented Robotics Engineer to join the LAYERED team at ETH Zurich and help revolutionize automated construction. In this role, you will be driving the development of a state-of-the-art perception and locomotion/manipulation software stack operating our mobile manipulation platform to automate surface finishing tasks directly on the construction site.

Project background

The platform serves to automate a critical step in construction, where cementitious plaster is sprayed and formed directly on interior walls of a building structure, a process that is otherwise laborious and at times hazardous. To this end, LAYERED proposes a mobile manipulator robotic system that can directly use the digital model of a building to autonomously plan and execute automated plastering while maintaining safety for humans in the environment.

Job description

You will use your strong development skills to advance the existing prototype to be a robust system for 1:1 scale applications of the process. Moreover, you will have the opportunity to creatively investigate and apply new state-of-the-art methods to drive future evolutions of the system, working towards achieving full operational autonomy. Join us for this exciting and rewarding role and be one of the pioneering developers in an emerging field of construction robotics.

Your profile

Responsibilities:

- Develop robust algorithms and software for robotic plastering with a mobile manipulator
- Propose and assess new state-of-the-art techniques from relevant research literature
- Support further hardware design and development for the robotic platform
- Perform rigorous experimental testing of software stack on real system
- Conduct extensive field testing and real-world system deployments

Minimum Qualifications:

- MS degree in robotics, computer science or electrical/mechanical/aerospace engineering
- 2+ years of experience in software development in C/C++ and Python
- Proficient understanding of the building blocks comprising a robotics software stack such as state estimation, localization and mapping, navigation, motion planning, control, and simulation
- Familiarity with relevant sensor modalities (IMU, LiDAR, cameras, etc) and actuation systems
- Experience deploying and debugging software on real robots or hardware systems
- Experience working with Ubuntu and version control systems such as git
- Experience with robotics toolkits/middleware such as ROS/ROS2
- Excellent communication skills to effectively collaborate within team using agile development (English proficiency is a requirement for this position)
- Comfortable working in an early-stage startup, being self motivated with a particular attention to details, and working within ambiguity
- Capable of executing tasks that necessitate actions such as standing, kneeling, crouching, rotating the upper body, navigating through tight spaces in confined areas, and ascending/descending using hands and arms for support. This includes the capability to lift objects weighing up to 25 kg
- Must be prepared to work in various environmental conditions, which include exposure to seasonal temperature variations and outdoor elements, in dusty and loud environments

Preferred Qualifications:

- PhD in robotics or other relevant technical field
- 5+ years of experience in software development in C/C++ and Python
- 5+ years of experience developing robotic systems or relevant software/hardware systems
- Experience with Docker, cloud computing, or similar applications
- Experience with data processing, logging, and visualization tools
- Experience with toolkits/middleware such as ROS/ROS2, gRPC, LCM
- Experience with trajectory optimization, obstacle/collision avoidance, feedback control systems
- Experience with controller design (linear/nonlinear/optimal/robust control, LQR, DDP, MPC, etc)
- Experience with optimization techniques (linear/quadratic/semidefinite/nonlinear optimization, etc)
- Experience with system modeling (kinematics, dynamics, Euler-Lagrange, Newton-Euler, etc)
- Experience with state estimation (sensor fusion, Kalman filters, etc)
- Experience with deep learning software (PyTorch, TensorFlow, etc)
- Experience with deep reinforcement learning algorithms and software (PPO, TRPO, etc)
- Experience with geometry processing tools for 3D data manipulation, visualization, and analysis, (Open3D, PCL, CGAL, VTK, etc)

See full details and job posting on the official ETH Zurich Job Portal (link).

Please apply exclusively via the online application portal. Applications sent by e-mail or post will not be considered.
Coordinator and tutor of the MAS ETH Architecture and Digital Fabrication
80%, Zurich, fixed-term

The Master of Advanced Studies ETH in Architecture and Digital Fabrication (MAS ETH DFAB) seeks to extend its teaching team with a coordinator and lecturer. The MAS ETH DFAB is a one-year, full-time educational programme positioned within a vibrant multidisciplinary research environment, jointly organised by the Chair for Digital Building Technologies (DBT) led by Prof. Benjamin Dillenburger and Gramazio Kohler Research (GKR) led by Prof. Fabio Gramazio and Prof. Matthias Kohler.

Furthermore, the MAS is the educational programme of the National Centre for Competence in Research (NCCR) Digital Fabrication, one of the world’s leading interdisciplinary research clusters on digital fabrication and robotics in architecture. It is also strongly linked to the Institute of Technology in Architecture (ITA) and the Architecture Department (D-ARCH) of ETH Zurich.

The MAS ETH DFAB program introduces students to state of the art computational design, digital fabrication technologies, material innovation, and sustainable design principles. This comprehensive postgraduate course prioritizes practical experience, seamlessly connecting digital design to physical fabrication with an emphasis on robotics and the most recent architectural technologies. Tailored for professionals in architecture, engineering, and allied sectors, the MAS ETH DFAB equips its graduates with the specialist knowledge required to bring forward digital technologies in the architecture and construction field.

Job description
As a member of the MAS ETH DFAB teaching team, your role consists of the curriculum design, comprehensive planning and daily instruction of the 18 students enrolled in the MAS ETH DFAB program. The program is divided into three trimesters as follows.

First Trimester: Focuses on skill development, with an emphasis on object-oriented programming, computational design, robotic path planning, and fabrication. Your responsibilities include preparing exercises, classroom teaching, and providing individual support to students.

Second Trimester: In this phase, students collaborate to design and fabricate an architectural demonstrator using cutting-edge technology developed by ongoing research at GKR and DBT. Your tasks involve planning the trimester, creating tutorials to teach research technologies to students, and mentoring them in architectural design.

Third Trimester: Students embark on developing their own research thesis, collaborating closely with researchers at DBT, GKR as well as with external researchers and companies. Your role involves supporting both students and tutors, and supervising your own thesis projects.

This position is a unique opportunity to creatively investigate and teach new state-of-the-art methods to drive future evolutions of architecture and digital fabrication.

Your profile
- An MSc or equivalent in architecture (MArch, BSc + Postgraduate education) with a strong interest in architectural design, programming, and robotic fabrication.
- A minimum of 2 years of professional experience in architectural design or academia.
- Experienced in teaching with excellent interpersonal skills.
- At least 3 years of experience in object-oriented programming, particularly in Python, with an openness to other programming languages (C#).
- Experienced in the design to fabrication of 1:1 architectural demonstrators.
- Experienced in collaborative development and versioning in Git.
- Willing to work in teams.

See full details and job posting on the official ETH Zurich Job Portal (link).

Please apply exclusively via the online application portal. Applications sent by e-mail or post will not be considered.
Copyright 2023, Gramazio Kohler Research, ETH Zurich, Switzerland
Gramazio Kohler Research
Chair of Architecture and Digital Fabrication
ETH Zürich HIB E 43
Stefano-Franscini Platz 1 / CH-8093 Zurich

+41 44 633 49 06
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