Materials science and technology are our passion. With our cutting-edge research, Empa's around 1,100 employees make essential contributions to the well-being of society for a future worth living. Empa is a research institution of the ETH Domain.

Robotics Engineer for Drones in GPS-denied Environments

The position is part of the FireDrone project from the Laboratory of Sustainability Robotics (LSR), hosted by Empa. The team specializes in robotic systems for extreme environments, with a focus on aerial platforms, material integration, and robust autonomy. The FireDrone is the world’s first drone designed to operate safely in environments up to 200°C, addressing critical needs in firefighting and industrial inspection. You will join a fast-moving team advancing cutting-edge autonomy in real-world deployment scenarios.
Your tasks

• Design and implementation of an autonomy stack (including visual-inertial-odometry, obstacle avoidance, path planning) optimized for GPS-denied, high-temperature environments 
• Integrate and fuse data from thermal, visual, and inertial sensors to improve navigation robustness and situational awareness 
• Contribute to the design, development, and integration of hardware, perception, as well as field-testing to ensure reliable performance in operational deployments 
• Develop and implement algorithms on flight controllers and companion computers and deploy on real hardware 
• Document designs, decisions, and test results to support future development and validate software for future certification and commercialization pathways.

Your profile

• Degree (BSc, MSc or higher) in Computer Science, Robotics, Electrical Engineering, or a related field 
• 2+ years experience in Robotics Engineering 
• Proven experience with autonomous navigation, state estimation, SLAM, or sensorfusion (ideally in constrained or GPS-denied settings)
• Proficiency in C++, Python; hands on experience with Linux OS; experience with common software engineering tools (e.g. Git, Docker, Build Systems, Software Packaging); experience with ROS1/ROS2, PX4, ModalAI's VOXL2 environments and design of PCBs is a plus 
• Hands-on experience in robotic system integration, preferably with drones or embedded systems 
• Motivated by real-world impact, comfortable with field deployments, and excited about working in a startup-like environment

Our offer
We are offering a six-month position (with possibility of 6 month extension and possibility of subsequent transfer to the Spin-Off) at Empa to develop cutting-edge aerial robots operating in the world’s most extreme conditions. You will be based at the Empa campus in Dübendorf, next to Zürich with access to a state-of-the-art drone research facility. The position offers a unique chance to contribute to the global leadership of Swiss robotics in safety and industrial innovation. Applications from candidates with a passion for field robotics and meaningful impact are highly encouraged.
We live a culture of inclusion and respect. We welcome all people who are interested in innovative, sustainable and meaningful activities - that's what counts.
We look forward to receiving your complete online application including a letter of motivation, CV, certificates, diplomas and contact details of two reference persons. Please submit these exclusively via our job portal. Applications by e-mail and by post will not be considered.