We are seeking a hands‑on Senior Electrical Engineer who bridges the gap between electrical design and physical machine implementation. We are looking for a passionate engineer who understands industrial machinery from the PLC to the sensor; someone who can design a complex control cabinet and isn’t afraid to pick up a screwdriver to wire the prototype themselves.
You will be a key player in our Automation Team, collaborating closely with the System Design Team to define the electrical architecture of our advanced thin‑film deposition tools. You will own the electrical lifecycle: from defining requirements and reviewing schematics with suppliers to commissioning machines and executing functional tests. You will work with high‑tech components like Turbo Pumps, Mass Flow Controllers (MFCs), and E‑Beam evaporators, ensuring they are integrated, powered, and controlled perfectly.
We are looking for a profile that combines deep practical roots with engineering theory: ideally someone who started with a technical apprenticeship (or equivalent vocational training) and elevated their skills with an engineering degree. If you love seeing your schematics come to life in the lab and enjoy the challenge of making complex deep‑tech machinery run safely and reliably, this is your team.
Why this Role Matters Our machines operate in extreme conditions—ultra‑high vacuum, high temperatures, and continuous use. The electrical system is the nervous system of these tools. If a sensor fails, a safety loop is delayed, or a drive isn’t shielded correctly, the entire process fails.
This role exists to ensure that our electrical infrastructure is as robust and precise as our mechanical engineering. You are the guardian of machine safety and reliability. By ensuring compliance with safety standards (e.g. EN ISO 13849, EN 62061, EN 60204), managing our control cabinet suppliers, and rigorously testing new devices, you directly enable our tools to perform at the cutting edge of semiconductor technology.
Role Roadmap First 3 Months: Immersion & Prototyping System Familiarization: Deep dive into our existing tool architecture, working with the System Design Team to understand the interaction between the mechanical assembly, the PLC (Beckhoff), and vacuum components.
Hands‑on Prototyping: Build and wire the control cabinet for our internal prototype. This is your "initiation"—getting to know every terminal block and cable in our system.
Component Testing: Set up a testbench for a new device (e.g., a new MFC or RF Generator), executing functional tests and documenting the results.
Design Review: Review existing electrical wiring diagrams with our suppliers and identify immediate areas for optimization.
Lead Electrical Design: Take ownership of the electrical design for a new machine configuration. Collaborate with the System Design Team to define electrical requirements based on mechanical constraints, select components, and guide our external partners in creating the wiring diagram.
Supply Chain Integration: Take over electrical material planning and purchasing, ensuring that long‑lead items (PLCs, drives) are ordered in sync with the mechanical build.
Commissioning: Lead the electrical commissioning of a newly assembled machine, troubleshooting wiring errors and verifying signal I/O.
Months 6–12: Strategic Ownership & Standards Standardization: Establish clear electrical design standards and wiring guidelines for our external cabinet builders to ensure consistency.
Feedback Loop: Provide critical feedback to the System Design Team regarding the manufacturability and serviceability of the electrical integration, influencing future mechanical designs.
Advanced Testing: Develop standard functional test protocols for all machines leaving the factory, ensuring "plug and play" installation at customer sites.
Installation & Maintenance: Support the installation of a tool at a customer site or in the lab, acting as the expert troubleshooter for electrical issues.
Long‑Term Growth: Evolve with Us Safety Architect: Become the company’s internal expert on Machine Safety (CEFS/CMSE pathway), defining the safety architecture for all future products.
Automation Lead: Expand your scope into software, implementing drivers in Structured Text or optimizing the PLC architecture.
Mentorship: As the team grows, mentor junior electrical engineers or apprentices, passing on your knowledge of control systems and robust design.
What You’ll Need Educational Background: Electrical Engineering Degree (BSc FH, HF, or equivalent).
Professional Experience: 5+ years of relevant post‑graduate experience in electrical engineering, automation, or control system design for industrial machinery.
Core Experience: Proven experience with PLC hardware, industrial automation components, and control cabinet wiring. You must be able to read, critique, and create electrical schematics Commissioning: Hands‑on experience with the commissioning and functional testing of completed systems. You know how to troubleshoot a machine that doesn't work to spec.
Safety Standards: Familiarity with safety‑relevant standards, particularly ISO 13849 (Performance Levels, Safety categories).
Cabinet Wiring: You have physically wired control cabinets before and know what "good workmanship" looks like.
Languages: Excellent command of German and English (spoken and written). You will need German to communicate with local cabinet builders/suppliers and English for our internal team and documentation.
Industry Focus: Experience in Industrial Machinery / Plant Engineering.
Note: Candidates from purely Building Automation (Gebäudeautomation) or Facility Maintenance (Betriebselektriker backgrounds will not be considered.
What Would Set You Apart Certifications: Functional Safety Technician / CMSE certification.
PLC Specifics: Experience specifically with Beckhoff PLCs and EtherCAT.
Coding: Ability to write or debug code in Structured Text (ST).
Domain Knowledge: Experience with High Vacuum systems, Pneumatics, or production equipment.
The Mindset We’re Looking For Practical & Precise: You combine the precision of an engineer with the pragmatism of a technician. You care that the label is straight and the wire is ferruled correctly.
Communicator: You can explain a wiring error to a supplier clearly (in German) and discuss system requirements with a physicist (in English).
Problem Solver: When a machine acts up during commissioning, you don't just log a bug—you grab the multimeter and find the root cause.
Ownership: You treat the machine's electrical system as your responsibility, from the purchase order of the cable to the final safety check.
What We Can Offer Central Location: Our office, coating center and development space is located directly in front of Spiez train station—30 minutes from Bern. Free parking is available.
Time Off: 25 days of paid vacation, plus 7 extra company holidays including our year‑end winter break.
Parental Leave: 2 additional weeks of parental leave offered for new parents.
Workload Flexibility: 80% or 60% contracts available to support work‑life integration.
Flexible Hours & Hybrid Work: Schedule autonomy and home‑office flexibility where project work allows.
Inclusive, Respectful Culture: A small team (17 people, 10 nationalities) with open communication.
The Recruiting Process We aim to create space for mutual evaluation: for us to learn about you, and for you to assess whether this role—and our way of working—fit your skills, goals, and values.
Who You Will Meet Kevin is the creator of the software and electrical architecture of our machines and oversees the Automation Team. He is responsible for the control systems and software stack of our tools.
Recruiting: Kevin evaluates your technical expertise in control systems and software integration. He is looking for someone who can take full ownership of the electrical domain while working seamlessly with the software team.
Onboarding: He will introduce you to our automation architecture, our codebases (if relevant), and the key technical challenges we are solving in the next generation of tools.
Bryan Dousse CPO, Co‑Founder & Deputy HR – Recruiting Lead Bryan is the Chief Product Officer of Swiss Cluster and leads the System Design Team. For this position, he takes on the role of Recruiting Lead to ensure the right fit for our interdisciplinary culture.
Recruiting: Bryan organizes the process and assesses your cultural fit, communication style, and how you will integrate into our multidisciplinary startup environment.
Onboarding: He ensures a smooth entry into the company, aligning expectations and helping you navigate our workflows.
Stages of the Process Initial Evaluation: We review all applications within 10 days. If we need more details, we may contact you by email.
45 min Video Interview: You’ll speak with Kevin and Bryan about your background, experience, and how your skills match the role.
1.5h Onsite Interview: Visit us in Spiez to meet the team, tour the lab, and see our tools in action. We’ll dive deeper into the work and explore how you might contribute.
Offer & Contract: If we’re aligned, we’ll send a formal job offer along with the employment contract.
Onboarding (3 Months): Your onboarding is co‑led by Kevin and Bryan. It covers technical systems, company context, and the space for you to understand how your style and contributions fit with our work. You’ll have time to gain traction, ask questions, and test whether we’re the right place for your next step.
We’ll keep you informed throughout the process as best we can.
How to Apply Our application form is straightforward. You’ll need to submit:
Your full name
Email address
Your CV (PDF only)
All other fields are optional.
Due to Swiss permit regulations, we currently accept applications from Swiss nationals, EU citizens, and Swiss permit holders.
We are committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion. We value different perspectives, backgrounds, and learning paths—and we especially encourage applications from women, underrepresented identities, and neurodivergent candidates. Even if’re unsure whether you meet every qualification, we urge you to apply. Potential and mindset matter as much as experience.
Data Privacy By applying, you consent to your data being processed for the purposes of this recruitment. It will be accessible only to our hiring team and retained for six months. You can withdraw consent or request access or corrections by emailing us.
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