Head of Innovation Project 2027 Course (m/f/d)

Introductory text
The research group of Professor Mirko Meboldt deals with innovation and product development in mechanical engineering. At its center is the connection of new technologies, research, industrial practice, and teaching. We see ourselves as partners of industry and promote continuous knowledge transfer through close cooperation with companies as well as through the education and further training of students and graduates. Our goal is to bring new technologies and innovative methods into practice and thus sustainably strengthen the competitiveness of the mechanical engineering industry.

The position is a 100% employment for 13 months and the preferred start is in March 2027.

Project background
The Innovation Project is a course in the Bachelor's degree program in Mechanical Engineering and teaches around 600 students the basics of agile product development using a practical mechatronic development project. In 108 teams, the students develop a small robot within 14 weeks – from the first idea through conception and design to the manufacture and testing of a functional system.

Development takes place in two-week sprint cycles. The teams work iteratively, check their solutions through targeted tests, and thereby gradually build an understanding of the system to be developed. At the end of the semester, the best teams compete against each other in a public competition.

The Innovation Project is not only a course but also a real laboratory for technologies, methods, and processes of industrial product development. New approaches, especially AI-supported ways of working, are developed, implemented, and tested under real conditions together with Professor Meboldt and the project team.

The course is supervised by around 40 specially trained Teaching Assistants. They coach the teams and additionally take responsibility for areas such as 3D printing, laser cutting, and mechatronics.

As the head, you bear the overall operational responsibility for the Innovation Project and the 40-member team. Together with Professor Meboldt, you are responsible for both the execution of the project and the further development and implementation of new technologies and ways of working.

The following video provides an impression of the Innovation Project and the final competition: https://youtu.be/IyoJO5QHZKg?si=R7Eef0s2o5qt-Q1Z.

Tasks/Job description
Design and overall coordination of the development project for around 600 mechanical engineering students – from conception and planning to implementation and evaluation
Recruitment and leadership of a team of up to 40 Teaching Assistants as well as the design of a motivating work environment
Operational management and further development of the Innovation Project and its development processes
Planning and coordination of workshop and machine use as well as the technical infrastructure
Planning and controlling of project resources, including personnel, material, and non-personnel costs
Close cooperation with Professor Meboldt, the lecturers, Teaching Assistants as well as the mechanics and electrical engineers of the group and other departments of ETH Zürich
Scope for design of your own ideas: Introducing and implementing suggestions for improvement as well as developing new methods and ways of working for the Innovation Project

Your profile
Required

Technical understanding and enthusiasm for innovation: You enjoy understanding technical issues, trying out new technologies, and driving solutions from idea to implementation.
Initiative and ownership: You work independently, take responsibility, and use the scope for design to continuously develop processes, methods, and the project.
Structured and solution-oriented way of working: You maintain an overview even with many parallel tasks, set priorities, and reliably advance projects.
Team and leadership skills: You communicate clearly, enjoy working with different specialists, and enjoy leading and motivating a team.
Completed or nearly completed studies in a technical field, e.g., Mechanical Engineering, Computer Science, or Electrical Engineering and Information Technology.
Very good German skills (at least C1), as the language of instruction is German.
100% availability on-site from July to December 2027 as well as Swiss, EU/EFTA citizenship or a valid work permit for Switzerland.
Preferred

Project management experience using agile methods and the use of modern tools (Moodle, GitLab Issues, AI tools)
Academic teaching experience (Lecturer, Research Assistant, Teaching Assistant)
Knowledge in handling 3D printers (FDM), laser cutters, hand tools, or mechatronics (ESP32)
Programming skills (Python, Web) as well as experience with Git, Docker, and Linux
Good English skills

We offer
Responsibility with scope for design: Take over the leadership of one of the largest courses at ETH Zürich and one of the largest project-based courses in the world – with a unique combination of technical, organizational, and leadership tasks.
Development in leadership and management: Gain comprehensive leadership experience, further develop your leadership skills, and lead a team of up to 40 Teaching Assistants.
Mentoring and professional development: Benefit from close cooperation with Professor Meboldt, the project team, and the leaders of previous Innovation Projects as well as from exciting insights into current research and industrial product development.
A strong team and good work environment: Work in a committed, interdisciplinary team with team events, short distances and – for the coffee