Workshop and Facilities Technician

Gravis Robotics is actively expanding its Zurich team to accelerate the development of autonomous, AI-enabled heavy equipment for construction. The company, a SoftBank-backed Series A startup that grew out of ETH Zurich, blends learning-based automation with augmented remote control to give a single operator the power to guide a fleet of earthmoving machines. Their Gravis RACK retrofit kit adds autonomy to excavators and wheel loaders from 10 to 100+ tonnes, pairing sensors, GNSS RTK, rugged edge compute and offline operation with the Slate tablet and Copilot software. This onsite role in Zürich is aimed at someone who loves tinkering in a workshop and helping engineers push hardware for safe, reliable operation of large machines. If you enjoy practical problem solving, meticulous detail and hands-on fabrication, this could be a great fit.

The hire is for a Workshop and Facilities Technician who will own Gravis’ mechanical workshop and keep the environment primed for rapid prototyping and production. You’ll collaborate with teams in Zurich to support the development of custom AI hardware while maintaining a calm, organised workspace. The right person is comfortable working alone or with others and brings a practical, exploratory mindset to daily challenges.

Hands in the Zürich workshop

In this role, you’ll be the steer in the workshop, making sure the space, tools and safety systems are in place so engineers can build autonomous machinery. You’ll work with the Zurich team to keep operations smooth and you’ll be prepared to step in to run the build and test process during holidays or demand peaks as needed. You’ll approach problems with a steady, methodical mindset and a healthy curiosity about how things fit together.

On a typical day, you’ll oversee the workshop’s layout, storage, tools and cleanliness, while upholding safety standards. You’ll manage the lifecycle of tools and machines, from procurement and calibration to servicing and repair, so everything you touch performs reliably. You’ll also keep measurement instruments in a trustworthy state so data from builds and tests remains dependable. In addition, you’ll handle the broader facilities tasks around the offices and workshop, including installs, furniture moves, mounting, small builds and coordinating external contractors for ventilation, electrical and HVAC work, then reviewing results and signing off on completed work. Planning and executing workshop moves, supporting production engineering during assembly, test and final inspection, and learning the full build and test process to cover holidays or peak demand will all be part of the daily rhythm. Kitting, incoming inspection, rework and documentation of the assembly process, plus shipping, receiving and logistics, packing heavy or sensitive equipment and routing goods, round out the responsibilities you’ll own.

What you’ll need to get started

• A technical trade qualification such as Polymechaniker EFZ, or an equivalent like Automatiker EFZ, Anlagen- und Apparatebauer EFZ, Konstrukteur EFZ, or proven hands-on experience
• At least three years of hands-on work in a workshop, fabrication shop or similar setting
• Strong bench and machine skills with tools such as a bandsaw, drill press and angle grinder, plus solid layout and measurement abilities
• A meticulous approach paired with good manual dexterity
• A valid driving licence in Cat. B
• Comfort using a computer for inventory lists, supplier portals, a ticket queue and email
• Proficiency in both German and English

Nice-to-have extras

• Experience in a prototype, R&D or serial production environment
• Basic CAD experience
• Familiarity with ERP or inventory systems
• MIG/MAG/TIG welding, sheet metal work, painting and surface preparation
• Hands-on experience with soldering

Pay, perks and practical details

This is a full-time, onsite position in Zurich, focused on maintaining and running the workshop and facilities that enable Gravis to scale its autonomous heavy equipment offerings. The role requires a driving licence (Cat. B) and the ability to communicate in German and English. Gravis notes its commitment to equal opportunity and inclusion, and it does not discriminate based on race, colour, ancestry, national origin, religion, sex, sexual orientation, age, gender identity or disability.

Advice for applicants

Lead with your qualification and years of hands-on workshop experience on your résumé, placing them at the top so the hiring team sees your fit right away.

When you showcase your must-have skills, cite concrete examples where you used bandsaw, drill press and angle grinder, and describe how you produced precise layouts and measurements that informed builds or tests.

Be ready to talk about steps you’ve taken to keep measurement instruments reliable and how you’ve coordinated maintenance of tools or interacted with external contractors for ventilation, electrical or HVAC projects.

Ask a targeted question about how the workshop ties into the full build and test process for Gravis’ autonomous units, and how coverage is arranged during holidays or peak demand to ensure continuity in production.