About this role
Want to become an innovator?
Join us at the forefront of the robotics industry, developing and deploying a new generation of drones capable of physical interaction with the world - which makes them actual flying robots.
Spun off from the world-renowned Autonomous Systems Lab of ETH Zurich in 2019, Voliro was awarded the Top Swiss Robotics Startup 2022 and named one of the Top 10 most innovative companies in robotics 2023 worldwide. In 2024, we won the Swiss Economic Award in the category "Deeptech/Life Sciences".
After releasing our first generation product in September 2022, we have proved product-market fit in early 2023. Now, our next mission is to scale the business and create an unmatched customer experience around the core product.
Headquartered in Zurich, Switzerland, our growth markets are in North America as well as Europe. Our office in Houston amplifies sales and customer support in North America.
Mechanical Engineering Intern
Start date: ASAP
Duration: 6 months or more
Location: Zurich
Your role
As a Mechanical Engineering Intern you will be the hands-on mechanical force of our Labs team, the group where we rapidly experiment with and test novel approaches for the next generation of Voliro products. Your mission is speed: turning Labs ideas into testable hardware fast. You will build prototypes, test rigs, and proof-of-concept mechanisms that let us validate novel concepts within days and weeks rather than months. You will report directly to our VP of Engineering, while our two senior mechanical engineers and the wider development team support you with guidance, design reviews, and workshop know-how.
This is a hands-on role with real ownership: your parts will fly, your rigs will be used every day, and your experiments will directly shape which concepts make it into the product. You will also collaborate with our product organization and customer success team to keep your work grounded in real customer needs. The exact projects depend on the current needs of Voliro as well as your skills and interests, and will be discussed during the interview process.
What You'll Do
• Drive rapid experimentation in Labs: Own the mechanical side of Labs initiatives: build proof-of-concept mechanisms, test rigs, and functional prototypes. Design, build, test, learn, repeat.
• Design and prototype: Create parts and assemblies in CAD, from experimental mechanisms and payload mounts to sensor integrations, and iterate quickly using 3D printing, machining, and other rapid prototyping methods.
• Test and validate: Plan and run experiments on new concepts and components, and join system integration and flight tests to see how your work performs in real-world conditions.
• Work with the hardware team: Draw on our senior mechanical engineers and electrical engineers for guidance and design reviews, and prepare promising concepts for productization.
• Collaborate across the company: Work with our product organization and customer success team to make sure Labs experiments solve real customer problems.
• Be part of the team: At a startup, there are no idle roles, only new tasks, quick fixes, and workshop improvements to come your way as they pop up.
Your profile
We care more about your DNA than your CV: we are looking for a builder, someone whose instinct is to make a prototype work rather than a slide deck.
Must-haves:
• A builder's mentality: a track record of actually making things: personal projects, student teams, workshop builds, and the drive to get hardware into your hands fast.
• Ongoing or completed degree in Mechanical Engineering or a related field.
• Proficiency in CAD tools (e.g., SolidWorks) for 3D modeling and technical drawings.
• Hands-on experience with prototyping: 3D printing, machining, or workshop fabrication.
• Proactive, pragmatic, and entrepreneurial, with a hands-on problem-solving attitude.
• Comfortable with ambiguity and evolving requirements, balancing speed and rigor.
• Strong communication skills and the ability to collaborate across teams.
• Eagerness to get challenged with real-world robotics problems.
An outstanding candidate also has:
• Prior experience from Formula Student, drone teams, or similar hands-on student engineering teams.
• Experience designing lightweight structures or flying systems (e.g., drones, UAVs).
• Familiarity with mechatronic systems and working alongside electronics teams.
• Exposure to composites, industrial manufacturing methods (CNC, injection molding, sheet metal), or simulation tools (FEM).
Your application
We are looking forward to receiving your application!
Please note that we are considering complete applications submitted to https://voliroar.bamboohr.com/careers. Please clearly state your residency/working status for Switzerland in your application. We are unable to support work permit applications for non-EU/EFTA nationals without an existing Swiss work permit unless the internship is a mandatory part of an ongoing Swiss university degree.
If you have any further questions, feel free to reach out to us via [email protected] CHF 2'500 per month