Research Engineer (m/f/d)

h3Research Engineer, Manipulation Data Teleoperation — Zurich /h3pThis role owns the data generation layer of Sereact's VLA stack: teleoperation systems and data collection infrastructure that feed Cortex, built from our Zurich research hub. /ph3About Sereact /h3pSereact is a Series B embodied-AI company. Cortex, our VLA model, is deployed in live warehouse robotic cells across the EU and US. Zurich is our newest research hub, focused on the manipulation and control problems that sit underneath Cortex. /ph3The role /h3pThis is a Research Engineer position. It is scoped to the data generation layer of the VLA stack: teleoperation hardware and software, retargeting pipelines that map human demonstrations onto robot hands, and the data collection infrastructure that feeds Cortex. It requires building the systems that produce the data those models train on, and working closely with the training team on what that data needs to look like. /ph3What you'll do /h3ullipBuild and operate teleoperation systems for dexterous manipulation, including retargeting algorithms that map human hand and arm motion onto robot end-effectors /p /lilipDesign and maintain scalable, UMI-style data collection hardware and software that other engineers at Sereact rely on /p /lilipBenchmark control and retargeting approaches using rigorous, human-factors-informed methodology /p /lilipInstrument and support the physical robots deployed in the Zurich hub, including day-to-day work on the control stack /p /lilipWork with the model-training team to define what data they need and close the loop on data quality /p /lilipBuild tooling or infrastructure outside your immediate brief when it unblocks the wider team /p /li /ulh3What you'll bring /h3ullipMSc (or equivalent, in progress) in robotics, mechanical engineering, or a closely related field, with a thesis or capstone project on manipulation, teleoperation, or retargeting /p /lilipHands-on experience building a data collection device or system for robot learning (UMI or a comparable system), not just operating one someone else built /p /lilipWorking knowledge of retargeting algorithms for mapping human input onto robot hands or end-effectors /p /lilip1 to 2 years of combined research, internship, or industry experience in robotics, mechatronics, or a related engineering discipline /p /lilipSoftware and systems engineering skills strong enough to build and maintain infrastructure other engineers rely on, not only research-grade prototypes /p /lilipComfortable working as an individual contributor in a small, still-forming team /p /li /ulh3Nice to have /h3ullipA conference submission on manipulation, teleoperation, or retargeting where the candidate is an author (an MSc thesis submitted to a venue like CoRL counts; supervising a student team whose own work was later published does not) /p /lilipTeaching or TA experience in a robotics course /p /lilipSome exposure to large-model training, even without an independent training record /p /lilipA concrete example of building something outside the formal role brief because the team needed it /p /li /ulh3bLocation: /b /h3pbZurich Area, Switzerland: /b /pullipThis role is based in our Zurich office, offering a vibrant ecosystem for robotics and AI. /p /li /ulh3bWhat We Offer: /b /h3ullipFree meals at the workplace. /p /lilipFlexible working hours and the option to work from home when needed. /p /lilipDirect collaboration with founders and world-leading AI experts. /p /lilipAccess to large-scale compute clusters and proprietary robotic datasets. /p /lilipA key role in shaping the future of embodied AI. /p /lilipCompetitive compensation and a relocation package for the Zurich area /p /li /ul #J-18808-Ljbffr