Robotic Systems Engineer

Does your heart beat faster when building new robots? Do you get excited when you can operate industrial robots and drones? And are you passionate about sharing your knowledge with students and new generations of researchers? Then we are looking for you at the Faculty of Science and Engineering.

Job description
The Department of Advanced Computing Systems at the Faculty of Science and Engineering of Maastricht University is looking for a new colleague to support our cutting-edge research in robotic systems. As a robotic systems engineer, you will be strengthening our team that is creating next generation artificial intelligence, software, and hardware for various robotic systems. This research spans areas such as smart industrial robots, autonomous drones, and wearable robotics. We apply this research to address various urgent societal needs. We are currently hiring for new developments which focus on agricultural applications. For this purpose, we are setting up new facilities at Brightlands Campus Greenport Venlo to run complementary to our new R&D greenhouse.

You will also contribute to our top-rated education. This includes two bachelor’s programmes and two master’s programmes in the fields of AI and Data Science.  You will be sharing our passion in designing and building robotic systems with our highly motivated students and helping them to become professional researchers and developers.
 
What are you going to do?
As a Robotics Systems Engineer you will support various research projects by designing, developing, implementing, modifying and operating professional robotic systems. You will also be involved in setting up and maintaining our new robotics laboratory facilities in Venlo.

In your role, you will become part of our team that focusses on enabling next generation AI-powered robotics systems. This team operates at the Brightlands Campus Greenport Venlo and in Maastricht. 

You will also support our teaching activities: During practical assignments you will help teach students to design, manufacture, and program robotic systems. You will also set up and maintain state-of-the-art robotic systems such as drones and industrial robots for education.

 
Who are you?
We seek an experienced colleague who is passionate about robotic systems and who enjoys sharing their knowledge in our educational programmes. You feel at home in a strongly international, diverse, and cooperative community like ours. We are looking to welcome a colleague who fosters collaboration.
 
Our ideal candidate has:

• A degree in Robotics Engineering, Mechatronics or a strongly related field, preferably at university of applied sciences (hbo) level;
• Proven experience in designing, developing and implementing professional robotic systems;
• Proven experience in operating professional robots;
• Keen mind and interest in staying up-to-day with latest technological developments;
• Excellent command of English; command of Dutch language is a plus;
• Willingness to travel regularly between the various Brightlands Campuses in Limburg (Venlo, Maastricht, Sittard-Geleen and Heerlen);
• License to operate drones is a plus.
   

What we offer
As Robotic Systems Engineer at Faculty of Science & Engineering, you will be employed by the most international university in the Netherlands, located in the beautiful city of Maastricht. In addition, we offer you:

• Good employment conditions. The position is graded in scale 9-10, with corresponding salary based on experience ranging from €3.378 and ​​​​​​​€5.331 gross per month (based on a full-time employment of 38 hours per week). In addition to the monthly salary, an 8.0% holiday allowance and an 8.3% year-end bonus apply.
•  An employment contract for a period of 12 months with a scope of 1,0 FTE. Upon proven suitability, the employment contract will be converted to an indefinite contract. 
• At Maastricht University, the well-being of our employees is of utmost importance, we offer flexible working hours and the possibility to work partly from home if the nature of your position allows it. You will receive a monthly commuting and internet allowance for this. If you work full-time, you will be entitled to 29 vacation days and 4 additional public holidays per year, namely carnival Monday, carnival Tuesday, Good Friday, and Liberation Day. If you choose to accumulate compensation hours, an additional 12 days will be added. Furthermore, you can personalize your employment conditions through a collective labor agreement (CAO) choice model. 
• As Maastricht University, we offer various other excellent secondary employment conditions. These include a good pension scheme with the ABP and the opportunity for UM employees to participate in company fitness and make use of the extensive sports facilities that we also offer to our students. 
• Last but certainly not least, we provide the space and facilities for your personal and professional development. We facilitate this by offering a wide range of training programs and supporting various well-established initiatives such as 'acknowledge and appreciate'. 

The terms of employment at Maastricht University are largely set out in the collective labor agreement of Dutch Universities. In addition, local provisions specific to UM apply. For more information, click here.

Maastricht University
Why work at Maastricht University?

At Maastricht University (UM), everything revolves around the future. The future of our students, as we work to equip them with a solid, broad-based foundation for the rest of their lives. And the future of society, as we seek solutions through our research to issues from all around the world. Our six faculties combined provide a comprehensive package of study programmes and research.

In our teaching, we use the Problem-Based Learning (PBL) method. Students work in small groups, looking for solutions to problems themselves. By discussing issues and working together to draw conclusions, formulate answers and present them to their peers, students develop essential skills for their future careers.

With over 22,300 students and more than 5,000 employees from all over the world, UM is home to a vibrant and inspiring international community.

Are you drawn to an international setting focused on education, science and scholarship? Are you keen to contribute however your skills and qualities allow? Our door is open to you! As a young European university, we value your talent and look forward to creating the future together.

Click here for more information about UM. 

Faculty of Science and Engineering  
At the Faculty of Science and Engineering (FSE), we focus on themes such as circularity and sustainability, future farming, digitisation and (scientific) instrument development.  FSE's leading projects, like the Einstein Telescope Pathfinder, are sure to grab anyone's attention.  The faculty is a vibrant hub of education and research in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) and Liberal Arts and Sciences (LAS).  At FSE, over 450 staff members and 3700 students gather to explore e exciting interdisciplinary research and educational programmes. Feel welcome, be part of our team and put your brilliant mind to work!  
 

FSE at the Brightlands Campuses  
Maastricht, Sittard-Geleen, Heerlen, and Venlo, the home of four creative Brightlands campuses, are bustling with 30,000 entrepreneurs, researchers, and students working diligently to solve global challenges. The Faculty of Science and Engineering is active on all four Brightlands campuses, and this is where our impact reaches its peak. To give you an idea of what is happening at each campus: Sittard-Geleen is home to the largest chemical site in the Euregion, while Venlo is a large hub for agri-food innovation. Maastricht is the site of the Health Campus, and Heerlen is the place to be for Smart Services.  
 

Department of Advanced Computing Sciences
The Department of Advanced Computing Sciences is Maastricht University’s largest and oldest department broadly covering the fields of artificial intelligence, data science, computer science, mathematics and robotics.   Over 100 researchers work and study in the Department of Advanced Computing Sciences, whose roots trace back to 1987. The department’s staff teaches approximately 1250 bachelor’s and master’s students in 4 specialized study programmes in Data Science and Artificial Intelligence. Click here for more information.

Curious?
Are you interested in this exciting position but still have questions? Feel free to contact Dr. Rico Möckel 
via rico.mockel@maastrichtuniversity.nl for more information. 

Applying?
Or are you already convinced and ready to become our new Robotic Systems Engineer? Apply now, no later than 9 June, for this position.
 

Please upload the following documents:

• cover letter (1 page max), which includes a motivation of your interest in the vacancy and an explanation of why you would fit well in this position;
• a detailed curriculum vitae highlighting your experience with robotic systems and components. If possible, provide links to github account, blogs, websites that demonstrate your experience.

The vacancy is open for internal and external candidates. In case of equal qualifications, internal candidates will be prioritized.

Maastricht University is committed to promoting and nurturing a diverse and inclusive community. We believe that diversity in our staff and student population contributes to the quality of research and education at UM, and strive to enable this through inclusive policies and innovative projects led by teams of staff and students. We encourage you to apply for this position.