Mechatronics and Robotics Technician

Job description

At the Faculty of Industrial Design Engineering, we are looking for a proactive and technically versatile Technician (Onderwijs & Onderzoek medewerker) to support our research and education activities in the field of mechatronics and robotics.

In this role, you will guide and support researchers and students in integrating mechatronics into their prototypes. You will ensure the safe and effective use of lab equipment and tools, and act as a technical partner to help translate ambitious ideas into experimental setups and tangible outcomes. You will also help maintain a safe, organized, and well-equipped lab environment, while contributing to technical instruction, co-designing experiments, and troubleshooting challenges. This position is ideal for a hands-on “maker” who thrives in a multidisciplinary, collaborative setting and takes pride in supporting high-quality technical education and research. You will work within a vibrant ecosystem where mechatronics, smart and biomaterials, and digital manufacturing converge to support sustainable design engineering.

Responsibilities

In short, the technician will:

• Instruct and support researchers and students in the hardware-software integration of mechatronics, including sensors, actuators, and microcontrollers.
• Guide and support researchers and students in the safe operation and programming of robotic arms and mobile robots.
• Support research by co-designing experiment setups, providing technical oversight, and performing advanced troubleshooting on complex systems.
• Ensure a safe and well-organized lab environment by maintaining equipment, managing electronic component inventories, and monitoring safety procedures.

Job requirements

• You have a technical degree (minimum HBO) in mechatronics, electrical engineering, or a related field, with at least 2 years of relevant hands-on lab or prototyping experience.
• You have a coaching-oriented approach and enjoy guiding researchers and students in building and using lab equipment and tools safely and effectively.
• You have a solid grasp of hardware-software integration (e.g., Raspberry Pi, (circuit)Python, ROS, PCB design) and are eager to support practical applications.
• You are proactive, organized, and take pride in maintaining a safe, well-functioning lab environment.
• You enjoy working in a collaborative, multidisciplinary environment, including engineers, designers, and researchers from diverse backgrounds.
• You have strong communication skills and the patience to explain technical concepts to both experts and non-experts.
• You’re willing to obtain BHV and first aid (EHBO) certification if not already certified.

Conditions of employment

• Duration of contract is 1 year. Temporary with prospect of permanent.
• A salary based on Scale 08 of the CAO for Dutch Universities with a salary between €3382 - €4484 gross per month based on a fulltime contract (38 hours), plus 8% holiday allowance and an end-of-year bonus of 8.3%.
• An excellent pension scheme via the ABP.
• The possibility to compile an individual employment package every year.
• Discount with health insurers on supplemental packages.
• Flexible working week.
• Every year, 232 leave hours (at 38 hours). You can also sell or buy additional leave hours via the individual choice budget.
• Plenty of opportunities for education, training and courses.
• Partially paid parental leave.
• Attention for working healthy and energetically with the vitality program.

Faculty Industrial Design Engineering

This role sits within the Faculty of Industrial Design Engineering (IDE), where designers and engineers work at the intersection of technology and people to create products, services and systems with purpose. IDE is active in design research across mobility, sustainability and health, and in the development of design tools and methods.