Field / Site Reliability Engineering Intern

mimic robotics is an early stage deep tech robotics & AI start-up based in Zurich and supported by leading VCs. We give industry workers a helping hand for tedious manual labor tasks and mitigate labor shortages with a versatile automation platform. Our automation solutions, driven by dexterous robotic hands and cutting edge AI trained on human observations, bring a new level of AI embodiment to the real world.

As a Field / Site Reliability Engineering intern, you will help keep mimic’s in-house and deployed robots running reliably and iteratively improve their performance through contributing to our software stack. In this role, Site Reliability Engineering means taking an automation-first approach to operating robots: systematically eliminating repetitive manual work, automating diagnostics and recovery, and building software that makes our robotic systems easier to deploy, monitor, and maintain.

You will work hands-on across hardware, electrical, mechanical, and software domains to build, configure, commission, and debug complete robotic systems. You will investigate failures, help identify root causes, and work closely with Engineering, AI, and Development to improve system reliability and deployment processes.

Requirements

• Enrolled Bachelor’s or Master’s student in Robotics, Mechatronics, Electrical/Mechanical Engineering, Computer Science, Automation Engineering, or a related field
• Hands-on experience building, integrating, or troubleshooting robotic, electromechanical, or automation systems
• Proficiency in several of the following: Linux, Python/C++, electrical systems, electronics, PLCs, industrial automation, sensors, actuators, motor drives, robotics, or networking
• Comfortable with electrical schematics, wiring, cabling, mechanical assemblies, and hand tools
• Strong systematic troubleshooting and problem-solving skills
• High attention to detail and a strong sense of ownership
• Capable of working independently and collaborating across engineering disciplines
• Excellent communication skills in English (German is a strong plus)
• Willingness to travel for customer deployments
• Bonus: Valid Category B driving license

Nice to Have

• Experience with industrial robotics, automation, or commissioning
• Familiarity with ROS2
• Experience with PLCs or industrial communication protocols such as EtherCAT, PROFINET, EtherNet/IP, CANopen, or Modbus
• Experience with control cabinets, low-voltage electrical systems, or industrial safety
• Familiarity with CAD
• Hands-on projects such as robotics projects, thesis work, or other extracurricular engineering

What Excites You

• Getting complex robotic systems to work reliably
• Hands-on problem solving across hardware, electronics, mechanics, and software
• Debugging problems where the answer isn't obvious
• Robotics, automation, and real-world AI
• Working with systems that combine many different engineering disciplines
• Being close to the hardware and seeing your work directly impact robot performance
• Deploying technology into the real world and making it reliable

What Excites Us

• Extracurricular projects: Show us what, why and how you built it!
• Ownership: You care about whether the robot is actually running, not just whether your part of the system is finished.
• Hands-on engineering: You enjoy working with real hardware, tools, wires, robots, and imperfect prototypes.