R&D Mechatronics Engineer – 3D Food Printing Hardware (Horizon Europe)

This opportunity is part of EU-funded Next-Gen 3D Food Printing project, a flagship national and transnational European project uniting regional R&D excellence in North Rhine-Westphalia with a cross-border ecosystem of leading academic, industrial, and living-lab partners across the EU. We are seeking an ambitious R&D Mechatronics Engineer to join our team in the Cologne area. Working under experienced technical mentorship within this international consortium, you will drive the mechanical engineering, sensor integration, and operational deployment of a fleet of 6 multi-nozzle 3D Food Printing prototypes across European Living Labs. This full-time role is ideal for an engineering M.Sc. graduate or early-stage researcher with hands-on experience in extrusion systems, robotics, or mechatronics.

Key Responsibilities:

• Design, build, and assemble multi-nozzle extruders with integrated dynamic pressure sensors and active thermal management.
• Calibrate, test, and dispatch 6 operational printer prototypes to European Living Kitchen Labs.
• Validate physical extrudability, yield stress, and layer stability of upcycled organic bio-inks on prototype hardware.
• Collaborate with research partners to ensure sanitation and HACCP compliance for commercial kitchen standards.

Requirements:

• Master’s degree (M.Sc.) in Mechatronics, Mechanical Engineering, Robotics, or Systems Engineering.
• Practical background (via Master's thesis or lab projects) in 3D printing systems (FDM/DIW), CNC, or motion control.
• Working knowledge of CAD/CAM, dynamic sensor integration, and microcontroller electronics.
• Fluency in English; German is a plus.

To apply, please send your CV and a cover letter (in English) to Mr. Konstantin Spakov, Managing Director, at [email protected] with the subject line: "R&D Mechatronics Engineer – 3D Printing Hardware".

Application Deadline: September 30, 2026.