Software Engineering Intern (Robotics)

LAYERED GmbH seeks a Software Engineering Intern in Zürich to develop Python-based software for mobile construction robots, supporting the transition from pilot projects to a larger operational fleet.

This internship places you within the software engineering team at a robotics startup that constructs mobile robots capable of plastering and finishing surfaces directly on construction sites. The primary objective of this role is to help build the software infrastructure necessary to scale operations from early-stage pilots into a growing fleet of autonomous systems.

Responsibilities

• Develop and enhance the Python software platform by structuring functionality into reliable, reusable modules.
• Define clear interfaces between software components and participate in architectural and technical design discussions.
• Create characterization, unit, and integration tests to identify, reproduce, and resolve software defects.
• Enhance code quality, readability, maintainability, and documentation standards.
• Implement software solutions that process 3D environments, surfaces, geometries, and trajectories.
• Build operator-facing tools for task preparation, visualization, and robot control.
• Validate software performance on full-scale robotic systems in the workshop and during construction-site deployments.
• Collaborate with engineers across robotics, perception, planning, control, and machine learning disciplines.

Requirements

• Currently pursuing or recently completed a BSc or MSc in Computer Science, Software Engineering, or a related computing field.
• Strong programming proficiency in Python.
• Solid understanding of software architecture, object-oriented programming, and modular design principles.
• Experience working within an existing or evolving codebase.
• Familiarity with software testing, debugging, and version control practices.
• Ability to write clear, maintainable, well-documented code and reason about complex systems.
• Capacity to work independently while collaborating closely with a multidisciplinary team.
• Fluency in English.

Nice to have

• Experience refactoring or restructuring an existing Python codebase.
• Knowledge of designing APIs or interfaces between software components, including event-driven architecture.
• Familiarity with serialization, data models, or schema management.
• Experience developing graphical or operator-facing applications using Qt, PySide, or similar frameworks.
• Understanding of 3D geometry, point clouds, or spatial data using tools like Open3D or PCL.
• Knowledge of C++ and familiarity with ROS or ROS 2.
• Interest in robotics, motion planning, computer vision, or machine learning.
• Experience deploying software on robots, machines, or other physical systems.

About the company

LAYERED GmbH originated from ETH Zurich’s Gramazio Kohler Research and has established a full-scale mock-up construction site within its laboratory. The company currently serves clients in Switzerland and France, with pilot projects expanding across the rest of Europe.

• The company spun out of ETH Zurich’s Gramazio Kohler Research.
• The company has developed a full-scale mock-up construction site in their lab.
• The company has clients in Switzerland and France and pilots growing across the rest of Europe.