Movement Designer (Watch Movements)
Richemont seeks a Movement Designer in Buttes, Switzerland — responsible for designing and drafting mechanical watch movements.
Overview
Richemont is a Swiss luxury goods group that oversees a portfolio of prestigious maisons across jewellery, watchmaking and accessories. The group is known for combining artisanal craftsmanship with technical innovation and operates an international network of ateliers and creative studios.
Role & Responsibilities
- Produce detailed 2D technical drawings and 3D CAD models of mechanical watch movements and components.
- Develop and refine movement architecture, ensuring functionality, reliability and manufacturability.
- Define tolerances, surface treatments and material specifications; produce assembly and sub‑assembly instructions.
- Collaborate with engineers, prototypists, suppliers and watchmakers throughout design, prototyping and testing phases.
- Run tolerance analysis and contribute to design reviews, failure mode analysis and corrective actions.
- Prepare and maintain technical documentation and bill of materials within the PLM system.
- Optimize designs for serial production while preserving haute‑horlogerie quality and finishing standards.
- Support transfer to manufacture and provide technical support to production and after‑sales teams as required.
Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree or higher in Mechanical Engineering, Micro‑mechanics, Horology or equivalent vocational diploma (WOSTEP or equivalent preferred).
- Proven track record in designing mechanical watch movements or precision micro‑mechanisms.
- Strong understanding of mechanical tolerancing, materials and surface finishing used in watchmaking.
- Practical knowledge of watch movement assembly, escapements and regulating systems.
- Fluency in technical drawing standards and ability to translate horological constraints into producible designs.
Skills
Experience
Minimum 3 years of professional experience in watch movement design, micro‑mechanical design or a closely related discipline, with demonstrable involvement in movement architecture, prototyping and transfer to manufacture.
Education
Bachelor’s degree or higher in Mechanical Engineering, Micro‑mechanics, Horology or equivalent; WOSTEP or equivalent horology diploma preferred.
Culture
Richemont cultivates a culture that values artisanal excellence and technical mastery, marrying traditional watchmaking savoir‑faire with modern engineering processes. Teams operate in multidisciplinary, collaborative environments where precision, discretion and long‑term craftsmanship are prioritized.