R&D Intern — Industrialisation of Ultrashort‑Pulse Laser Processes
Richemont — R&D Internship (Industrialisation of Ultrashort‑Pulse Laser Processes) in Couvet, Switzerland. Hands‑on laser R&I role for photonics/physics students.
Overview
Richemont is a leading international luxury goods group with a portfolio of specialist maisons in jewellery, watchmaking and luxury accessories. The organisation combines traditional craftsmanship with advanced technical and manufacturing capabilities in Switzerland and globally, supporting innovation through dedicated R&D and industrial teams.
Role & Responsibilities
- Support research and scale‑up of ultrashort‑pulse (ultrafast) laser processing methods for micro‑machining, surface functionalisation and precision structuring.
- Design, plan and execute laboratory experiments; perform laser parameter optimisation and reproducibility studies.
- Set up, align and operate ultrafast laser systems and associated optical benches, safety interlocks and beam delivery subsystems.
- Characterise processed samples using optical and electron microscopy, profilometry, interferometry and other metrology techniques.
- Collect, analyse and visualise experimental data; prepare technical reports, standard operating procedures and process documentation to enable transfer to pilot or production lines.
- Collaborate with cross‑functional teams (manufacturing, quality, materials science) to assess manufacturability, cycle time and process robustness.
- Maintain strict adherence to laser safety standards and laboratory best practices.
Qualifications
- Enrolled in a Master’s programme or final‑year engineering/physics degree in Physics, Photonics, Optics, Materials Science, Mechanical Engineering or a closely related discipline.
- Practical laboratory experience with laser equipment and optical alignment; demonstrated ability to design and run experiments independently.
- Strong analytical skills and experience with data processing and visualization.
- Familiarity with materials characterisation techniques (optical microscopy, SEM, profilometry) and a methodical approach to documentation and SOP creation.
- Fluency in English; French language skills are an advantage (not explicitly required in source).
Skills
Experience
Hands‑on laboratory experience with lasers and optical systems, gained through academic projects, previous internships or research assistantships. Experience in experimental design, metrology and process characterisation is expected.
Education
Currently enrolled in a Master’s degree or equivalent engineering/technical programme in Physics, Photonics, Optics, Materials Science, Mechanical Engineering or a related field.
Culture
Richemont blends artisanal heritage with high‑precision engineering; teams are typically collaborative, technically rigorous and oriented toward quality and long‑term product excellence. R&D and industrialisation groups work closely with ateliers and manufacturing sites, providing interns with exposure to both scientific research and practical production constraints.