R&D Physicist

At Destinus, advancing solid rocket motor and pyrotechnic technology means measuring what others can’t — velocities, pressures, and dynamic phenomena that unfold in microseconds. As we scale our R&D and qualification capabilities, we’re building up our experimental diagnostics capability in-house. We’re looking for an Experimental Physics Engineer who can design, build, and operate the test rigs that turn raw physical phenomena into trustworthy engineering data.

You’ll own experimental setups from concept through commissioning to routine operation — selecting and integrating lasers, optics, sensors, electronics, and data acquisition systems to characterize physical behavior relevant to our propulsion and pyrotechnic components. You’ll work closely with our propulsion, pyrotechnics, structures, and test teams to translate engineering questions into the right experimental approach.

What You’ll Do

• Design, build, commission, and research and development rigs to characterize physical phenomena (e.g. velocity, pressure, shock, temperature, optical behavior)

• Select, integrate, and align optical and laser-based measurement systems together with the associated detection electronics

• Develop and integrate sensor, signal conditioning, and high-speed data acquisition chains

• Build and debug custom electronics or interface boards as required by specific experiments

• Define test plans, calibration procedures, and data analysis methods for each measurement campaign

• Operate R&D setups during test campaigns, including diagnostics, troubleshooting, and on-the-fly adjustments

• Analyse experimental data and correlate results with physical models or engineering predictions

• Document experiments, procedures, and results with the rigor needed for design decisions and qualification work

• Collaborate with propulsion, pyrotechnics, structures, and test teams to translate engineering questions into the right experimental approach

Master’s degree in Physics, Engineering Physics, Electrical Engineering, or a related discipline

• 2+ years of hands-on experience in an experimental physics, R&D, or diagnostics environment (industry, applied research lab, or equivalent)

• Practical experience with optical and laser-based measurement techniques (e.g. interferometry, velocimetry, spectroscopy, or similar)

• Solid understanding of analog and digital electronics; comfortable wiring, debugging, and instrumenting test setups

• Experience with high-speed data acquisition, oscilloscopes, signal conditioning, and detector electronics

• Proficiency in data analysis with Python, or equivalent

• Experience with PCB & Electronics design is a plus

• Hands-on, problem-solving mindset, the kind of person who builds the rig rather than waiting for one

• Structured approach to test planning, calibration, and uncertainty quantification

• Good documentation discipline and ability to work safely in a lab and test environment

• Strong communication skills and comfort working in a cross-functional, fast-moving team

• Willingness to travel to different Destinus sites in Switzerland (max. 20%)

• Fluency in English required; German or French is a plus