Swiss mechanical and MEM industry (ABB, Bühler, Bobst, Stadler) heavily recruits engineers. HES/EPFL/ETHZ training, solid salaries, demanding technical missions. Here is the guide.
The sector
MEM (machines, electrical, metallurgy): 320,000 jobs
Major players: ABB, Bühler, Bobst, Stadler, Schindler, Sika, Liebherr
Concentration: Bern, Solothurn, Zurich, Ticino
Growth: +2-3%/year, chronic demand
Training
HES Bachelor in mechanical engineering: 3 years, practical route
EPFL/ETHZ mechanical engineering master: 5 years, research/R&D route
Polymechanic CFC + diploma: alternative technical route
Key skills
CAD: SolidWorks, CATIA, Inventor, NX
Calculation: finite elements (ANSYS), MATLAB
Standards: ISO 9001, ISO 13485 (MedTech)
Lean / Six Sigma: highly valued
English + German: standard
Salaries
Junior HES: CHF 75-90K
Junior EPFL/ETHZ: CHF 85-100K
Mid (5-10 years): CHF 105-140K
Senior / lead: CHF 135-175K
Department head: CHF 160-220K
Technical director: CHF 200-300K
Tips to break through
Internships in Swiss industry during studies
CAD certifications: SolidWorks Professional
Languages: DE essential for German-speaking Switzerland
