Prototype Engineer to support university startups in Sønderborg
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Job Location:
Sønderborg - Denmark
Monthly Salary:
Not Disclosed
Posted on:
07-09-2025
Vacancies:
1 Vacancy
Job Summary
SDU RIO Snderborg
Are you passionate about helping early-stage startups and spinouts transform ideas into impactful prototypes and sustainable businesses Do you enjoy hands-on work in workshops and makerspaces while contributing to entrepreneurship in a university setting
SDU Research & Innovation Organisation (SDU RIO) offers an opening for a skilled and motivated Prototype Engineer to support startups at SDU Startup Station and STEAR Energy and Tech in position is initially offered as a temporary contract running until March 31 2027with potential for the right candidate to prolong.
About the Role
As a Prototype Engineer you will work closely with early-stage startups at various levels of maturity. Your role will be to bridge the gap between idea and implementation supporting teams through prototyping technical validation business development and practical workshop support.
Key Responsibilities
- Provide technical prototyping assistance to researchers and student entrepreneurs to help them bring concepts to life using rapid prototyping techniques (e.g. 3D printing laser cutting electronics etc.)
- Position yourself as a central player and contributor to the STEAR Energy & Tech Accelerator in Snderborg supporting and developing a number of new startups in their accelerator lab
- Support business development processes by working with startup teams to refine value propositions and test early-stage solutions together with the startup team in real-world conditions
- Assist in the daily operations of our makerspaces and workshops ensuring safety accessibility and functionality
- Collaborate with your fellow business developers researchers and startup teams to unlock the potential of high-impact ideas
- Contribute to workshops and incubation programmes including technology validation sessions startup sparring and prototyping courses
- Promote a culture of curiosity experimentation innovation and entrepreneurship among students and faculty
- Provide guidance in the use of tools and materials and facilitate knowledge-sharing across the local innovation ecosystem in Snderborg
Your Background
- A technical background in engineering product design or a related field
- Hands-on experience with prototyping tools and technologies (e.g. CAD additive manufacturing microcontrollers)
- Familiarity with entrepreneurship methodologies such as Lean Startup and Design Thinking
- Strong communication and collaboration skills you can work both independently and as part of a dynamic team
- Experience working in or with startups is a plus
- Proficiency in Danish and English is required
Who Are We
You will be part of SDU Startup Station SDUs innovation environment for student and research-based startups. Team C&S is part of SDU RIO a cross-disciplinary development unit that works to promote SDUs goal of creating value with and for society. SDU RIO is present in all campus cities and works closely with academic environments and external actors within research education and innovation.
Learn more about SDU RIO: Offer
- A vibrant innovative environment with a strong interdisciplinary team
- An opening to the entire Snderborg ecosystem including municipality large companies like Danfoss and LINAK and the University of Southern Denmark
- The opportunity to shape early-stage ideas into real products and companies
- Access to state-of-the-art workshops and tools on campus
- A role with impact working directly with the next generation of entrepreneurs
Terms of Employment
- Full-time position (37 hours/week) based in Snderborg
- Expected start date: 1 November 2025 or as soon as possible
- Traveling to other SDU campuses will occur occasionally
- Employment will be in accordance with the collective agreement between the Ministry of Finance and the Danish Confederation of Professional Associations for academics in the state.
Application
Please submit your application no later than Friday 3 October 2025 23:59 CET.
Application must include cover letter CV and certificate. All documents in connection with the application should not contain CPR number (civil registration number) in that case the CPR number must be crossed out.
All attached files must be in Adobe PDF format. Cover letter and CV can contain max. 5 Mb.
We recommend that you readhowto applybefore you apply.
For further information please contact:
Sren Land Head of Team Collaboration & SDU Startup Station /or Thomas Schmidt Head of Commercialisation /.
At the University of Southern Denmark we strive to reflect the diversity of the surrounding society and encourage all qualified applicants to apply regardless of personal background.
About SDU
The University of Southern Denmark was established to create value for and with society. Whether our contributions come in the form of excellent research innovative solutions education or learning we must make a positive difference to society and contribute to a sustainable future. We do this by cultivating talents and creating the best environments for research and learning. It is therefore crucial that SDU retains develops and recruits talent. At the same time we need to ensure consistently high quality in all our activities and we can only do that with the right people. The Universitys researchers lecturers students managers and technical/administrative staff are the foundation of our success.
Key Skills
- Ruby
- Mac Os
- Computer Networking
- Windows
- TCP
- Customer Support
- Linux
- Shell Scripting
- VPN
- Dns
- Technical Support
- Troubleshooting
About Company
The University of Southern Denmark was established to create value for and with society. Whether our contributions come in the form of excellent research, innovative solutions, education or learning, we must make a positive difference to society and contribute to a sustainable future. ... View more
