Prototype Engineer To Support University Startups In Sønderborg

SDU RIO, Sønderborg

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 Sønderborg. The position is initially offered as a temporary contract running until March 31, 2027, with 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 Sønderborg, 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 Sønderborg

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

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Who Are We?

You will be part of SDU Startup Station, SDU's 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 SDU's 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: https://www.sdu.dk/en/om-sdu/ledelse-administration/sdurio

We Offer

• A vibrant innovative environment with a strong interdisciplinary team
• An opening to the entire Sønderborg 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 Sønderborg
• 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 read how to apply before you apply.

For further information, please contact:
Søren Land, Head of Team Collaboration & SDU Startup Station – soland@sdu.dk / +45 20 20 85 05 or Thomas Schmidt, Head of Commercialisation – thos@sdu.dk / +45 21 24 79 49.

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.