R&D Engineer-Movement R&D

Job Requirements

Skill Matrix

• Movement part / module detailing
• Creates manufacturable designs with stable performance under guidance, covering wheel/pinion geometry, levers, springs, bridges and plates.
• Tolerance stack thinking
• Understands tolerance stack-ups and defines key control points with support, especially for micron-level clearances and functional interfaces.
• CAD & drawing discipline
• Builds clean CAD models with correct callouts, revision control, GD&T, finishes and standard drawing templates.
• Tools familiarity
• Works with horology and engineering design tools such as TELL Watch, SolidWorks, Inventor or equivalent CAD platforms.
• Simulation awareness
• Uses motion / kinematic checks, energy-flow understanding and FEA support as required for movement validation and design refinement.
• Horology standards awareness
• Has working familiarity with key watch industry standards such as ISO 3159 for chronometer performance, ISO 764 for magnetic resistance, ISO 1413 for shock resistance and ISO 22810 for water resistance.
• NIHS standards familiarity
• Understands Swiss watch industry norms related to movement parts, case sealing, durability and horological quality expectations.
• Certification familiarity
• Has awareness of COSC chronometer testing requirements and Geneva Seal benchmarks for finishing, movement quality and craftsmanship.
• Bench and testing awareness
• Understands the use of microscope / loupe inspection and timing-machine observations for movement checking, adjustment and debugging.
• Prototype debug execution
• Supports structured root-cause analysis, verification and issue closure through proto-observations, issue logs and functional validation.
• Documentation discipline
• Maintains design history, change records, BOMs, controlled drawing templates, issue logs, asset libraries and design rationale.
• Collaboration
• Explains design intent clearly to design, prototyping, build, QC, suppliers and external SMEs, and integrates feedback from design reviews and supplier discussions.
• Craftsmanship and precision mindset
• Demonstrates high attention to detail, ensuring micron-level tolerances, finishing standards and assembly realities are respected.
• Analytical depth
• Diagnoses movement architecture, chronometry and functional issues with structured reasoning and technical precision.
• Hands-on problem-solving
• Applies practical problem-solving during prototyping, assembly feedback, testing and movement refinement.
• Innovation mindset
• Contributes to originality in movement architecture, complication design and reusable horology asset creation.
• Decision-making
• Balances trade-offs across performance, manufacturability, reliability, aesthetics, cost and serviceability.
• Accountability
• Takes ownership for design quality, architecture maturity, release readiness and engineering documentation accuracy.
• Learning agility
• Quickly absorbs horology-specific practices, including movement construction principles, assembly realities, senior horology guidance and inputs from external SMEs.

Work Experience

Experience

• 0~3 years of experience in mechanical design, precision mechanism design, movement design or micro-engineering.
• Strong CAD modelling and 2D drawing capability is mandatory.
• Exposure to movement parts, complication development or watchmaking is preferred, not mandatory.
• Experience with micro-manufacturing, prototyping labs, inspection or precision assembly will be an advantage.
• Interest in Swiss / Japanese haute horology and willingness to build deep horological expertise is expected.