About the project

• Wageningen Robotics is developing an AI-driven robotic system for autonomous mushroom harvesting as part of the MIT-AI SAMEN – Slimme Automatisering & MEchatronica voor champignoNoogst project, in collaboration with Rapagra B.V.

  The system will:

  • detect and localise mushrooms using computer vision and depth perception;

  • select suitable harvesting targets and approach poses;

  • approach mushrooms autonomously with a robotic manipulator;

  • gently grasp and detach them using a sensor-integrated pneumatic soft gripper; and

  • validate performance through systematic harvesting experiments.

  The project combines soft robotics, pneumatic actuation, AI, computer vision, sensing, control and autonomous manipulation.

  Your role

  We are looking for a hands-on Robotics & Mechatronics Engineer who enjoys building, testing and improving robotic systems.

  You will work closely with the founder of Wageningen Robotics and the AI and robotics team at Rapagra. Your role will span mechanical design, soft robotics, electronics, sensor integration, control, ROS-based system integration, software development and experimental validation.

  You may design and fabricate a soft actuator, design an electronics interface, connect sensors and actuators to the robotic system, integrate hardware with ROS, read sensor data, command and control actuators, tune pneumatic control, work on robot programming and control using ROS, computer vision and machine learning.

  What you will work on

  Your responsibilities will include:

  • Designing and developing pneumatic soft robotic actuators and grippers.

  • Fabricating soft components using 3D printing, mould design and silicone/elastomer casting.

  • Developing pneumatic actuation and control systems.

  • Designing and implementing electronics interfaces for sensors, actuators, valves and other mechatronic components.

  • Selecting, connecting and integrating electronics, sensors, actuators, data-acquisition hardware and embedded controllers.

  • Reading and processing sensor signals, including pressure, force and contact-related measurements.

  • Commanding and controlling actuators, valves and other system components through appropriate electronics and software interfaces.

  • Integrating pressure, force and contact-related sensing.

  • Integrating the gripper with the robotic manipulator.

  • Integrating cameras and depth sensors for robotic perception.

  • Connecting computer vision and AI perception with robot coordinates and manipulation.

  • Connecting the complete mechatronic system with ROS/ROS2, including hardware interfaces, sensor data streams, actuator commands and system-level communication.

  • Developing ROS nodes, drivers and interfaces for reading sensors and commanding and controlling actuators.

  • Performing robot-camera calibration and coordinate transformations.

  • Developing and debugging control and integration software using Python and/or ROS/ROS2.

  • Designing experiments and evaluating harvesting success, cycle time, grasp reliability, crop damage and failure modes.

  • Troubleshooting mechanical, pneumatic, electrical, sensing and software issues.

  • Maintaining CAD files, electronics documentation, code, experimental data and technical documentation.

  Who we are looking for

  You may have a background in Robotics, Mechatronics, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Control Engineering or a related field.

  You do not need to be an expert in every area. We value practical engineering ability, curiosity and independent learning.

  Relevant experience may include:

  • Robotics and mechatronic system development

  • Soft robotics or compliant mechanisms

  • Pneumatic actuation and control

  • Electronics and electrical system design

  • Designing interfaces between sensors, actuators, embedded controllers and computers

  • Reading sensor signals and commanding actuators

  • Embedded systems, data acquisition and hardware communication protocols

  • Pressure, force or tactile sensing

  • Robot control and motion planning

  • Python and ROS/ROS2

  • ROS hardware interfaces, drivers and system integration

  • Computer vision and robotic perception

  • RGB-D/depth cameras and calibration

  • CAD and mechanical design

  • 3D printing and silicone/elastomer casting

  • Experimental robotics and systematic testing

  Experience with agricultural robotics is useful but not required.

  Practical requirements

  You should:

  • be able to work approximately 0.6 FTE;

  • be able to work physically in or around Wageningen, the Netherlands;

  • have the legal right to live and work in the Netherlands;

  • be comfortable working in a small, entrepreneurial R&D environment; and

  • communicate effectively in English.

  What we offer

  • 0.6 FTE employment, initially for one year, with the intention to extend for a second year subject to project progress, performance and continued funding.

  • An initial onboarding and ramp-up period to become familiar with the existing robotic platform and development environment.

  • Significant technical ownership and the opportunity to see your designs move rapidly from CAD and prototypes to experiments on a real robotic system.

  • Hands-on experience across soft robotics, AI, computer vision, sensing, electronics, mechatronics and autonomous manipulation.

  • The opportunity to work on a funded R&D programme aimed at translating advanced robotics into a real agricultural application.

  • Close collaboration with Rapagra B.V. on AI, computer vision and robotic perception.

  • The opportunity to experience deep-tech entrepreneurship from the inside — learning how technology development, intellectual property, funding, customer validation and commercialisation come together when building a technology company.

  • A workplace connected to the Wageningen Campus and Foodvalley innovation ecosystem, where startups, researchers, entrepreneurs and international R&D organisations are working on some of the world's most ambitious challenges in food and agriculture.

  • Opportunities to meet and connect with other pioneering agri-food and deep-tech startups, researchers and entrepreneurs through the Wageningen innovation community, creating possibilities for knowledge exchange, collaborations and your own professional network.

  • Access to the wider Wageningen Campus environment, including events, networking activities, research and innovation communities and sports facilities.

  • Where applicable, access to reduced-fee sports and fitness arrangements, including facilities associated with Wageningen's campus sports ecosystem.

  • Most importantly, the opportunity to join a young technology company early enough that your engineering decisions can genuinely shape both the robotic platform and the future direction of the company.

  About Wageningen Robotics

  Wageningen Robotics develops adaptive and soft robotic technologies for uncertain, delicate and variable environments.

  If you enjoy building robots and are excited by the combination of soft robotics, AI, agriculture and entrepreneurship, we would like to hear from you.

  How To apply?

  Application could be done either through LinkedIn or just sending your CV and motivation letter to info@wagrobotics.com