Richemont Mechanical and Prototyping Manager
- Location
- Seniority
- Manager
- Industry
- Fine Watches & Horology
- Posted
- Apr 16, 2026
About Richemont
Richemont is a Swiss-based luxury goods holding company that manages a portfolio of prestigious maisons across watches, jewellery and accessories. The group combines artisanal heritage with investment in technical innovation and in-house ateliers, supporting maisons with expertise in design, production and product development.
Richemont — Mechanical and Prototyping Manager in Buttes, Switzerland. Lead prototype development and mechanical workshops for high‑precision components.
Role & Responsibilities
- Lead the mechanical prototyping function, overseeing design-to-prototype development for precision components and assemblies.
- Manage a multi-disciplinary prototyping workshop including machining, additive manufacturing, finishing and metrology activities.
- Translate design intent into manufacturable prototypes by specifying tolerances, materials and processes in close collaboration with design and R&D teams.
- Develop and validate prototypes through iterative testing, failure analysis and fit/function verification.
- Define and implement prototyping workflows, tooling strategies and maintenance plans for workshop equipment.
- Coordinate external suppliers and specialist workshops for subcontracted processes while ensuring qualification and quality standards are met.
- Control prototyping budgets, plan resource allocation and prioritise projects to meet product development timelines.
- Coach, recruit and develop technical staff; instil best-practice manufacturing and quality disciplines within the team.
- Contribute to industrialisation activities by identifying design-for-manufacture improvements and scaling routes from prototype to series production.
Qualifications
- Degree in Mechanical Engineering, Micro-mechanics, Horology or equivalent technical qualification.
- Proven leadership experience managing small technical teams within precision engineering, watchmaking or high-precision prototyping environments.
- Deep knowledge of precision manufacturing processes, materials and finishing techniques applicable to watch or jewellery components.
- Practical experience with prototyping equipment (CNC, additive manufacturing, finishing, metrology) and workshop management.
- Strong ability to read and produce technical drawings with GD&T and to manage design-to-manufacture exchanges.
- Experience working with external suppliers and managing supplier qualification and performance.
Skills
Experience
Typically 5+ years in precision mechanical engineering or prototyping, with at least 2–3 years in a supervisory role; prior exposure to watchmaking or luxury goods product development is highly desirable.
Education
Bachelor's or Master’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Micro-mechanics, Horology, or equivalent technical diploma.
Workplace
This position is based in Buttes, Neuchâtel, Switzerland, within easy reach of Neuchâtel.
Culture
Richemont combines deep artisanal heritage with a commitment to technical excellence; teams operate in atelier-style environments where craftsmanship and innovation coexist. The group values cross-disciplinary collaboration between design, R&D and production, fostering a hands-on culture that supports skill development and meticulous attention to detail.
About Cerulean
Cerulean is the definitive career portal for the global luxury industry. We match exceptional professionals with exclusive opportunities at the world's most prestigious brands. From haute couture and fine watchmaking to prestige beauty, hospitality, and boutique retail, Cerulean centralises luxury employment to help you find the career for which you were destined.
Frequently Asked Questions
The luxury industry is characterised by a diverse and nuanced nomenclature. Esteemed houses frequently employ proprietary terminology, and even within a single organisation like Richemont, titles may vary across global markets to reflect local conventions. To ensure absolute clarity, Cerulean assigns a standardised, industry-coherent canonical title to every listing. However, it is worth noting that this role is functionally synonymous with «Head of Mechanical Prototyping», «Prototype Development Manager», «Mechanical Engineering Lead – Prototyping», «Manager, Prototype Workshop & Mechanical Design», and other variations. Our sophisticated search architecture anticipates these variations, ensuring that inquiries using related terms will seamlessly yield the exact roles you desire.