Rolex Tribology Intern

Employment
Internship
Seniority
Intern
Posted
May 16, 2026

About Rolex

Rolex is an independent Swiss watchmaker renowned for precision engineering, in‑house manufacture and enduring craftsmanship. The maison combines traditional artisanal skills with rigorous technical research, maintaining vertically integrated production and a strong focus on product reliability and innovation.

Rolex — Tribology Intern in Geneva, Switzerland. Internship supporting wear testing, surface analysis and tribological R&D.

Role & Responsibilities

  • Support the tribology and materials engineering team in the design and execution of wear, friction and lubrication experiments.
  • Prepare and metallographically polish samples, assemble test specimens and operate tribometers (e.g., pin‑on‑disk setups).
  • Collect, process and analyse experimental data using statistical and computational methods; produce clear charts and technical summaries.
  • Characterise worn surfaces using optical microscopy, profilometry and collaborate on SEM/EDS analyses where required.
  • Maintain laboratory equipment, ensure compliance with safety and quality protocols, and keep accurate laboratory notebooks and test reports.
  • Contribute to technical documentation and present findings to cross‑functional teams including R&D and manufacturing engineering.

Qualifications

  • Currently enrolled in or recently completed a Bachelor's or Master's programme in materials science, mechanical engineering, physics, chemistry or a closely related discipline.
  • Foundational knowledge of tribology, lubrication science, surface engineering and wear mechanisms.
  • Practical laboratory experience with sample preparation and mechanical testing; familiarity with microscopy and surface characterisation techniques.
  • Strong data‑analysis capability and competence with Excel; experience with MATLAB or Python is advantageous.
  • Rigorous attention to detail, methodical documentation habits and the ability to work collaboratively within multidisciplinary teams.

Skills

Tribometer operation (pin‑on‑disk or equivalent) Optical microscopy Profilometry Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) — familiarity preferred Metallography and sample preparation Wear testing methodologies Lubrication analysis Data analysis (Excel, MATLAB, Python)

Experience

Practical laboratory experience through academic projects, laboratory coursework or prior internships, with direct exposure to materials characterisation or mechanical/tribological testing preferred.

Education

Bachelor's or Master's degree in materials science, mechanical engineering, physics, chemistry or equivalent (student or recent graduate status expected).

Workplace

This position is based in Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland.

Culture

Rolex fosters a culture of technical excellence, meticulous craftsmanship and discretion. The workplace balances long‑standing horological traditions with methodical research and continuous improvement, offering exposure to integrated manufacturing and high‑precision engineering teams.

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

A.

The luxury industry is characterised by a diverse and nuanced nomenclature. Esteemed houses frequently employ proprietary terminology, and even within a single organisation like Rolex, 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 «Tribology Laboratory Intern», «Materials Science Intern — Tribology», «R&D Intern, Tribology», «Wear-Testing Intern», and other variations. Our sophisticated search architecture anticipates these variations, ensuring that inquiries using related terms will seamlessly yield the exact roles you desire.

Rolex

Rolex Tribology Intern

Geneva, Switzerland

Continue to the application.