About Swiss Blue Salmon

Swiss Blue Salmon is a young Swiss start-up company planning to build a land-based salmon farm (RAS) to sustainably raise Atlantic Salmon (Salmo salar) from egg to harvest size for the local market.
The farm will be designed to have a high energy efficiency to guarantee a low eco footprint.
The energy supply will be based on renewable energy sources. To help us reach this ambitious target we are now looking for an experienced CTO.

Job Description

First 2 years

In the first two years, you will be leading the company's project team and be involved with local and international planning and construction companies to set up the farm from planning to commissioning. Your main tasks include: 

• Feasibility, Concept and pre-engineering
• Develop and lead the team’s activity within the engineering- construction project
• Project organization and management
• Development of the project in close relation with CEO and CFO
• Contact with suppliers and local authorities
• Permission process

Start up and operation (3rd year +)

You will plan the future operation of the RAS, set up the team and lead the ramp-up of the farm. You will hold responsibility for developing and establishing best practice sharing and the ability to continuously improve across the company.

Once operational you will establish an annual production budget with a strong focus on ensuring delivery of key performance indicators and targets. You will be responsible to optimize operational costs (engineering, workflow, operations etc.) in close relation with the fish farming experts, processing and sales. 

The Successful Applicant

You are a highly motivated, self-propelled and an enthusiastic engineer with expertise in RAS system design and the production of Atlantic salmon in recirculation aquaculture systems (RAS), quick at adapting to new situations and like to take ownership and responsibility and you thrive on challenges, can work in interdisciplinary teams and are good at understanding complex challenges and communicating solutions:

• Relevant engineering and/or aquaculture qualifications (engineer/civil engineer/mechanical engineer or similar)
• The position requires technical and practical competence on project development/management concerning construction- or process engineering
• Background/understanding of Internet of Things (IOT) is advantageous but not mandatory
• Experience from smolt production might compensate for lack in other backgrounds
• Preferably some years of work experience in an engineering company and/or land-based aquaculture system (producer or supplier)
• Interest in data, numbers and figures to optimize a farm during planning and operation
• In depth understanding of day-to-day operational tasks in RAS
• Excellent communication skills in English/German are advantageous but not mandatory

What’s on Offer

The position will be placed in the top management team, work closely with our environmental engineer and report directly to the CEO.

• Dynamic and pragmatic team and work culture
• Opportunity to be involved in planning, building and managing a salmon RAS farm
• Work and live in beautiful Switzerland with access to world class educational systems and access to high-standard health care system
• Based close to Zurich Airport - Switzerland and will require travelling
• Competitive compensation package including participation in attractive employee stock option plan
• Pension contributions and social insurance.

Please submit applications and any inquiries directly to Rudolf Ryf ([email protected])

Application deadline is 13th February 2021.

All inquiries and applications will be treated in confidence.