Salary by experience
View as table
| Experience | Salary (CHF) |
|---|---|
| 0-2 yrs | CHF 70'320 |
| 3-5 yrs | CHF 70'320 |
| 6-8 yrs | CHF 105'588 |
| 12-21 yrs | CHF 72'000 |
| 21+ yrs | CHF 141'000 |
Top HR
Swiss professionsElectrical Engineering
Leiter/in Forschung
You lead research departments and drive innovative projects forward
01 · Overview
What this profession is about
You plan and manage research projects. You oversee budgets and coordinate interdisciplinary teams to develop new solutions
As Leiter/in Forschung, you steer the entire innovation process. From the first idea to a market-ready solution, you plan projects, monitor budgets, and document technical requirements. You also foster collaboration between internal departments and external partners. Your goal is to turn scientific findings into practical applications. You will develop your team professionally and personally.
FieldElectrical Engineering
Education pathHigher Education Profession
IndustryElectrical Engineering
Swissdoc 0.550.1.0
02 · Salary
What you can earn
⚠ Estimated — based on a related role
Salaries reflect Swiss market data. Range covers entry to senior. Salary reference based on Mineur. Based on 14 observations, updated 7 months ago.
Salary trend
+43% over decadeView as table
| Period | Salary (CHF) |
|---|---|
| 2017-2019 | CHF 72'000 |
| 2020-2022 | CHF 63'000 |
| 2023-2025 | CHF 102'794 |
Top paying industries
View as table
| Industry | Salary | Obs. |
|---|---|---|
| Building trade / Real estate | CHF 87'500 | 10 |
03 · Pathway
How to enter and grow
Swiss training pathway available in the full profile
- 🎓 Leiterinnen und Leiter Forschung
Official education path
You usually enter this role with a completed Bachelor or Master degree in engineering or natural sciences.
Typical training path
Leiterinnen und Leiter Forschung
Prerequisites
- Bachelor Fachhochschule FH
- Master Fachhochschule FH
- Master Universitäre Hochschule
- Engineering degree from a university
Requirements
- Strong communication skills (including English)
- Analytical, innovative, and networked thinking
- Enjoyment of interdisciplinary collaboration
- Systematic problem-solving skills
- Leadership strength
Where this can lead
Career changers often bring experience from product development or project management. Internal promotions from specialist departments are also possible.
04 · Skills & fit
What it takes
Required skills
- Communicative strength
- Analytical thinking
- Leadership qualities
- Enthusiasm for innovation
Personality fit
- Swiss career path
- Career transition
- Professional growth
05 · Daily reality
What the work feels like
Typical day
You start the morning in a team meeting to discuss prototype development. After that, you review project documentation and coordinate next steps with the production department.
- You lead the research department and coordinate daily workflows.
- You plan new research projects and set their milestones.
- You monitor budgets and manage financial resources.
- You create technical and regulatory documents for approvals.
- You ensure collaboration with internal specialist departments and external partners.
- You evaluate project results and initiate improvements.
Working conditions
You work in research departments of industrial companies, laboratories, or development centers. You often move between meeting rooms, labs, and external partners.
Strengths
- Communicative strength
- Analytical thinking
- Leadership qualities
- Enthusiasm for innovation
Trade-offs
- High responsibility
- Documentation effort
- Internal coordination
- Project uncertainty
06 · Similar
