Chief Operating Officer (COO)

Job description

VAULTED AG is a Swiss deep-tech scale-up born out of research at ETH Zurich and the EMPA innovation ecosystem. We combine world-class engineering, computational design, digital fabrication, and advanced manufacturing to rethink how buildings are designed and delivered, at a time when AI, automation, and data-driven design are transforming the industry. Our core technology is the Rippmann Floor System® (RFS), a lightweight, prefabricated structural floor system that reduces concrete use by up to 70%, steel use by up to 90%, and embodied carbon by up to 75% compared with conventional concrete slabs. After years of research and technology development, VAULTED is entering a major growth phase across Switzerland, Belgium, the UK, and the US. Location: Dübendorf ZH, Switzerland · Start date: Q1 2027 · 100% · Reporting to the CEO Tasks We are hiring a Chief Operating Officer to build the operational engine that turns confirmed projects into reliable, profitable, and scalable delivery. This is a senior leadership role for someone who combines deep project and construction industry understanding with strong operational and commercial judgement, but also someone who is very hands-on and enjoys setting up the systems and processes behind our operations. The COO takes ownership once a project is won and oversees project delivery, project management, supplier and prefabrication partnerships, operational contracting, and project economics. The role ensures that scope, timelines, quality, risks, resources, costs, and margins are transparent and actively managed, while giving project teams the structure and support they need to deliver. A core mandate is to make VAULTED better with every project: translate project learnings into stronger processes, supplier setups, handovers, delivery standards, and feedback to engineering and R&D. The COO builds the operational capabilities required to scale across Switzerland, Belgium, the UK, and the US without adding unnecessary complexity. This is a 100% role. Operational leadership & project delivery: Build and lead the operating model required to deliver VAULTED projects reliably and efficiently. Oversee the project management function, set clear execution standards, and support escalation and decision-making on active projects. Project economics & controlling: Establish disciplined project controlling across budgets, costs, forecas…