Production Equipment Development Engineer

VAT Group; Sankt Gallen; On-site; CHF 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

VAT Group, a world leader in vacuum solutions, seeks an engineer to design production equipment, fixtures, and manufacturing systems. You will drive modular workstation concepts, standardize platforms, and produce CAD models, drawings, and BOMs for industrialization and continuous improvement.

Joining VAT means working in an international team with focus on quality, safety, and engineering excellence. You will collaborate across functions and contribute to sustainable manufacturing standards.

Qualifications

• Completed technical vocational training as a Design Engineer, Polymechanic, or comparable discipline.
• Excellent German (spoken and written) and good English skills.
• Several years designing production equipment, fixtures, or manufacturing systems in an industrial setting.
• Strong CAD skills, preferably TopSolid 7, with ability to produce engineering docs.
• Solid understanding of manufacturing, lean, and continuous improvement.
• Knowledge of modular design, standardization, and platform engineering.
• Experience in technical project management.
• Structured, independent, solution-oriented work style with a strong quality mindset.
• Proficiency in MS Office and ERP systems.

Responsibilities

• Design and develop assembly fixtures, testing equipment, and production tools.
• Plan modular workstations, assembly lines, and production systems.
• Standardize equipment via reusable platform concepts and engineering standards.
• Create CAD models, drawings, BOMs, and technical documentation.
• Lead design and development projects, ensuring cost, timing, quality, and safety.
• Collaborate with Production, Product Development, Industrial Engineering, QA, and external partners.
• Share knowledge and advance engineering standards and best practices.

Skills

German language

English language

CAD skills

Project management

Teamwork

Education

Technical vocational training (Design Engineer/Polymechanic)

Tools

TopSolid 7

MS Office

ERP systems

Job description

About VAT Group

At VAT, we change the world with vacuum solutions. As the world’s leading supplier of high-performance vacuum valves, we have been driving innovation for more than 60 years. With over 3,200 employees worldwide, we operate from our headquarters in Haag, Switzerland, with manufacturing sites in Switzerland, Malaysia and Romania, as well as sales and service hubs around the world. We are guided by our passions: integrity, teamwork, customer centricity, and innovation – always working together as #oneVAT.

Location

Haag, St. Gallen, CH

Employment Type

Permanent

About VAT Group

At VAT, we change the world with vacuum solutions. As the world’s leading supplier of high-performance vacuum valves, we have been driving innovation for more than 60 years. With over 3,200 employees worldwide, we operate from our headquarters in Haag, Switzerland, with manufacturing sites in Switzerland, Malaysia and Romania, as well as sales and service hubs around the world. We are guided by our passions: integrity, teamwork, customer centricity, and innovation – always working together as #oneVAT.

Joining us means becoming part of a passionate, international team where your voice is heard, your ideas matter, and your career growth is supported.

Purpose of the Role

This role is responsible for the design and development of production equipment, assembly and testing fixtures, and manufacturing systems that support efficient, safe, and high-quality production processes. By driving standardization, modularization, and continuous improvement initiatives, the position contributes to successful industrialization, operational excellence, and the sustainable development of engineering standards and expertise.

Responsibilities

• Design and develop assembly fixtures, testing equipment, and production tools to support efficient and high-quality manufacturing processes.
• Plan and design modular workstations, assembly lines, and production systems with a focus on ergonomics, productivity, and scalability.
• Standardize and modularize production equipment and manufacturing solutions through reusable platform concepts, engineering standards, and best practices.
• Create and maintain CAD models, manufacturing drawings, bills of materials (BOMs), and production-related technical documentation.
• Lead and coordinate design and development projects while ensuring compliance with cost, timeline, quality, and safety requirements.
• Collaborate closely with Production, Product Development, Industrial Engineering, Quality Assurance, and external partners to develop sustainable technical solutions.
• Support knowledge sharing and contribute to the continuous development of engineering know-how, standards, and best practices.

Qualifications

• Completed technical vocational training as a Design Engineer, Polymechanic, or a comparable technical discipline.
• Very good written and spoken German and good English skills.
• Several years of experience in the design of production equipment, fixtures, special-purpose machinery, or manufacturing systems, ideally in an industrial environment.
• Strong proficiency in CAD systems, preferably TopSolid 7, and experience with technical documentation.
• Solid understanding of manufacturing processes, industrialization, lean manufacturing, and continuous improvement methodologies.
• Knowledge of modular design principles, standardization, and platform-based engineering concepts.
• Experience in technical project management.
• Structured, independent, and solution-oriented working style with a strong quality mindset.
• Proficiency in MS Office applications and ERP systems.
• Strong communication and teamwork skills with the ability to collaborate effectively across functions.

Our commitment to inclusion, fairness and equal opportunities

We believe in meaningful careers, continuous learning, and equal opportunities for everyone to drive our innovation and success. We welcome applicants from all backgrounds and are dedicated to fostering an inclusive and respectful workplace. If you have concerns, our compliance channel is available at our website. All reports are handled with strict confidentiality and in accordance with our Code of Conduct.