Team Leader Engineering

VAT Vakuumventile AG; Haag; On-site; CHF 150,000 - 230,000; Full time

Job summary

VAT Vakuumventile AG, based in Haag, Switzerland, seeks a visionary Team Leader on Manufacturing Technologies to bridge market demands, operations and technology development within Corporate Research & Development. The role leads a multidisciplinary team spanning welding, cleaning & high purity, bellows manufacturing and additive manufacturing, guiding tech portfolio and roadmaps.

The position requires a PhD or MSc in a related field, 5+ years in an international setting, and strong English and

Qualifications

• PhD or MSc in manufacturing technologies, mechanical engineering, materials science, physics or related field.
• Minimum 5 years of international experience in related environments.
• Strong leadership and team coaching experience.
• Excellent English and German language skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead a global, cross-functional team of interdisciplinary specialists (recruiting, training, coaching, capacity planning).
• Drive development of technology portfolio and roadmap.
• Identify and implement manufacturing and machining methods aligned with roadmaps.
• Optimize manufacturing chains in-house and with suppliers.
• Translate customer needs into technical specifications and requirements.
• Manage R&D project portfolio per innovation processes; ensure scalable, robust outcomes.
• Collaborate with product development, sourcing, quality and operations on technology topics.
• Expand network with customers, suppliers and research institutes.
• Train and enable other departments in relevant technology topics.

Skills

Team leadership

Cross-functional leadership

People-centric leadership

Analytical thinking

Problem solving

Travel willingness

Education

Engineering Degree (PhD or MSc) in manufacturing technologies or related field

Job description

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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.

We are looking for a visionary and people focused Team Leader on Manufacturing Technologies to act centrally between market demands, operations and technology development. The Team Leader Manufacturing Technologies will cover an important role in our Materials and Manufacturing Technology Department within Corporate Research & Development, leading a multidisciplinary team covering competencies in the fields of welding, cleaning & high purity, bellows manufacturing and additive manufacturing.It is crucial for this role to have a scientific and holistic understanding of the affiliated disciplines and to be capable of taking care of details to enable the team to act as a key interface between technological development, market requirements, operations, and external research ecosystems . The willingness to implement solutions with clear benefits for VAT and our customers is mandatory.

Your responsibilities:

• Manage and lead a global and cross-functional team of interdisciplinary specialists (recruiting, training, coaching, capacity handling, etc.)
• Support and drive the development of the technology portfolio and roadmap
• Identify, develop and implement suitable manufacturing and machining methods in agreement with our product- and industry roadmaps
• Optimize current manufacturing chains in-house and at suppliers
• Identify and understand customer needs and transfer them into technical/technological specifications
• Manage your R&D project portfolio according to our innovation processes and ensure scalability, robustness, and implementation of developed solutions
• Consult other departments like product development, product management, sourcing, quality and operations in technology topics
• Extend and foster our network with customers, suppliers and research institutes
• Train and enable other departments in relevant technology topics
• Engineering Degree (PhD or MSc) in manufacturing technologies, mechanical engineering, materials science, physics or related field
• Experience in leading cross functional teams and proven track record in developing and implementing manufacturing technologies in a high-tech environment
• Strong people-centric leadership approach and hands on mentality, analytical and systematic approach, creative thinker with problem solving skills and team spirit
• Willingness to travel (up to 20 %)
• Minimum 5 years professional experience in an international environment at least in one of the following fields, basic knowledge and interest for the others are beneficial for interdisciplinary interactions:
• Milling (especially Aluminum) and peripheral processes like cooling lubricants
• Additive manufacturing
• Welding technologies
• High purity cleaning technology
• Knowledge in vacuum, vacuum applications/processes and semiconductor industry is beneficial
• Strong English and German language capabilities

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 .