Cleaning & Laboratory Engineer (all genders)

Blackwave GmbH; Potzham; On-site; EUR 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Germany ticket

Egym Wellpass

Tax-free Give Card

Lunch culture

Autonomy & impact

Aerospace startup mindset

Rooftop terrace views

Growth opportunities

Team events & gatherings

Job summary

Blackwave GmbH in Garching near Munich is seeking an on-site Cleaning Process Lead for COPVs. You will own the complete cleaning workflow, perform lab analyses, and push toward a standardized, scalable production process in collaboration with the Texas team.

Fluency in German and English, hands-on leadership, and a strong quality mindset are essential as you develop the Operator Team and ensure contamination control across production steps.

Qualifications

• Completed technical or scientific vocational training or a relevant degree with practical lab/manufacturing experience
• Knowledge of quality requirements, documentation practices, and defect prevention
• Independent, solution-oriented, responsible approach; thrives in dynamic production
• Fluent German and English; strong communication; on-site in Garching day shift

Responsibilities

• Oversee the complete cleaning process for COPVs in Garching from preparation to final verification
• Carry out cleaning and laboratory analyses and validate technical cleanliness
• Develop a standardized, scalable cleaning process with the Texas team
• Monitor quality, identify contamination risks, and implement improvements
• Lead the Operator Team development in the long term

Job description

YOUR RESPONSIBILITIES

THE WHAT

You will be responsible for the cleaning process of our Composite Overwrapped Pressure Vessels (COPVs) at our Garching site. You will carry out cleaning and laboratory activities, validate technical cleanliness, and develop the existing process into a standardized, reliable, and scalable production process.

You will work closely with our Cleaning Team in Texas and gradually take on technical leadership responsibilities for the development of the Operator Team.

THE WHY

Technical cleanliness is essential to the safety and reliability of our pressure vessels used in space applications. You will ensure that our COPVs meet the required cleanliness standards and that our cleaning processes are reliably integrated into production.

YOUR IMPACT

You will establish the foundation for a reproducible, quality-assured cleaning process that can scale with our production needs. Your work will ensure that contamination is detected, quality requirements are met, and improvements are implemented sustainably.

Your responsibilities in detail and by priority

You will take ownership of the entire cleaning process for our COPVs in Garching, from preparation and hands-on execution to the final assessment of technical cleanliness. Together with the Cleaning Team in Texas, you will develop a standardized and scalable process.

Accountability:Take ownership of the entire process, from the first cleaning step to verified results

You will perform the required laboratory analyses, evaluate measurement results, and identify potential contamination. You will ensure that testing methods meet relevant quality requirements.

High Performance:Use reliable analytical data to support informed quality decisions

You will investigate process deviations, identify weaknesses, and independently implement improvements. Your goal is to establish a robust cleaning process that performs reliably and scales with our production needs.

Playfulness:Challenge existing workflows and develop practical solutions that deliver lasting improvements

You will work closely with the Cleaning Team in Texas to exchange knowledge, share experience, and establish common standards. You will ensure that relevant quality requirements and process changes are communicated clearly.

Togetherness:Connect teams and knowledge across locations

You will identify risks to technical cleanliness during cleaning, storage, and transportation. You will develop appropriate protective measures and support the qualification of cleaning processes to ensure that the achieved level of cleanliness is maintained until the next production step.

Candor:Make risks and deviations visible early and ensure they are addressed systematically

YOUR PROFILE

Must-haves

• Completed technical or scientific vocational training or a relevant degree, for example in chemistry, process engineering, production engineering, or a comparable field, combined with relevant practical experience in a laboratory or manufacturing environment
• Knowledge of relevant quality requirements, documentation practices, and industry best practices, as well as a strong understanding of process quality and defect prevention
• An independent, solution-oriented, and responsible approach to work. You take ownership, identify problems, and thrive in a dynamic production environment
• Fluent German and English skills, strong communication and teamwork abilities, and a willingness to work fully on-site in Garching on the day shift

Nice-to-haves

• Experience with laboratory analysis of technical cleanliness, particularly Non-Volatile Residue (NVR) testing, and comparable testing methods
• Experience analyzing and improving production or laboratory processes
• Knowledge of cleanroom technology and contamination control, such as ISO 14644, material compatibility, and precision cleaning
• Experience in the technical leadership and development of a team

WHAT WE OFFER

• Choose your own benefit:Germany ticket, Egym Wellpass, or a tax-free Give Card
• Healthy & social lunch culture:Fresh meals during shared lunch breaks
• High level of autonomy & real impact: You own a critical seam in the business — between what we sell and what we build
• Startup mindset meets aerospace innovation: Flat hierarchies, fast decisions, and space for your ideas
• Stunning views:Rooftop terrace with views of the Alps in Taufkirchen, or indoor garden in Garching-Hochbrück
• Growth opportunities: Work on technically demanding projects with real stakes
• We live our team culture:From tech talks to team events and after-work gatherings — we celebrate success together