Design Engineering Team Leader (m/f/d)

Sitka Inc.; Pleinfeld; Hybrid; EUR 90,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

Gore in Pleinfeld, Germany, seeks a Design Engineering Team Leader (m/f/d) to guide the equipment Design Engineering team, ensuring support for manufacturing and R&D equipment through continuous improvement. You will manage the team’s project portfolio, plan CapEx, and drive efficiency with automation and digital solutions.

The role requires leadership experience, strong project management, and fluency in English and German, with a culture of inclusion and accountability.

Qualifications

• B.S. Degree in engineering or science.
• 2 years of formal People Leadership experience or 7 years of experience in engineering.
• Experience deploying advanced manufacturing technologies (machine vision, robotics and automation, AI, data acquisition, industrial networking, sensors, high-speed or flexible automation, digitally connected equipment).
• Knowledge of equipment design and engineering fundamentals.
• Proven experience with large and/or complex project management and prioritization.
• Strong interpersonal skills including cross-functional collaboration and influence.
• Demonstrated mentoring and development of others.
• Travel up to 10%.
• Business fluent in English and German.

Responsibilities

• Partner with Plant Leaders and other leaders to prioritize equipment needs.
• Lead and develop associates in best practices and leadership skills.
• Drive performance and engagement through coaching and accountability.
• Develop and execute Pleinfeld equipment strategy aligning with plant priorities.
• Own local CapEx planning process.
• Drive project execution and daily engineering support using shared tools and project practices.
• Partner with global Design Engineering to align with expectations.
• Lead talent management and resource planning including hiring and performance management.
• Lead team through change in alignment with enterprise direction.

Skills

Leadership

Team management

Advanced manufacturing tech

Equipment design fundamentals

Project management

Interpersonal skills

Mentoring and development

English and German fluency

Education

B.S. Degree in engineering or science

Job description

Category: Engineering, Scientists & Technicians

Experience Level: Experienced

Work Arrangement: Hybrid

Posting Start Date: 9/25/26

Posting End Date: 10/8/26

About the Role

We are looking for a Design Engineering Team Leader (m/f/d) to join our team at Pleinfeld (PLF). In this role, you will lead the equipment Design Engineering team supporting PLF plants. Y ou will ensure effective functional support of manufacturing and R&D equipment through continuous improvement, while managing the team’s portfolio of work (project and non-project) through planning, prioritization, and progress tracking metrics and while maintaining a healthy team environment.

Responsibilities

• Partner with Plant Leaders, Supply Chain Leaders, BU Tech Leaders, and Engineering Leader to understand and prioritize manufacturing, business, and R&D equipment needs.
• Lead and develop associates related to functional best practices and leadership skills to ensure the team has the capabilities to meet the needs of the plant/business.
• Drive performance and engagement through coaching and feedback and hold others accountable for results.
• Develop, align, and execute the equipment strategy for Pleinfeld by partnering with key stakeholders, aligning plant and business priorities, driving efficiency through process optimization and automation, and maximizing the value of existing people, equipment, and supporting capabilities.
• Own and steer the local CapEx planning process in alignment with business needs.
• Drive effective execution of engineering projects and daily engineering support through application of shared business tools and project practices, including project definition, setting priorities, and tracking to measurable outcomes.
• Partner with the global Design Engineering functional leader to ensure team alignment with functional expectations.
• Drive talent management and resource planning, including championing the hiring process and performance management.
• Lead team through change, in alignment with Enterprise and OpCo direction.
• Steward the Gore Culture and facilitate effective communication within and outside the team.

Required Qualifications

• B.S. Degree in engineering or science
• 2 years of formal People Leadership experience or 7 years of experience in engineering
• Demonstrated experience developing and successfully deploying advanced manufacturing technologies, such as machine vision and image processing, robotics and automation, artificial intelligence, data acquisition and integration, industrial networking, sensor-enabled systems, high-speed or flexible automation, and digitally connected equipment solutions.
• Demonstrated knowledge of equipment design and engineering fundamentals.
• Proven experience with large and/or complex project management and multiple project prioritization.
• Strong interpersonal skills including communicating and influencing across different functions and teams.
• Demonstrated ability to adapt to changing conditions and a track record of delivering outstanding results in new and challenging situations.
• Demonstrated skill in mentoring and developing others.
• Actively demonstrates Gore’s guiding principles and fosters an environment of inclusion, authenticity, and humility.
• Travel up to 10%
• Business fluent in English and German language

Desired Qualifications

What We Offer

Our success is based on the capability and creativity of our Associates, and we are proud to offer a comprehensive and competitive total rewards program that supports your everyday and helps you build your tomorrow.

We provide benefits that offer choice and flexibility and promote overall well-being. And in keeping with our belief that every Associate should share in the collective success of the enterprise; we provide a distinctive Associate Stock Ownership Plan in each country as well as potential opportunities for “profit-sharing”. Learn more at gore.com/careers/benefits

Gore is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, gender, national origin, ancestry, age, status as a qualified individual with a disability, genetic information, pregnancy status, medical condition, marital status, sexual orientation, status as a protected veteran, gender identity and expression, and any other characteristic protected by applicable laws and regulations.

Gore is committed to a drug-free workplace. All employment is contingent upon successful completion of drug and background screening. Gore will consider qualified applicants with criminal histories, e.g., arrest and conviction records, in a manner consistent with the requirements of applicable laws.

Gore requires all applicants to be eligible to work within the United States. Gore generally will not sponsor visas unless otherwise noted on the position description.

For over 65 years, Gore has improved lives through discovery, product innovation and rewarding careers for Associates. We push the boundaries of what's possible — not just through our products and technologies but also through individual growth and development.

We believe in the strength of a diverse and inclusive workplace. With diverse perspectives, ideas and experiences, we uncover new possibilities and make a greater impact in the world. Our Associates build on a rich history of innovation, upholding Gore’s values and supporting an inclusive work environment where we treat each other and our external partners with fairness, dignity and respect.

Copyright 2025 W. L. Gore & Associates, Inc.