Development Engineer - Process Automation, High-End Optics Manufacturing R&D (m/f/x)

Carl Zeiss SMT GmbH; Oberkochen; On-site; EUR 65,000 - 95,000; Full time

Job summary

Carl Zeiss SMT GmbH in Oberkochen seeks an R&D Automation Engineer to shape end-to-end automation processes for high-precision optics manufacturing, from requirements clarifications to technical implementation.

You will work with product architects, process development engineers and operations, develop robust concepts, assess feasibility, and hand over to production. On-site collaboration is required, with hybrid work possible.

Qualifications

• Master's degree in mechatronics or related field.
• 2–3 years of experience in automation of technical manufacturing processes.
• Experience with sensitive components and high-tech manufacturing environments.
• Proficient in German and English (minimum B2).

Responsibilities

• Shape end-to-end automation processes from requirements clarification to implementation.
• Collaborate with product architects, process development engineers and operations teams.
• Develop and assess automation concepts for transport and handling of optical components.
• Advance existing automation solutions to improve robustness, efficiency or scalability.
• Support concepts from technical clarification through to production handover.

Education

Master's degree in mechatronics or related field

Tools

Siemens Plant Simulation

Job description

Enabler for smaller, more powerful, and more energy-efficient microchips Working for tomorrow today. Around 80 percent of all microchips worldwide are produced using ZEISS technologies. As the centerpiece of every electronically controlled system, they have become an integral part of our everyday lives – whether in smartphones, smart homes or smart factories. ZEISS is a technology leader in the field of semiconductor manufacturing equipment. With high-precision lithography optics, photomask systems and process control solutions, ZEISS enables the production of ever smaller, increasingly powerful, and more energy-efficient microchips, and thus plays a pivotal role in the age of micro- and nanoelectronics.

Your Role In Research & Development

• You will shape end-to-end automation processes for high-end optics manufacturing—from clarifying requirements and developing robust concepts through to technical implementation.
• In doing so, you will combine different technical perspectives and develop highly visible solutions in an innovation-driven environment.
• Working closely with product architects, process development engineers and operations teams, you will bring together differing technical requirements to create implementable solutions.
• You will develop and assess automation concepts for the transport and handling of highly precise, sensitive optical components, considering feasibility, robustness, scalability and suitability for industrial production.
• You will further develop existing automation solutions and identify opportunities to make processes more robust, efficient or scalable.
• When technical trade-offs arise, you will structure root causes, prioritize areas for action and guide stakeholders toward a mutually accepted solution.
• Throughout the full maturity cycle of a work package, you will support concepts from initial technical clarification through to handover to production.
• Together with internal specialist departments and external partners, you will coordinate technical contributions to ensure transparency across interfaces, requirements and results.
• In cross-functional projects, you will contribute your ideas and develop solutions with high visibility across the organization.
• Close collaboration with manufacturing teams at the Oberkochen site requires you to be on site most of the time; hybrid working is possible.

Your Profile

• An excellent university degree, at least at Master's level, in mechatronics, mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, aerospace engineering, automation engineering or a comparable field.
• At least two to three years of professional experience in the development or automation of technical manufacturing processes, including experience supporting complex technical solutions from requirements clarification through concept development and implementation to production handover.
• Experience in special-purpose machinery, precision manufacturing, semiconductor technology, medical technology or a comparable high-tech manufacturing environment, qualifying you to work with sensitive components and complex processes.
• German and English language skills at a minimum B2 level, enabling confident written and spoken communication.

Nice to Have

• A PhD, preferably with an industry-oriented focus, complementing your scientifically grounded approach to complex technical challenges.
• Experience with material flow simulation—particularly Siemens Plant Simulation—or factory planning, broadening your perspective on automated manufacturing processes.

Your ZEISS Recruiting Team: Katharina Eymann

Step out of your comfort zone, excel and redefine the limits of what is possible. That’s just what our employees are doing every single day – in order to set the pace through our innovations and enable outstanding achievements.

After all, behind every successful company are many great fascinating people. In a spacious modern setting full of opportunities for further development, ZEISS employees work in a place where expert knowledge and team spirit reign supreme.

All of this is supported by a special ownership structure and the long-term goal of the Carl Zeiss Foundation: to bring science and society into the future together.

Join us today. Inspire people tomorrow.

Diversity is a part of ZEISS. We look forward to receiving your application regardless of gender, nationality, ethnic and social origin, religion, philosophy of life, disability, age, sexual orientation or identity.