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

ZEISS Group; Oberkochen; Hybrid; EUR 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

ZEISS Group in Oberkochen is seeking a skilled professional to shape end-to-end automation for high-end optics manufacturing. You will identify requirements for material flow, develop robust concepts, and implement solutions in collaboration with architects, engineers, and operations teams.

With 2–3 years in automation and a strong background in mechatronics or related fields, you will work on sensitive optical components and complex processes, both on-site and in hybrid settings.

Qualifications

• Master’s degree in mechatronics, mechanical, electrical, aerospace, automation or equivalent.
• 2–3 years of experience in development or automation of technical manufacturing processes.
• Experience with sensitive components and high-tech manufacturing environments such as semiconductor or medical tech.
• German and English language skills at least B2 (written and spoken).
• Nice to have PhD with industry focus.
• Experience with material flow simulation, Siemens Plant Simulation, or factory planning.

Responsibilities

• Identify requirements for production-related material flow and translate into clear technical concepts.
• Collaborate with product architects, process development engineers and operations teams to create implementable solutions.
• Develop and assess automation concepts for transport and handling of highly precise optical components.
• Improve existing automation solutions to increase robustness, efficiency, or scalability.
• Support concepts from initial technical clarification through handover to production; coordinate contributions for transparency across interfaces and results.
• Work closely with Oberkochen manufacturing teams; on-site presence required with possible hybrid options.

Skills

Automation of manufacturing processes

Technical development

B2 German and English

Education

Master’s degree in mechatronics, mechanical/ electrical/ aerospace/ automation engineering or equivalent

Tools

Siemens Plant Simulation

Job description

Enabler for smaller, more powerful, and more energy-efficient microchipsWorking 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.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.Your RoleIn Research & Development, you will identify requirements for production-related material flow and handling processes and translate them into clear technical conceptsWorking closely with product architects, process development engineers and operations teams, you will bring together differing technical requirements to create implementable solutionsYou 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 productionYou will further develop existing automation solutions and identify opportunities to make processes more robust, efficient or scalableWhen technical trade-offs arise, you will structure root causes, prioritize areas for action and guide stakeholders toward a mutually accepted solutionThroughout the full maturity cycle of a work package, you will support concepts from initial technical clarification through to handover to productionTogether with internal specialist departments and external partners, you will coordinate technical contributions to ensure transparency across interfaces, requirements and resultsIn cross-functional projects, you will contribute your ideas and develop solutions with high visibility across the organizationClose collaboration with manufacturing teams at the Oberkochen site requires you to be on site most of the time; hybrid working is possibleYour ProfileAn excellent university degree, at least at Master’s level, in mechatronics, mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, aerospace engineering, automation engineering or a comparable fieldAt 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 handoverExperience 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 processesGerman and English language skills at a minimum B2 level, enabling confident written and spoken communicationNice to HaveA PhD, preferably with an industry-oriented focus, complementing your scientifically grounded approach to complex technical challengesExperience with material flow simulation—particularly Siemens Plant Simulation—or factory planning, broadening your perspective on automated manufacturing processesYour ZEISS Recruiting Team:Katharina Eymann