Lead Operations Engineer - Pilot Center (m/f/d)

tesa; Hamburg; On-site; EUR 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

tesa seeks a Lead Operations Engineer in Hamburg to ensure reliability, safety and ongoing development of the Pilot Center. You will own electrical safety as VEFK and lead electrical operations, maintenance and automation projects across Technology & Product Development and production.

You will coordinate internal and external specialists, drive improvements, and ensure compliance with relevant standards, while maintaining strong cross-functional collaboration and documentation through your

Qualifications

• University degree in Automation Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or related discipline.
• Existing qualification as Responsible Electrical Engineer (VEFK) is mandatory.
• At least three years in technical operation, maintenance and support of machinery.
• Experience in project management and equipment optimization.
• Strong PLC programming and visualization skills (Siemens S7, TIA Portal, WinCC).
• Experience with drive technology (Siemens/Lenze).
• Knowledge of ATEX and hazardous-area requirements is advantageous.
• Structured, proactive, and communicative approach; ability to coordinate external service providers.
• Fluent German and English

Responsibilities

• Assume the role of VE FK with responsibilities for electrical safety and organization of electrical operations.
• Ensure technical availability, reliability and safe operation of machinery and systems.
• Drive technical optimization and continuous improvement of equipment and processes.
• Plan and oversee preventive and scheduled maintenance to minimize downtime.
• Lead technical projects from planning to commissioning and integration.
• Coordinate internal and external specialists during maintenance and installation activities.
• Advance Pilot Center development in automation, drive tech, control systems and visualization.
• Ensure compliance with ISO 9001, IATF 16949, ISO 14001, ISO 50001 where applicable.
• Support procurement of technical services, equipment and parts with cost-effective specs.

Skills

Automation Engineering

Electrical Engineering

Instrumentation & Control

VEFK qualification

Siemens S7

TIA Portal

HMI/SCADA (WinCC)

Drive technology (Siemens/Lenze)

ATEX knowledge

German & English skills

Education

University degree in Automation Engineering / Electrical Engineering

Tools

Siemens S7

TIA Portal

WinCC 7.x

SAP (ERP)

Job description

What you will do

As a Lead Operations Engineer, you will play a key role in ensuring the technical reliability, safety and continuous development of tesa’s Pilot Center. Located at the interface between Technology & Product Development and industrial production, you will drive equipment optimization, maintenance and automation while ensuring the safe and efficient operation of our technical systems. Working closely with operational teams and cross‑functional stakeholders, you will take ownership of technical improvements, lead maintenance and engineering projects, and coordinate internal and external specialists. As the Responsible Electrical Engineer (VEFK), you will assume responsibility for electrical safety and the proper organization of electrical operations within the Pilot Center. An existing qualification as a Responsible Electrical Engineer (VEFK) is a prerequisite for this role.

Your tasks include

• Assume the role of Responsible Electrical Engineer (VEFK), taking on the associated responsibilities for electrical safety and the proper organization of electrical operations within the Pilot Center.
• Ensure the technical availability, reliability and safe operation of machinery, equipment and systems within the Pilot Center and Technology & Product Development.
• Drive the technical optimization and continuous improvement of equipment, processes, and maintenance strategies.
• Plan, coordinate and oversee preventive and scheduled maintenance activities to minimize downtime and ensure operational reliability.
• Lead technical projects from planning and budgeting through supplier selection, implementation, commissioning, and integration of new equipment.
• Provide technical leadership and coordinate internal and external specialists during maintenance, installation and improvement activities, ensuring clear documentation and effective execution.
• Drive the further technical development of the Pilot Center, particularly in automation, drive technology, control systems, and visualization.
• Ensure compliance with applicable health, safety, environmental, quality and energy requirements and standards, including ISO 9001, IATF 16949, ISO 14001 and ISO 50001, as applicable.
• Support the procurement of technical services, equipment and spare parts, ensuring appropriate technical specifications and cost‑effective solutions.

What you will need

• University degree in Automation Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Instrumentation and Control Engineering or a comparable technical discipline, combined with relevant professional experience.
• Existing qualification as a Responsible Electrical Engineer (Verantwortliche Elektrofachkraft – VEFK), with the necessary technical expertise and qualifications to assume the associated responsibilities. This is a mandatory requirement.
• At least three years of experience in the technical operation, maintenance and support of machinery and equipment, ideally in an industrial environment.
• Experience in technical project management and the implementation of equipment and process optimization projects, preferably in the chemical or process engineering industry.
• Solid knowledge of PLC programming, particularly Siemens S7, TIA Portal and safety systems, as well as experience maintaining HMI/SCADA visualizations, such as TIA HMI and WinCC 7.x.
• Practical experience with drive technology, ideally involving Siemens and Lenze systems.
• Knowledge of explosion protection and hazardous‑area requirements, particularly ATEX, is an advantage.
• A structured, independent, and solution‑oriented working style, with the ability to quickly understand complex technical processes and systems.
• A strong sense of responsibility, a proactive mindset, and the ability to take ownership of technical topics and drive them forward.
• Excellent communication, coordination and assertiveness skills, enabling effective collaboration across functions and the technical coordination of external service providers.
• Good written and spoken German and English skills
• Experience working with ERP systems, preferably SAP, is an advantage.

What you can expect

tesa is one of the world’s leading manufacturers of adhesive tape solutions, with a range of more than 7,000 products. With passion for technology, we drive innovation, reliability, and sustainability to shape a better future. Our solutions make a difference in the work, products, and lives of our customers across a variety of industries, including Automotive, Electronics, and Home applications. With this, we address a broad segment of business customers, but also you as a private consumer. You might be surprised to discover the many places where our adhesive solutions are at work, from the battery in your electric car, to the display of your mobile phone, and even in the elevator in your building. Wherever you look, you’ll find tesa – holding the world together since more than 125 years.