Mechanical Engineering Manager

Optimus Search Limited; Sachsen; On-site; EUR 120,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

Optimus Search Limited is seeking a Head of Sustaining Engineering for a senior leadership role in Germany. The position oversees a multidisciplinary team responsible for the performance, reliability and continuous improvement of advanced semiconductor equipment and photonics.

You will manage released products, drive reliability initiatives and coordinate with international teams. The role requires 7–10+ years in semiconductor equipment, proven leadership and strong experience in sustaining

Qualifications

• 7–10+ years of engineering experience in semiconductor equipment or high-reliability systems.
• Proven experience leading multidisciplinary engineering teams.
• Experience managing released products, field failures and continuous improvement programs.
• Strong background in sustaining engineering and engineering change management.

Responsibilities

• Lead and develop multidisciplinary engineering teams across mechanical, electrical, software and systems engineering.
• Own released semiconductor equipment, ensuring performance and reliability.
• Manage engineering change requests and customer-driven product modifications.
• Lead field issue investigations, root cause analysis and corrective actions.
• Drive reliability initiatives, MTBF tracking and performance optimisation.
• Deliver cost-reduction, DFx, and product improvement programmes.
• Manage component obsolescence, supplier changes and lifecycle risks.
• Collaborate with NPI to ensure smooth transitions to sustaining engineering.

Skills

Leadership

Team leadership

Root cause analysis

FMEA MTBF

NPI experience

DFx methodologies

Lifecycle management

Education

Engineering degree

Job description

Head of Sustaining Engineering – Semiconductor Equipment / Photonics (m/f/d)

Industry: Semiconductor Equipment | Silicon Photonics | Advanced Test & Measurement

The Opportunity

We are looking for an experienced Head of Sustaining Engineering to lead a multidisciplinary engineering team responsible for the performance, reliability and continuous improvement of advanced semiconductor equipment.

This is a senior leadership opportunity within a highly innovative technology environment, with responsibility for managing released products throughout their lifecycle, resolving complex technical challenges and driving engineering excellence.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and develop multidisciplinary engineering teams across mechanical, electrical, software and systems engineering.
• Take ownership of released semiconductor equipment, ensuring product performance, reliability and continuous improvement.
• Manage engineering change requests and customer-driven product modifications.
• Lead field issue investigations, root cause analysis and corrective actions.
• Drive reliability engineering initiatives, including MTBF tracking and performance optimisation.
• Deliver cost-reduction, design-for-manufacturability (DFM) and product improvement programmes.
• Manage component obsolescence, supplier changes and product lifecycle risks.
• Collaborate with NPI teams to ensure successful transitions from product development into sustaining engineering.
• Establish robust engineering processes, documentation and configuration management standards.
• Support critical customer escalations and provide technical leadership across international teams.

Your Profile

• 7–10+ years' engineering experience within semiconductor capital equipment, semiconductor manufacturing or similarly complex high-reliability systems.
• Proven experience leading multidisciplinary engineering teams.
• Strong background in sustaining engineering, product engineering, NPI or engineering management.
• Experience managing released products, field failures and continuous improvement programmes.
• Understanding of semiconductor equipment reliability, manufacturing processes and engineering change management.
• Knowledge of FMEA, MTBF, root cause analysis, accelerated life testing and DFx methodologies.
• Experience working with international engineering teams and suppliers.
• Strong leadership, communication and problem-solving capabilities.
• Degree in Mechanical, Electrical, Electronics Engineering or a related technical discipline.

Particularly Interesting Experience

Candidates with experience in any of the following areas are strongly encouraged to apply:

• Wafer Probing & Semiconductor Test Equipment
• Optical Metrology & Precision Measurement
• Semiconductor Inspection & Capital Equipment
• Complex Electromechanical Systems
• NPI, Product Lifecycle Management & Reliability Engineering

What's on Offer?

• Senior engineering leadership position within an advanced technology environment.
• Opportunity to shape and develop a multidisciplinary sustaining engineering function.
• Exposure to cutting-edge semiconductor and photonics technologies.
• International collaboration and technically challenging projects.
• Competitive remuneration and long-term career progression.

Interested?

If you have a strong background in semiconductor equipment engineering, sustaining engineering or technical leadership, we'd be keen to hear from you.