Process Architect / Strategic Project Manager R&D (f/m/x)

ZEISS Group; Oberkochen; On-site; EUR 90,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

ZEISS Group seeks a Process Architect / Strategic Project Manager R&D to analyze and optimize R&D workflows, develop forward-looking target-state concepts, and anchor them across the organization. You will define KPIs, plan strategic improvements, and lead interdisciplinary teams while facilitating workshops and delivering management-ready analyses.

You will bring a STEM degree and 3–5 years in R&D or product lifecycle management, plus strong German and English communication and experience with

Qualifications

• Degree in a STEM field, engineering, industrial engineering, or an equivalent qualification.
• Three to five years of experience in research and development, engineering, product development, or product lifecycle management.
• Experience in process management / process design and applying optimization and transformation methods (Lean, Agile, ADKAR).
• Structured, self-directed working style with basic project management experience.
• Strong written and spoken German and English; excellent facilitation and communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Analyze, design, and optimize processes along development and product lifecycle value streams.
• Develop target-state concepts and anchor them within the organization with KPIs and measurement concepts.
• Plan, structure, and manage strategic improvement and transformation projects.
• Lead interdisciplinary teams from a functional perspective and facilitate workshops.
• Prepare audience-specific analyses, management presentations, and decision documents.

Skills

Strong communication

Facilitation

German and English proficiency

Education

STEM degree (engineering/industrial engineering)

Tools

SAP Signavio

ServiceNow

Power Automate

Power BI

Job description

Enabling smaller, more powerful, and more energy-efficient microchipsWork where tomorrow takes shape.Around 80 percent of all microchips worldwide are manufactured using ZEISS technologies. As the core of every electronically controlled system, microchips have become indispensable in everyday life—from smartphones and smart homes to smart factories. ZEISS is a technology leader in semiconductor manufacturing equipment. With high-precision lithography optics, photomask systems, and process control solutions, ZEISS enables the production of ever smaller, more powerful, and more energy-efficient microchips—and is helping shape the era of micro- and nanoelectronics through its innovations.The Group Projects, Processes & Tools is responsible for strategic projects within the Carl Zeiss SMT R&D organization. Our focus is on developing and implementing processes, methods, and tools across the entire product development process.Your roleAs Process Architect / Strategic Project Manager R&D, you will play an active role in advancing our R&D value creation system. You will analyze existing workflows in the R&D environment, develop forward-looking and practical target-state concepts, and anchor them sustainably within the organization.Analyze, design, and optimize processes along development and product lifecycle management value streamsDevelop and implement efficient, scalable, and practical target processes aligned with business requirements, the organization, methods, and IT systemsDefine suitable KPIs as well as measurement and steering concepts to support sustainable process improvementPlan, structure, and manage strategic improvement and transformation projectsLead interdisciplinary teams from a functional perspectiveFacilitate workshops and prepare audience-specific analyses, management presentations, and decision documentsIn this role, you will have a lasting impact on how an innovative R&D organization works and deliver visible improvements in processes, collaboration, and product development.Your profileSuccessfully completed degree in a STEM field, engineering, industrial engineering, or a comparable qualificationThree to five years of experience in research and development, engineering, product development, or product lifecycle managementExperience in process management / process design as well as in applying common optimization and transformation methods, such as Lean, Agile, or ADKARBasic project management experience and a structured, self-directed way of workingStrong communication and facilitation skills, with excellent written and spoken German and EnglishConfident presence when interacting with different stakeholder groupsYou are an especially strong fit for this role if you also bring the following qualifications:Consulting experience in process and organizational design with a focus on R&D, for example in management consulting or internal consultingExperience in digitizing and automating processes, ideally using common tools such as SAP Signavio, ServiceNow, Power Automate, Power BI, etc.Strong strategic, analytical, and conceptual skillsWe look forward to receiving your application!Your ZEISS Recruiting Team:Rebecca Wöhrle