Project Engineer

VetterTec GmbH; Deutschland; On-site; EUR 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Bike leasing

Subsidized public transportation

Corporate Benefits

Company benefits

International development

Job summary

VetterTec in Kassel, Germany, seeks a Project Engineer to own technically demanding projects from kickoff to handover, coordinating engineering, procurement, and site teams.

You will lead cross-functional teams, manage budgets and schedules, travel internationally, and contribute to a collaborative, solution-focused culture with a strong emphasis on hands-on, practical experience.

Qualifications

• Experience in international plant or equipment engineering.
• Hands-on, shop floor or construction site background prioritized.
• Mechanical engineering background: Techniker or Bachelor's / FH degree.
• Experience in vessel and plant construction and welding.
• Project management capability with budget, schedule and risk ownership.
• Fluent in English; German an asset.

Responsibilities

• Full project ownership from order handover to TOC (technical and commercial).
• Single point of contact for the customer throughout the project.
• Functional leadership of the core project team and coordination.
• Technical judgment on equipment and process; challenge assumptions.
• On-site presence at milestones: kick-off, construction, commissioning, handover.
• Engage with suppliers for FAT of critical components.
• Lead agile rhythm: weekly syncs, visual progress boards, rolling planning.
• Integrate contributions of Engineering, Procurement, Manufacturing and Installation.

Skills

International project experience

Hands-on shop floor experience

Mechanical engineering background

Vessel and plant construction

Project management

English proficiency

Willingness to travel internationally

Lightweight agile leadership

Professional or Senior level

Education

Techniker (apprenticeship + Techniker)

Bachelor's / FH degree

Job description

VetterTec is an innovative company headquartered in Kassel, Germany, with more than 95 years of experience in the development and manufacturing of machinery and systems for industrial drying and dewatering, particularly for the food processing industry. With a team of more than 160 employees across six locations and an international sales share exceeding 80%, we offer an exciting and dynamic working environment.

To support our continued growth, we are looking for a Project Engineer who is passionate about driving technically demanding projects to success.

As a Project Engineer, you take ownership of projects from kick-off through final handover, both technically and organizationally. Acting as the customer's main point of contact, you work closely with Technical Engineering, Process Engineering, Procurement, and site teams to ensure successful project execution. This role is ideal for someone who leads through technical expertise and practical experience, with a strong focus on technical project responsibility rather than pure project coordination.

Your Responsibilities:

• Full project ownership from order handover to technical and commercial handover (TOC) - budget, schedule, risk and scope
• Single point of contact for the customer throughout the project
• Functional leadership of the core project team - holding the team's capacity together and keeping the project moving as one
• Technical judgment: understanding the equipment and the process well enough to challenge assumptions and demand the right decisions at the right time
• On-site presence at the milestones that matter — project kick-off, construction start, mechanical and electrical completion, commissioning start, and the final performance run (Leistungsfahrt) through handover
• Presence at key suppliers for the acceptance (FAT) of critical components
• Running the team's agile rhythm - weekly syncs, a shared task board, rolling short-term planning, and visualizing progress - and adjusting quickly when the project needs it
• Integrating the contributions of Technical Engineering, Process Engineering, Procurement, Manufacturing, Installation and Commissioning into one coherent project, without replacing any of them

What You Bring:

• Professional experience in international plant or equipment engineering (Anlagenbau), ideally with process or industrial equipment
• A hands-on, practical mindset — someone who has stood on a shop floor or a construction site, not only in front of a screen; we weigh practical experience over theoretical credentials
• A mechanical engineering background as a Techniker (completed apprenticeship plus Techniker) or a comparable practical qualification (Bachelor's / FH degree)
• Experience in vessel and plant construction (Anlagen- und Behälterbau) - manufacturing methods and welding processes
• Project management capability - comfortable owning budget, schedule and risk - with a technical center of gravity
• Business-fluent English (must-have); German is a plus, not a requirement
• Willingness to travel internationally, including assignments of around two weeks at a time
• Comfortable leading a team with lightweight agile practices - task boards, short review cycles, rolling planning - rather than heavyweight process
• Professional or Senior level - we are hiring at both

How We Work:

• Projects follow a clear phase structure, but day to day we work in short cycles — weekly team syncs, a shared task board, and rolling four-to-six-week planning alongside the overall schedule
• Remote work is possible for this role, with on-site presence expected for supplier acceptances of key components and for construction and site activities
• You don't need to be based in Germany
• Onboarding starts in the office; afterwards, your working pattern is by arrangement
• A relaxed, direct working atmosphere — we'd rather solve a problem in the team meeting than elevate it

What We Offer:

• Real ownership of international projects from kick-off through commissioning and final handover
• A technically challenging role with a high level of responsibility and the opportunity to shape Project Engineering at VetterTec
• A collaborative, solution-oriented culture with short decision-making processes
• 30 days of annual leave, attractive working conditions, and a competitive compensation package
• Comprehensive employee benefits, including bike leasing, subsidized public transportation, Corporate Benefits, and additional company benefits
• Extensive personal and professional development opportunities in an international environment

Take Your Opportunity - Join us and actively contribute to the continued growth and development of our company. Together, we strive to inspire our employees and customers through innovative technology, modern structures, and sustainable growth

Together Towards the Future. Are You Ready to Join Us?

If you have any questions regarding this position, please contact Ms. Jasmin Hohmann at [phone].

Convince Us. We Look Forward to Getting to Know You!