Project Manager for Optical Systems (m/w/d)

Jenoptik Group; Jena; Hybrid; EUR 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Jenoptik is seeking a Senior Technical Project Manager in Jena, Germany, to steer complex optical systems through full product lifecycles—from concept to serial production. You will own high-impact projects, manage demanding global customers, and protect engineering velocity in a fast-paced environment.

Ideal candidates bring 8+ years in full-lifecycle optical program management, PMI/PMP familiarity, and strong communication in English and German.

Qualifications

• 8+ years of PM experience leading complex optical systems from concept to production.
• Proven ability to manage demanding global accounts and protect team velocity.
• Experience with PSP/8D root-cause investigations during project crises.
• Familiarity with PMI/PMP, scheduling, budgeting software, SAP, and risk registers.
• Master’s or Bachelor’s in Optical Engineering, Physics, or related field; business-fluent English and good German.

Responsibilities

• Lead late-stage projects to successful production transfer with zero surprises.
• Establish robust communication protocols and change management controls.
• Architect and baseline 1–2 next-generation optical programs with charters and risk registers.
• Lead root-cause investigations (PSP/8D) to protect delivery milestones.
• Modernize PM processes and tools to improve predictability and reporting.

Skills

Optical systems

Customer diplomacy

Root-cause analysis

PM methodologies

EnglishGerman

Education

Optical Engineering or Physics degree

Tools

SAP

Scheduling software

Risk management tools

Job description

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We create photonic solutions to shape the world of tomorrow, together with people who embrace brilliant ideas with openness and curiosity.With teams in over 80 countries, we offer you the opportunity to reach your full potential.

Job ID: 5362

Location: Jena, Thuringia, DE

Date: Oct 21, 2026

The Mission:

We are seeking an experienced, resilient Senior Technical Project Manager to steer complex optical systems through their entire product lifecycle—from early conceptual design and prototyping, through transfer to production, and into series manufacturing.

In this role, you will take immediate ownership of high-impact projects nearing delivery while setting up new customer programs for success. Operating in a fast-paced environment with highly demanding global customers, you will serve as both the execution engine and the protective shield for your development team—balancing aggressive timelines and evolving requirements with structured project governance and clear communication.

Top 5 Performance Objectives:

Within your first 12 months, your success will be defined by the following measurable milestones:

1. Master Demanding Customer Dynamics & Protect Team Velocity

Establish robust communication protocols and formal change management controls within your first 6 months. You will handle demanding clients, short timelines, and floating requirements by converting scope changes into transparent impact assessments (cost, schedule, risk). Your goal is to keep the customer satisfied and informed while shielding the engineering team from constant churn and burnout.

2. Drive Late-Stage Projects to Successful Production Transfer

By Month 6, take full operational ownership of designated ongoing optical system projects. You will navigate design freezes, prototype builds, and qualification phases to achieve a seamless, validated handover to the manufacturing operations team with zero late-stage technical surprises.

3. Architect and Launch 1–2 Next-Generation Programs

By month 12, initiate and baseline new, high-complexity optical development projects as new customer contracts are awarded. You will establish clear project charters, realistic schedules, risk registers, and cross-functional alignment across Engineering, Product Management, and Operations from day one.

4. Lead Critical Project Problem-Solving Activities (PSP)

When technical, supplier, or production transfer bottlenecks arise, step in directly to lead complex root-cause investigations (using structured PSP methodologies). By Month 9, you will successfully resolve at least one major project criticality—protecting delivery milestones, minimizing cost impact, and maintaining customer confidence.

5. Modernize Project Management Processes and Tools Throughout Year 1, actively contribute to elevating our overall PM discipline. You will identify process gaps, introduce modernized tools and standardized templates, and establish data-driven tracking to improve predictability, reduce administrative friction, and streamline executive reporting.

The Profile of Success:

If you can achieve the performance objectives above, you have the right background. We anticipate the ideal candidate will bring:

• Full-Lifecycle Optical Systems Expertise: 8+ years of technical project management experience leading complex optical, opto-mechatronic, or diffractive optics systems from initial concept through serial production.
• Customer Diplomacy & Resilient Stakeholder Management: A proven track record of managing demanding global accounts. You possess the executive gravitas to negotiate scope, say "yes, and here is the impact" rather than a blind "yes", and maintain team focus under pressure.
• Crisis Management & Problem-Solving Acumen: Hands‑on experience leading structured root‑cause analysis (PSP/8D) during project crises, supplier failures, or manufacturing ramp‑up issues.
• Process & Tool Mastery: Deep familiarity with modern PM methodologies (PMI/PMP), scheduling/budgeting software, SAP, and risk registers, with a passion for process improvement.
• Technical Foundation & Communication: A Master’s or Bachelor’s degree in Optical Engineering, Physics, or a related field, combined with business‑fluent English and good German skills.

Contact:

What we offer:

About Jenoptik

With its Strategic Business Unit (SBU) Semiconductor & Advanced Manufacturing, Jenoptik is a global OEM and machine supplier of solutions powered by photonics. Our engineering expertise excels across a broad portfolio in the fields of optic, micro-optics and precision components for the semiconductor equipment industry. Moreover, the SBU addresses the megatrend of digitalization with solutions for optical information and communications technology as well as laser material processing.

Should you need any further information, please do not hesitate to contact us.