(Senior) Project Manager Photonic Integrated Circuit (m/f/x)

ZEISS Group; Oberkochen; On-site; EUR 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

ZEISS Group in Germany invites an experienced project manager to lead photonic integrated circuit (PIC) development within a corporate-backed startup environment. You will steer complex PIC programs, manage external partnerships, and ensure delivery against budgets and timelines.

You will lead cross-functional teams across development, production, marketing and customers, align goals with long‑term strategy, and mentor the project team while reporting progress to senior management.

Qualifications

• Master or Diploma in Physics, Electrical Engineering, Microsystems Technology or equivalent.
• Five or more years of practical project management experience.
• Certification such as PMP or IPMA preferred.
• Experience with photonic integrated circuits is a plus.
• Strong problem-solving and strategic thinking.
• Strong German and English communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead and manage complex photonic integrated circuit (PIC) development projects.
• Lead external partnerships and initiatives in PICs.
• Provide professional leadership to the project team.
• Plan and monitor project resources (budget, time, people).
• Ensure adherence to quality standards and deadlines.
• Work with internal/external stakeholders (development, production, marketing, customers, suppliers).
• Identify, assess, and mitigate project risks.
• Optimize project management processes and workflows.
• Report project progress to senior management.
• Manage procurement and contracts.

Skills

Project management

Leadership

Communication

Teamwork

German language

English language

Education

Master/Diploma in Physics, Electrical Engineering, Microsystems Technology or comparable

Tools

PMP Certification

IPMA Certification

Job description

Your Role

Are you passionate about driving integrated photonic technologies into innovative products? Then, leverage your experience to help us unlock the immense business potential of photonic integrated circuits (PIC) – a market that is growing rapidly due to the demand for AI, faster communication, and novel types of sensors. ZEISS has started a major strategic initiative to establish an interdisciplinary team in a dynamic and agile startup environment. The corporate-backed startup will benefit from ZEISS’s ecosystem and its expertise in the field of photonics. You will play a key role in the design, simulation, and characterization of photonic components and systems. In this exciting opportunity, you will design state-of-the-art photonic integrated circuits and contribute to the realization of complex photonic systems.

Your role:

• Lead and manage complex photonic integrated circuit (PIC) development projects
• Lead and manage complex external partnerships and initiatives in the field of Photonic Integrated Circuits (PICs)
• Provide professional leadership to the project team
• Plan and monitor project resources (budget, time, people)
• Ensure adherence to quality standards and deadlines
• Work closely with internal and external stakeholders (development, production, marketing, customers, suppliers)
• Identify, assess, and mitigate project risks
• Continuously optimize project management processes and workflows
• Report project progress to senior management
• Manage procurement and contracts

Your Profile

• University degree (Master/Diploma) in Physics, Electrical Engineering, Microsystems Technology or a comparable field
• Five or more years of practical experience in project management
• Proven project management experience, ideally with relevant certification (e.g. PMP, IPMA)
• Experience in the field of photonic integrated circuits and relevant technologies like waveguide design, lithography, assembly, and connection technology is a plus
• Experience in systematic problem solving and strategic thinking
• Ability to align project goals with the overall objectives of the organization and to consider the long‑term implications of decisions
• Ability to motivate the team and foster a positive, collaborative working environment
• Strong communication, conflict resolution, and team working skills
• Leadership and professional communication skills
• Very good written and oral skills in German and English

Your ZEISS Recruiting Team:

Friederike Kirklar-Harms