Team Lead Prototyping / R&D (m/f/x)

Circus SE; München; Hybrid; EUR 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Stock options

Hybrid work setup

Unlimited vacation

Corporate pension plan

Personal development budget

Job summary

Circus SE in Munich seeks an experienced R&D Engineering Manager to lead the team that brings robotics prototypes to life. You will oversee the Munich R&D center, coordinate operations, safety, and equipment, and ensure alignment between prototyping and engineering for better designs.

The role requires strong leadership, hands-on electrical/mechatronics expertise, and fluency in English and German. A hybrid work setup with on-site collaboration is offered.

Qualifications

• Completed apprenticeship in Electrical Engineering or Mechatronics or a related degree with hands-on experience.

Responsibilities

• Lead, coach and develop a team of R&D engineers and technicians, setting priorities and planning builds so prototypes land on time.

Skills

Electrical engineering

Mechatronics

Team leadership

Electrical fault finding

ESD/VDE knowledge

Problem solving

English & German fluency

Education

Apprenticeship in Electrical Engineering or Mechatronics

Related degree (preferred)

Tools

PLC systems

Motion control

3D printing

Sondermaschinenbau/automation

Job description

Our Mission

At Circus, headquartered in Munich, we are pioneering global developments in on-demand autonomous food production. Everything from creation to production and operation – enabled by seamlessly integrated cutting‑edge robotics and transformative AI technology.

Our foundation rests in the extensive developments of groundbreaking robotics driven by artificial intelligence, previously the missing link in achieving true autonomous food automation. This is the moment for a new status quo: Just as autonomous driving will disrupt how we build cities, organize our days, and live our lives, so will we shift our whole reality around food.

Our Team is backing a paradigm shift in one of humanity’s most important sectors with the sharpest minds in Robotics, AI, Engineering and Culinary, collaborating closely with industry‑leading partners to revolutionize every aspect of the food service experience.

Join us as we forge ahead, crafting a future where the art of cooking and the science of technology converge to create a world that thinks differently about food than it has for thousands of years—a world where food means something new.

About the Role

You’ll lead, build and develop the team that brings our robotics prototypes to life. Your R&D Engineers and technicians assemble, wire and configure the builds. You make sure they have the right priorities, tools, processes and support to do it well, and you step in at the bench when a problem needs your experience. You own unit assembly end to end. You also own our Munich R&D center: you run its operations, safety and infrastructure, and you coordinate space and equipment for every team on site. You’re also the link between the prototyping floor and engineering, turning what the team learns on the bench into better designs.

Your Daily Business

• Lead, coach and develop a team of R&D Engineers and technicians, setting priorities and planning builds so prototypes land on time
• Own the assembly of prototype units end to end, from mechanical build and electrical wiring to commissioning
• Take on the toughest mechatronic and electrical faults and build a structured troubleshooting culture across the team
• Partner with engineers and designers to plan builds, flag assembly and manufacturability issues early, and feed learnings back into the design
• Set the standard for build documentation, work instructions, tests and quality checks
• Own site safety across the R&D center: ESD protection, VDE‑compliant working practices, accident prevention regulations (UVV/DGUV) and regular safety briefings
• Own the operations of the Munich R&D center: facility, tooling, equipment, parts availability, maintenance and layout, coordinated across all teams on site

Base Qualifications

• Completed apprenticeship in Electrical Engineering or Mechatronics (e.g. Elektroniker/in, Mechatroniker/in), ideally with a Meister or staatlich geprüfter Techniker qualification, or a degree in a related field backed by substantial hands experience
• Several years of hands‑on experience in manufacturing or production environments, ideally including prototype builds, pilot series or production ramp‑ups
• Deep electrical expertise: schematics, wiring, control cabinets, measurement and fault finding
• Proven experience leading technicians and R&D Engineers or running a manufacturing or production team
• Strong working knowledge of ESD protection, VDE standards and occupational safety (UVV/DGUV)
• Calm, structured problem‑solving when the hardware doesn’t cooperate
• Proficient in English and German

Preferred Qualifications

• Qualification as Elektrofachkraft, or experience as verantwortliche Elektrofachkraft (VEFK)
• Experience bringing products from prototype into series production (NPI, Vorserie, ramp‑up)
• Background in special‑purpose machinery (Sondermaschinenbau), robotics or automation
• Hands‑on experience with PLC or motion control systems
• Familiarity with rapid prototyping workflows, 3D printing or mechanical assembly
• Experience setting up or managing workshop infrastructure

Our Offer

• Competitive Compensation: Competitive compensation package with stock options for full‑time employees.
• Work‑Life Balance: Regular team events, hybrid work setup, unlimited vacation days, and a corporate pension plan.
• Personal Development: Personal budget for training, in‑house trainings, and growth opportunities in a fast‑paced environment.
• Mobility: Monthly budget for mobility or other expenses, and a subsidized Dance Mobility Subscription for E-Bike/E-Moped.
• Well-Being: Discounted Urban Sports Club membership and Wellhub for a variety of well‑being offerings.