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Senior Project Manager & System Engineer (f/m/x)

ZEISS Group · Jena

Jena · On-siteFull-TimePosted Feb 3, 2026

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Job description

The SPU is the joint production unit of ZEISS. We produce key components for our ZEISS segments and are thus the enabler and hand of the pioneer ZEISS. With us, creative ideas are reliably implemented.

Your Role

We are seeking a highly motivated and experienced Sr. Project Manager & System Engineer to join our team within the ZEISS Shared Production Unit. In this role, you will be responsible for liaising with the R&D, product management and operations functions of our ZEISS internal customers (ZEISS Strategic Business Units) to work towards early involvement in their R&D projects for optical systems. When involved you will consult them, how to minimize COGS. In addition to that you will initiate, set-up and lead projects in the Shared Production Unit to deliver against customer requirements, e.g. COGS down projects, R&D projects, product launches / phase outs, ramp-ups / downs etc. You will take responsibility for the successful execution of these projects in alignment with customer expectations and act as go-to person for ZEISS internal customers.

Your Responsibilities as System Engineer

Using your expert knowledge of optical system design, you liaise with R&D, product management and operations function of ZEISS strategic business units and Corporate Research & Technology and work towards early involvement in their R&D projects

When involved in R&D projects you will suggest design tweaks to minimize COGS if the system is manufactured in the Shared Production Unit

You work towards understanding customer’s technical requirements and act as “technical voice of the customer” within the Shared Production Unit and shape its production technology roadmap to align with customer needs Your Responsibilities as Project Manager

You will initiate, scope, structure and lead technical projects, such as R&D projects, product launches / phase outs, COGS down initiatives, quotations, ROM cost estimates, etc. together with ZEISS internal customers and the operations & R&D team of the Shared Production Unit

Be the go-to person for these projects, i.e take responsibility for the successful delivery of these projects and represent the projects to customers

Manage these projects to ensure successful delivery

Your Profile

An academical degree with excellent final grades in (Applied) Physics, Optical Engineering or a similar field – A PhD is preferred

7+ years of total work experience in research & development, production engineering or project manager roles

Many years of experience in optical systems design, ideally DUV objective lenses or optical metrology equipment

Many years of experience in project management in R&D, operations or sales environment

Ideally some experience in production processes for optical components, coatings or metrology equipment for adjustment of DUV projection systems but not a must

Experience with prototyping and production launches of optical illumination & projection systems

Deep knowledge of optical design and modeling methods for imaging and illumination systems as well as tolerance analysis

Knowledge of manufacturing processes for optical components – mechanical components is a plus

Knowledge of assembly and adjustment processes for projection systems and required metrology

Knowledge of project management methods

Strong lateral leadership

Fluent in English and German

Your ZEISS Recruiting Team: Lisa-Marie Alex

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