# Head of Manufacturing Engineering (all genders) [Skdse](https://gurify.com/jobs?q=Skdse) · Germany · Posted 4 weeks ago Director [Apply on the original posting → (opens in a new tab)](https://job-boards.eu.greenhouse.io/skdse/jobs/4990890101-88) ## Job description At Stark, we forge the future of European and national security through cutting-edge, AI-driven technology and unmatched engineering precision. As a premier defence technology company, our mission is clear: to equip NATO Allies and their partners with next-generation autonomous defence platforms and advanced AI-driven software built to perform in the world’s most demanding environments. We believe that true security stems from relentless innovation. By combining elite engineering talent with agile technology and an AI-native operational culture, Stark turns complex defence challenges into field-tested, multi-domain solutions. ### WHY JOIN US - The software and systems you work on directly protect personnel and defend European and national sovereignty. - You will work alongside industry-leading minds on autonomous systems, advanced propulsion, and secure cyber platforms. - We foster a fast-paced, collaborative environment where bold ideas are supported by serious R&D backing. ### ABOUT THE TEAM You will join a highly dedicated and collaborative manufacturing engineering team working closely with R&D, production, automation, and operations. The team is made up of experienced, hands-on people who are passionate about turning complex designs into scalable, efficient, and reliable production systems. ### YOUR MISSION We are seeking a visionary and collaborative Manufacturing Engineering Manager to bridge the gap between innovation and execution. In this role, you will lead the transition of next-generation products from concept to high-volume production. You will work at the critical intersection of R&D and operations, guiding the industrialization process, developing cutting-edge production workflows, and collaborating with R&D engineers early in the design cycle to ensure products are optimized for automated manufacturing. If you thrive on turning complex designs into scalable, automated, and efficient production realities, we want you on our team. ### WHAT YOU WILL DO AT STARK ### R&D Collaboration & Design for Automation - Early-Stage Partnership: Partner closely with R&D teams during the prototyping phase to provide manufacturing feasibility feedback. - Design for Excellence (DFX): Act as the champion for Design for Manufacturing (DFM) and Design for Assembly (DFA), specifically guiding R&D to define product designs that lend themselves seamlessly to automated assembly. • Standardization: Establish design guidelines that standardize components and processes, reducing manufacturing complexity and cost. Vendor & Capital Equipment Management - Technical Specifications: Define technical requirements and author comprehensive Requests for Proposals (RFPs) and functional specifications for custom automation equipment, robotics, and tooling. - Vendor Selection & Evaluation: Scout, evaluate, and select world-class equipment vendors and automation system integrators based on capability, scalability, cost, and lead times. - Milestone & Budget Tracking: Act as the primary point of contact for external vendors, managing capital expenditure (CapEx) budgets and tracking project timelines to ensure machinery is delivered on schedule for product launches. - Acceptance Testing (FAT/SAT): Lead Factory Acceptance Testing (FAT) at vendor facilities and Site Acceptance Testing (SAT) upon factory installation to guarantee equipment meets all cycle time, yield, and safety standards. - SLA & Lifecycle Management: Establish Service Level Agreements (SLAs), warranty terms, and preventative maintenance/spare-parts strategies with vendors to ensure long-term equipment reliability. ### Industrialization - Prototype to Scale: Oversee the build of pilot lines, identify scaling bottlenecks, and smoothly transition products from low-volume prototyping to mass production. - Risk Mitigation: Conduct Design/Process Failure Mode and Effects Analysis (DFMEA/PFMEA) to identify and mitigate risks early in the product lifecycle. ### Process Development & Optimization - Workflow Design: Design, implement, and continuously improve production layouts, material flows, and line balances. - Automation Strategy: Identify opportunities for automation, robotics, and smart manufacturing (Industry 4.0) integration on the production floor. - Documentation & Compliance: Oversee the creation of detailed manufacturing documentation, including standard operating procedures (SOPs), work instructions, and routing sheets. ### Team Leadership & Management - Team Development: Lead, mentor, and grow a high-performing team of manufacturing and process engineers. - KPI Management: Define and track team metrics, including cycle times, first-pass yield (FPY), overall equipment effectiveness (OEE), and capital expenditure (CapEx) budgets. ### WHAT YOU BRING - Education: Bachelor’s degree in Manufacturing Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Industrial Engineering, or a related technical field (Master's or MBA is a plus). - Experience: 5+ years of experience in manufacturing engineering, with at least 2+ years in a leadership or managerial capacity. - NPI Expertise: Proven track record of successfully launching new products into production, specifically working side-by-side with R&D teams. - Automation Savvy: Deep understanding of automated assembly processes, robotics, PLC programming, or vision systems, and how product design choices impact automation feasibility. - Technical Arsenal: Strong proficiency in CAD software (e.g., SolidWorks, Creo), Lean Manufacturing principles, Six Sigma methodologies, and PFMEA execution. - Soft Skills: Exceptional cross-functional communication and negotiation skills—ability to speak the "language" of both abstract R&D and practical factory operations. ### NMICE TO HAVE - You have experience with high-volume manufacturing environments and the industrialization of complex hardware products. - You have experience working with automation system integrators, robotics, or custom production equipment. - You have exposure to Industry 4.0, smart manufacturing, or advanced factory digitalization initiatives. - You have experience managing CapEx projects and equipment installations from specification through FAT/SAT and production ramp-up. If you're interested in building the future of European Defence with us, and you see yourself reflected on the description above, please send us your CV in English. We're looking forward to meeting you! ### SECURITY CLEARANCE Due to the nature of our work in the defence sector, candidates must be eligible to obtain and maintain the appropriate security clearance required for this position. Details will be provided during the recruitment process. ### EQUAL OPPORTUNITY We are an equal-opportunity employer committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, colour, religion, sex, national origin, disability, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law. ### DATA PRIVACY STATEMENT This data privacy statement, which refers exclusively to data collected as part of the online application process, is to inform you about how your personal data that is collected as part of the online application process is handled at our end. ### The controller ### The controller under data protection law is: ### SKD SE ### Französische Strasse 12, 10117 Berlin ### Commercial register entry number: HRB 260878 ### Registration Court: Amtsgericht Charlottenburg Data Protection officer: heyData GmbH, Schützenstraße 5, 10117 Berlin, www.heydata.eu, datenschutz@heydata.eu ### Personal data collected as part of the application process Personal data means any information concerning the personal or material circumstances of an identified or identifiable individual. This includes information such as, for example, your name, address, telephone number and date of birth, but also data relating to your specific career etc. by reference to which a specific individual can be identified with reasonable effort. However, information which cannot be (in)directly associated with your real-life identity is not personal data. Fundamentals and purposes of processing personal data collected from application documents and during the application process If you apply to us electronically, i.e. via e-mail or using our online form, we will collect and process your personal data for the purpose of executing the application process and preparing contracts. By submitting an application via our recruitment website, you express your interest in taking up work with us. In this context, you transmit personal data, which we will use and store exclusively for the purpose of your job search / application process. In particular, the following data is collected during this process: - name (first and last names) - e-mail address - phone number - LinkedIn profile (optional) - channel through which you found us Furthermore, you can choose to upload expressive documents such as a cover letter, your CV and reference letters. These may contain additional personal data such as date of birth, address etc. Only authorized HR staff and/or staff involved in the application process have access to your data. The personal data is stored, as a rule, exclusively for the purpose of filling the vacancy for which you have applied. Your data will be stored for a period of 180 days after the application process has been concluded. This is usually done to fulfill legal requirements and/or defending ourselves against any claims arising from legal provisions. After this period, we are obligated to delete or anonymize your data. In case of anonymization, the data will only be available to us in the form of so-called metadata, without any direct personal reference, for statistical analysis (for example, share of male and/or female applicants, number of applications per specified period of time etc.). Furthermore, we reserve the right to store your data for 180 days after the application process h **Live in Skdse’s hiring system.** Read from the company's own applicant tracking system, not reposted from a job board — so it's a real, open requisition rather than an ad that outlived the role. 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As a premier defence technology company, our mission is clear: to equip NATO Allies and their partners with next-generation autonomous defence platforms and advanced AI-driven software built to perform in the world\u2019s most demanding environments.\u003C/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EWe believe that true security stems from relentless innovation. By combining elite engineering talent with agile technology and an AI-native operational culture, Stark turns complex defence challenges into field-tested, multi-domain solutions.\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ch3\u003EWHY JOIN US\u003C/h3\u003E\u003Cul\u003E\u003Cli\u003EThe software and systems you work on directly protect personnel and defend European and national sovereignty.\u003C/li\u003E\u003C/ul\u003E\u003Cul\u003E\u003Cli\u003EYou will work alongside industry-leading minds on autonomous systems, advanced propulsion, and secure cyber platforms.\u003C/li\u003E\u003C/ul\u003E\u003Cul\u003E\u003Cli\u003EWe foster a fast-paced, collaborative environment where bold ideas are supported by serious R\u0026amp;D backing.\u003C/li\u003E\u003C/ul\u003E\u003Ch3\u003EABOUT THE TEAM\u003C/h3\u003E\u003Cp\u003EYou will join a highly dedicated and collaborative manufacturing engineering team working closely with R\u0026amp;D, production, automation, and operations. The team is made up of experienced, hands-on people who are passionate about turning complex designs into scalable, efficient, and reliable production systems.\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ch3\u003EYOUR MISSION\u003C/h3\u003E\u003Cp\u003EWe are seeking a visionary and collaborative Manufacturing Engineering Manager to bridge the gap between innovation and execution. In this role, you will lead the transition of next-generation products from concept to high-volume production.\u003C/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EYou will work at the critical intersection of R\u0026amp;D and operations, guiding the industrialization process, developing cutting-edge production workflows, and collaborating with R\u0026amp;D engineers early in the design cycle to ensure products are optimized for automated manufacturing. If you thrive on turning complex designs into scalable, automated, and efficient production realities, we want you on our team.\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ch3\u003EWHAT YOU WILL DO AT STARK\u003C/h3\u003E\u003Ch3\u003ER\u0026amp;D Collaboration \u0026amp; Design for Automation\u003C/h3\u003E\u003Cul\u003E\u003Cli\u003EEarly-Stage Partnership: Partner closely with R\u0026amp;D teams during the prototyping phase to provide manufacturing feasibility feedback.\u003C/li\u003E\u003C/ul\u003E\u003Cul\u003E\u003Cli\u003EDesign for Excellence (DFX): Act as the champion for Design for Manufacturing (DFM) and Design for Assembly (DFA), specifically guiding R\u0026amp;D to define product designs that lend themselves seamlessly to automated assembly.\u003C/li\u003E\u003C/ul\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u2022 Standardization: Establish design guidelines that standardize components and processes, reducing manufacturing complexity and cost.\u003Cbr /\u003EVendor \u0026amp; Capital Equipment Management\u003C/p\u003E\u003Cul\u003E\u003Cli\u003ETechnical Specifications: Define technical requirements and author comprehensive Requests for Proposals (RFPs) and functional specifications for custom automation equipment, robotics, and tooling.\u003C/li\u003E\u003C/ul\u003E\u003Cul\u003E\u003Cli\u003EVendor Selection \u0026amp; Evaluation: Scout, evaluate, and select world-class equipment vendors and automation system integrators based on capability, scalability, cost, and lead times.\u003C/li\u003E\u003C/ul\u003E\u003Cul\u003E\u003Cli\u003EMilestone \u0026amp; Budget Tracking: Act as the primary point of contact for external vendors, managing capital expenditure (CapEx) budgets and tracking project timelines to ensure machinery is delivered on schedule for product launches.\u003C/li\u003E\u003C/ul\u003E\u003Cul\u003E\u003Cli\u003EAcceptance Testing (FAT/SAT): Lead Factory Acceptance Testing (FAT) at vendor facilities and Site Acceptance Testing (SAT) upon factory installation to guarantee equipment meets all cycle time, yield, and safety standards.\u003C/li\u003E\u003C/ul\u003E\u003Cul\u003E\u003Cli\u003ESLA \u0026amp; Lifecycle Management: Establish Service Level Agreements (SLAs), warranty terms, and preventative maintenance/spare-parts strategies with vendors to ensure long-term equipment reliability.\u003C/li\u003E\u003C/ul\u003E\u003Ch3\u003EIndustrialization\u003C/h3\u003E\u003Cul\u003E\u003Cli\u003EPrototype to Scale: Oversee the build of pilot lines, identify scaling bottlenecks, and smoothly transition products from low-volume prototyping to mass production.\u003C/li\u003E\u003C/ul\u003E\u003Cul\u003E\u003Cli\u003ERisk Mitigation: Conduct Design/Process Failure Mode and Effects Analysis (DFMEA/PFMEA) to identify and mitigate risks early in the product lifecycle.\u003C/li\u003E\u003C/ul\u003E\u003Ch3\u003EProcess Development \u0026amp; Optimization\u003C/h3\u003E\u003Cul\u003E\u003Cli\u003EWorkflow Design: Design, implement, and continuously improve production layouts, material flows, and line balances.\u003C/li\u003E\u003C/ul\u003E\u003Cul\u003E\u003Cli\u003EAutomation Strategy: Identify opportunities for automation, robotics, and smart manufacturing (Industry 4.0) integration on the production floor.\u003C/li\u003E\u003C/ul\u003E\u003Cul\u003E\u003Cli\u003EDocumentation \u0026amp; Compliance: Oversee the creation of detailed manufacturing documentation, including standard operating procedures (SOPs), work instructions, and routing sheets.\u003C/li\u003E\u003C/ul\u003E\u003Ch3\u003ETeam Leadership \u0026amp; Management\u003C/h3\u003E\u003Cul\u003E\u003Cli\u003ETeam Development: Lead, mentor, and grow a high-performing team of manufacturing and process engineers.\u003C/li\u003E\u003C/ul\u003E\u003Cul\u003E\u003Cli\u003EKPI Management: Define and track team metrics, including cycle times, first-pass yield (FPY), overall equipment effectiveness (OEE), and capital expenditure (CapEx) budgets.\u003C/li\u003E\u003C/ul\u003E\u003Ch3\u003EWHAT YOU BRING\u003C/h3\u003E\u003Cul\u003E\u003Cli\u003EEducation: Bachelor\u2019s degree in Manufacturing Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Industrial Engineering, or a related technical field (Master\u0026#39;s or MBA is a plus).\u003C/li\u003E\u003C/ul\u003E\u003Cul\u003E\u003Cli\u003EExperience: 5\u002B years of experience in manufacturing engineering, with at least 2\u002B years in a leadership or managerial capacity.\u003C/li\u003E\u003C/ul\u003E\u003Cul\u003E\u003Cli\u003ENPI Expertise: Proven track record of successfully launching new products into production, specifically working side-by-side with R\u0026amp;D teams.\u003C/li\u003E\u003C/ul\u003E\u003Cul\u003E\u003Cli\u003EAutomation Savvy: Deep understanding of automated assembly processes, robotics, PLC programming, or vision systems, and how product design choices impact automation feasibility.\u003C/li\u003E\u003C/ul\u003E\u003Cul\u003E\u003Cli\u003ETechnical Arsenal: Strong proficiency in CAD software (e.g., SolidWorks, Creo), Lean Manufacturing principles, Six Sigma methodologies, and PFMEA execution.\u003C/li\u003E\u003C/ul\u003E\u003Cul\u003E\u003Cli\u003ESoft Skills: Exceptional cross-functional communication and negotiation skills\u2014ability to speak the \u0026quot;language\u0026quot; of both abstract R\u0026amp;D and practical factory operations.\u003C/li\u003E\u003C/ul\u003E\u003Ch3\u003ENMICE TO HAVE\u003C/h3\u003E\u003Cul\u003E\u003Cli\u003EYou have experience with high-volume manufacturing environments and the industrialization of complex hardware products.\u003C/li\u003E\u003C/ul\u003E\u003Cul\u003E\u003Cli\u003EYou have experience working with automation system integrators, robotics, or custom production equipment.\u003C/li\u003E\u003C/ul\u003E\u003Cul\u003E\u003Cli\u003EYou have exposure to Industry 4.0, smart manufacturing, or advanced factory digitalization initiatives.\u003C/li\u003E\u003C/ul\u003E\u003Cul\u003E\u003Cli\u003EYou have experience managing CapEx projects and equipment installations from specification through FAT/SAT and production ramp-up.\u003C/li\u003E\u003C/ul\u003E\u003Cp\u003EIf you\u0026#39;re interested in building the future of European Defence with us, and you see yourself reflected on the description above, please send us your CV in English. We\u0026#39;re looking forward to meeting you!\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ch3\u003ESECURITY CLEARANCE\u003C/h3\u003E\u003Cp\u003EDue to the nature of our work in the defence sector, candidates must be eligible to obtain and maintain the appropriate security clearance required for this position. Details will be provided during the recruitment process.\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ch3\u003EEQUAL OPPORTUNITY\u003C/h3\u003E\u003Cp\u003EWe are an equal-opportunity employer committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, colour, religion, sex, national origin, disability, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ch3\u003EDATA PRIVACY STATEMENT\u003C/h3\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThis data privacy statement, which refers exclusively to data collected as part of the online application process, is to inform you about how your personal data that is collected as part of the online application process is handled at our end.\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ch3\u003EThe controller\u003C/h3\u003E\u003Ch3\u003EThe controller under data protection law is:\u003C/h3\u003E\u003Ch3\u003ESKD SE\u003C/h3\u003E\u003Ch3\u003EFranz\u0026#246;sische Strasse 12, 10117 Berlin\u003C/h3\u003E\u003Ch3\u003ECommercial register entry number: HRB 260878\u003C/h3\u003E\u003Ch3\u003ERegistration Court: Amtsgericht Charlottenburg\u003C/h3\u003E\u003Cp\u003EData Protection officer: heyData GmbH, Sch\u0026#252;tzenstra\u0026#223;e 5, 10117 Berlin, www.heydata.eu, datenschutz@heydata.eu\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ch3\u003EPersonal data collected as part of the application process\u003C/h3\u003E\u003Cp\u003EPersonal data means any information concerning the personal or material circumstances of an identified or identifiable individual. This includes information such as, for example, your name, address, telephone number and date of birth, but also data relating to your specific career etc. by reference to which a specific individual can be identified with reasonable effort. However, information which cannot be (in)directly associated with your real-life identity is not personal data.\u003C/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EFundamentals and purposes of processing personal data collected from application documents and during the application process\u003C/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EIf you apply to us electronically, i.e. via e-mail or using our online form, we will collect and process your personal data for the purpose of executing the application process and preparing contracts.\u003C/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EBy submitting an application via our recruitment website, you express your interest in taking up work with us. 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These may contain additional personal data such as date of birth, address etc.\u003C/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EOnly authorized HR staff and/or staff involved in the application process have access to your data.\u003C/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe personal data is stored, as a rule, exclusively for the purpose of filling the vacancy for which you have applied.\u003C/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EYour data will be stored for a period of 180 days after the application process has been concluded. This is usually done to fulfill legal requirements and/or defending ourselves against any claims arising from legal provisions. After this period, we are obligated to delete or anonymize your data. 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