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

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.