Senior R&D Manager (m/w/d)

Responsibilities

• Provide technical expertise and collaborate with research and development teams.
• Support employees through technical coaching, individual development planning, and contributions to fair and transparent performance management.
• Plan departmental resources and technical capabilities, including laboratories, testing infrastructure, and workshop facilities.
• Develop and continuously improve characterization, testing, simulation, and development methods.
• Identify and prioritize investment needs for scientific and technical equipment and coordinate implementation in accordance with applicable approval processes.
• Develop the technical aspects of technology and innovation projects and support materials and product development through characterization, data analysis, and modelling.
• Analyse the relationships between metal processing, microstructure, and material properties in collaboration with development and application teams.
• Coordinate the technical aspects of cross-functional projects and align priorities with R&D, production, commercial functions, and other relevant departments.
• Define technical requirements and standards for materials and products together with customers and internal partners.
• Build and maintain professional networks with internal and external technical experts and research partners.
• Provide technical support during organizational changes, particularly the department’s relocation to Troisdorf and the introduction of digitally supported ways of working.
• Contribute to reviewing and developing departmental structures, responsibilities, and collaboration practices in line with business requirements and applicable internal processes.

Requirements

What you can expect:

• Strong expertise or a PhD in materials science, metallurgy, or another technical or engineering discipline relevant to the role.
• Extensive project experience in the metals industry, including team leadership, alongside a sound understanding of production and processing.
• Proven ability to lead and develop people.
• Knowledge of aluminium processing, microstructure, and material properties is desirable. Relevant expertise in other metals, including steel or copper, is also welcome.
• Experience with data analysis, statistics, modelling, or digital and AI-supported methods is an advantage.
• Ability to communicate technical and organizational topics clearly and collaborate effectively across different functions.
• Strong organizational and project coordination skills, including the ability to manage competing priorities.
• Ability to support teams through organizational and technological change.
• German language skills sufficient for day-to-day workplace communication, alongside very good English skills for technical discussions and collaboration with international stakeholders.
• Willingness to undertake occasional business travel.
• Workload: 4-5 days a week
• Initial contract: 5 months
• Project location: 3 days per week on-site and 1–2 days remote; on-site location to be discussed
• Hourly rate: To be discussed

Project details

• Start: ab sofort
• Duration: 5 Monate
• Remote: hybrid
• Location: Hamburg, Deutschland, DE
• Languages: German