Head of Engineering

Head of Engineering

Key responsibilities

• Build & Maintain a New Production Facility: Scale our food production 10x. We’ve successfully launched across all national German supermarkets. Now we need to scale production 10x-20x in 12 months. Your challenge: build a new automated production facility from the ground up. Design, develop and deploy Germany’s most advanced food production line. Lead equipment selection, site buildout, and full automation integration.
• Technical Project Leadership: Lead and manage complex engineering projects spanning mechanical, electrical, and automation engineering. Navigate seamlessly between high-level concept development and strategic planning to hands-on technical problem-solving and detailed implementation tasks as the project needs demand.
• Cross-Functional Project Management: Manage large-scale engineering projects with external contactors and suppliers from conception through production deployment, coordinating with R&D, operations, quality assurance, regulatory, and supply chain teams. Facilitate effective communication between technical teams and business stakeholders. Manage communication between food scientists, mechanical engineers and external stakeholders. Lead an 8-person in-house engineering team for machine development and integration. Drive rapid prototyping of new technologies, manage deployment and innovation initiatives.
• Resource Planning & Allocation: Develop comprehensive resource plans for engineering projects, including budget forecasting, headcount planning, and equipment procurement. Optimize resource utilization across multiple concurrent projects while managing competing priorities.
• Risk Management & Mitigation: Identify, assess, and develop mitigation strategies for technical, operational, and business risks across engineering projects. Implement robust project controls and reporting mechanisms to ensure early detection and resolution of issues.
• Team Development & Performance: Build and lead high-performing engineering project management teams. Provide mentoring, establish clear performance metrics, and create career development pathways for all team members.

Requirements

• Professional Experience: 10 years of mechanical engineering experience in automated manufacturing with at least 5 years in leadership roles managing mechanical, electrical and controls/software engineering, and/or automation engineering teams. Proven track record in food technology or advanced manufacturing environments with automated systems.
• Educational Background: Master’s degree in Electrical or Mechatronics Engineering, with strong foundation in machine design, materials science, and automation systems.
• Technical Skills: Proficiency in CAD software (SolidWorks, AutoCAD), electrical and controls software, specifically EPLAN, Beckhoff and Siemens, mechanical simulation tools, and design for manufacturing principles. Experience with precision machinery design, material selection, and mechanical system optimization for high-volume production environments. Experience in critical hygiene environments, and equipment design requirements for hygienic manufacturing. Understanding of applicable safety and technical standards including VDE100, DGUV V3, EU Machinery Directive, EN 60204-1, and related industrial compliance requirements
• Leadership and Collaboration: Demonstrated ability to lead cross-functional teams, align diverse stakeholders, and communicate effectively across levels.
• Operational Agility: A proactive, solutions-oriented mindset with the ability to adapt quickly in a fast-paced, dynamic startup environment.
• Language Proficiency: Fluency in English and German, with excellent written and verbal communication skills.