Team Lead Production Systems (Engineering) (all genders)

tonies® Düsseldorf

Stellenbeschreibung:

Team Lead, Production Systems (Engineering)

Apply for the Team Lead, Production Systems (Engineering) (all genders) role at tonies® .

About tonies

tonies is the globally leading interactive audio platform for children, with more than 10 million Tonieboxes and 125 million Tonies sold worldwide. The intuitive, award‑winning audio system enables children to play and learn independently with a child‑safe, wireless, and screen‑free approach. toner boxes are deployed in over 100 countries, and the content portfolio includes roughly 1,400 Tonies in multiple languages. tonies has achieved significant milestones, including a listing on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange in November 2021, and operates from various countries with a globally present team of over 550 dedicated professionals.

Role Overview

Role Split: 60% Leadership / 40% Technical
Team Size (Direct Reports): 6 (growing to 10 by the end of 2026)

We are looking for a Team Lead who wants to build, lead, and scale the engineering team behind the production technology ecosystem that powers millions of tonies products worldwide. You will be responsible for the overall architecture, reliability, and continuous improvement of the production systems and data pipelines that are used for our global Tonie and Toniebox manufacturing operations on all production lines at our contract manufacturers.

Responsibilities

Leadership & Team Development
- Lead, mentor, and grow a cross‑functional engineering team (software engineers, SRE, system engineers).
- Drive sprint planning, resourcing, prioritization, and delivery.
- Build a culture of ownership, accountability, and continuous improvement.
- Provide coaching, technical guidance, and development support.
Technical Ownership & Architecture
- Lead architectural decisions across all production and product data processing.
- Ensure reliability, security, observability, and scalability of production systems.
- Define engineering standards, documentation practices, and quality guidelines.
- Oversee deployments, testing, and validation at global manufacturing partners.
Manufacturing Technology & System Rollouts
- Own system rollouts and upgrades at suppliers and contract manufacturers.
- Ensure stable integrations, production readiness, and smooth handovers.
- Support production scaling for new product launches and peak cycles.
Cross‑Functional Collaboration
- Partner closely with other stakeholders at tonies who handle product engineering, production management, and the cloud systems that enable our products.
- Translate operational and business requirements into scalable technical solutions.
- Align roadmap priorities with product launches, factory needs, and global operations.
Delivery & System Reliability
- Own uptime targets, data quality, and continuous improvement of global production systems.
- Drive root‑cause analysis and long‑term fixes (not firefighting).
- Support rollout milestones and ensure smooth global operations.

Success Metrics / KPIs

System uptime & reliability (≥ 99%)
On‑time delivery of roadmap & manufacturing rollouts
Code quality, documentation level, and engineering standards
Team performance: engagement, clarity, and predictable delivery
Reduction of recurring incidents or manual work for production

Qualifications

5+ years of engineering experience (backend or systems).
2+ years leading engineering or cross‑functional technical teams.
Strong backend engineering experience.
Experience with system‑level data flows, distributed systems, or manufacturing/IoT environments.
Strong communication skills and ability to collaborate across technical and operational teams.

Preferred Qualifications (Nice to Have)

Experience with MES/MOM, IoT, or manufacturing systems.
Infrastructure, DevOps, or SRE experience.
Strong Linux systems knowledge.
Knowledge of factory automation, hardware–software interfaces, or industrial protocols.
Experience working with remote engineering teams.

Tech Stack You Will Work With

Python, Django REST
PostgreSQL
Linux (Debian)
Virtualization (Proxmox, Docker)
MQTT or message brokers
GitHub, CI/CD
ETL pipelines, observability tooling
I/O devices like cameras, printers, and RFID readers

Why tonies?

Learning & Growth: In this role you will learn how to scale a globally deployed production execution ecosystem end‑to‑end, build digital‑physical production systems used across multiple factories and regions, and lead engineering transformation in a fast‑growing consumer hardware company.
Global Teamwork: We collaborate across departmental and country borders on our vision to bring the Toniebox into every child’s room in the world.
Come as you are: This applies not only to the dress code but also to everything else. Because only where you truly feel comfortable can you give your best.
Mobility: Choose the option that suits you best – a Deutschlandticket (public transport ticket) for unlimited mobility, a monthly contribution for an office parking space, a leasing bicycle, or a remote work subsidy.
Enhanced Security: Benefit from subsidies for company pension plans, occupational pension schemes, and occupational disability insurance.
Rest & Time Off: Enjoy 30 days of paid annual leave as well as three additional days off such as Rosenmontag, Christmas Eve, and New Year’s Eve. After one year of employment, you can also use up to 10 "toniecation days" (unpaid leave days).
Continuous Learning: Benefit from our internal and external training opportunities as well as an individual learning budget to continuously expand your knowledge.
Language Learning & Relaxation: Improve your communication skills with the language learning app Babbel and find relaxation through our access to the meditation app Calm.
Discounts: Benefit from attractive discounts on our entire range of tonies products.

Good to know

Our team collaborates via Slack, Google Suite, Jira, and Confluence, with daily stand‑ups and bi‑weekly sprints. Optional in‑person events include All Hands, workshops, and seasonal team gatherings.

Hiring Process

Recruiter Screen (30 min)
Hiring Manager Video Interview (60 min)
Technical & Collaboration Interview (60 min)

Process notes

The recruitment process for this role may be conducted in English. We kindly ask that application documents and written responses be submitted in English.
Only candidates with demonstrated relevant technical expertise and team leadership experience will be shortlisted, as both are essential for success in this role.
The annual salary for this position is maximum €90,000 depending on experience.
Closing date for applications: 7th December.

EEO Statement

As part of our principles, we are committed to supporting inclusion and diversity at tonies®. We actively celebrate our colleagues’ different abilities, ethnicities, faith, and gender. Everyone is welcome and supported in their development at all stages in their journey with us.