Head (f/m/d) of Applied Engineering & Testing

A Snapshot of Your Day This role is established to lead the new Applied Engineering & Testing department, a critical function within the Innovation Center Berlin. The department's core mission is to bridge concepts to reality by building, testing, and validating early- to mid-stage technology demonstrators and enabling technologies. This position is responsible for creating a hands‑on, innovative, and experimental culture focused on fast learning, risk reduction, and proving what works. As a senior management role reporting to the Head of the Innovation Center, this position will define the department's strategy, build a world‑class team, and oversee all operational aspects. This includes directing complex engineering projects, managing advanced R&D lab facilities, and ensuring the seamless execution of experimental workflows. The leader will be accountable for establishing the essential technical capabilities required to support the center's innovation portfolio. The ideal candidate is an experienced leader with a strong background in managing R&D‑focused organizations. They must possess proven expertise in building and operating advanced laboratories, leading multidisciplinary technical teams, and translating strategic innovation goals into tangible, validated technology demonstrators.

How You’ll Make An Impact

40% Departmental Strategy & Leadership

• Define and implement the strategy for the Applied Engineering & Testing department, ensuring alignment with the overall Innovation Center Berlin roadmap and Siemens Energy strategic priorities
• Lead, mentor, and build a world‑class, multidisciplinary organization of engineers, scientists, technicians, and specialists responsible for delivering high quality experimental results and robust demonstrators
• Establish a culture rooted in safety, excellence, accountable learning, and rapid iteration
• Manage the departmental budget and resource allocation, communicating strategic plans and results to the Head of the Innovation Center
• Foster collaboration with other Innovation Center departments, business units, and ecosystem partners
• Establish performance metrics, deliverables, and development plans for the organization
• Communicate technical results, risks, opportunities, and recommendations to leadership and business partners
• Represent the department at internal reviews, cross center forums, and relevant industry or research events

30% Technology Demonstration & Experimental Validation

• Lead the strategic planning for building, operating, and continuously improving advanced R&D lab facilities and infrastructure
• Direct the end‑to‑end process of building, testing, and validating early- to mid‑stage technology demonstrators to bridge concepts to reality
• Ensure all engineering projects and testing activities meet scientific, quality, and safety standards while maintaining agility
• Collaborate with other innovation teams to provide essential technical expertise and validation services for R&D projects

30% World‑class R&D competence

• Develop and maintain world‑class competence in system‑level engineering domains such as Mechanical Engineering, Thermodynamics & Performance, Heat Transfer & Thermohydraulics, and AI/Data Science/Software Engineering
• Coordinate with Department Heads in other Siemens Energy Innovation Centers to ensure global alignment, shared standards, and talent pipelines
• Recruit, mentor, and lead senior technical experts and engineering talent
• Establish performance metrics, deliverables, and development plans for the organization

What You Bring

• Master’s degree in a relevant field (e.g., Engineering, Physics, Computer Science). Advanced degree (MBA, PhD) preferred
• 10+ years of experience in R&D, applied engineering, prototyping, or technology development
• 5+ years in a senior technical leadership role managing multidisciplinary, global engineering teams
• Proven experience in building, managing, or operating advanced R&D labs, test facilities, or experimental development environments
• Track record of delivering complex prototypes, validation programs, or system demonstrators as well as strong leadership and organizational management abilities
• Deep understanding of engineering fundamentals relevant to system‑level demonstrators
• Deep understanding of experimental design, instrumentation, data analysis, and validation workflows
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills
• Ability to drive clarity and execution in ambiguous technology spaces as well as high safety competence in advanced engineering environments

Rewards/Benefits

• In addition to an attractive remuneration package in line with the market, you can expect an attractive employer‑financed company pension scheme
• We also offer the opportunity to become a Siemens Energy shareholder
• We offer our employees the opportunity to work flexibly and remotely, and our inspiring offices provide space for collaboration and creativity
• The professional and personal development of our employees is very important to us. We provide them with opportunities to learn and develop in a self‑determined way, various attractive programmes and learning materials are available for this purpose
• In relation to the "compatibility of family and work", we have a wide range of offers, e.g. flexible working time models, childcare places at many locations, the possibility of trial part‑time work or even a sabbatical

We value equal opportunities and welcome applications from people with disabilities.