Program Manager (XXL projects) (f/m/x) @ Carl ZEISS Extended Reality (XRX)

Step out of your comfort zone, excel and redefine the limits of what is possible. That's just what our employees are doing every single day – in order to set the pace through our innovations and enable outstanding achievements. After all, behind every successful company are many great fascinating people.

In a spacious modern setting full of opportunities for further development, ZEISS employees work in a place where expert knowledge and team spirit reign supreme. All of this is supported by a special ownership structure and the long-term goal of the Carl Zeiss Foundation: to bring science and society into the future together.

Join us today. Inspire people tomorrow.

Diversity is a part of ZEISS. We look forward to receiving your application regardless of gender, nationality, ethnic and social origin, religion, philosophy of life, disability, age, sexual orientation or identity.

Apply now! It takes less than 10 minutes.

• Lead cross‑functional development programs for optical and optomechanical systems from concept through industrialization, ensuring delivery on scope, time, quality, and budget.
• Define and maintain integrated program plans (milestones, resources, risks, dependencies) in close alignment with R&D, Product Management, Operations, Quality, and Procurement.
• Act as central interface between internal stakeholders and, where applicable, customers or external partners, ensuring clear requirements, transparent communication, and efficient decision‑making.
• Proactively identify, assess, and mitigate program risks and issues, establish escalation paths, and drive structured problem‑solving.
• Monitor program KPIs and financials, prepare status reports for management, and ensure compliance with ZEISS processes, standards, and regulatory requirements.
• Drive continuous improvement in program management methods, tools, and governance within the optical department and contribute to best‑practice sharing across teams

• University degree in engineering, physics, optics, or a related technical field; additional qualification in project/program management is a plus.
• Several years of experience managing complex, multidisciplinary development projects or programs, ideally involving optical or optoelectronic systems.
• Strong understanding of product development processes (from requirements and system design to validation and industrialization) in a high‑tech or MedTech/B2B environment.
• Proven ability to lead and influence cross‑functional teams without direct authority, with strong stakeholder and conflict‑management skills.
• Structured and analytical working style, experienced in planning, risk management, and the use of project management tools and KPIs.
• High level of ownership, resilience, and decision‑making capability, combined with a collaborative, solution‑oriented mindset.
• Very good communication skills in English; German is a strong advantage, as well as the willingness to work in an international, cross‑site environment.