Freelance Manufacturing Engineer

Location: Munich, Germany (onsite / hybrid depending on site)
Contract: Freelance / Interim
Duration: 6-12 months (extension likely)
Start: ASAP

Overview

We are supporting a leading medical device manufacturer in Germany seeking an experienced Manufacturing Engineering Lead to drive operational performance, process optimisation, and technology initiatives across a high-volume production environment.

This role sits at the intersection of engineering and manufacturing operations, focusing on improving efficiency, scaling production, and ensuring regulatory-compliant processes.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and optimise end-to-end manufacturing processes, including injection moulding, assembly, and cleanroom production
• Drive process engineering improvements using Lean Six Sigma methodologies and data-led decision making
• Monitor and improve KPIs such as OEE, yield, scrap rate, and throughput
• Support industrialisation and scale-up of new and existing products into manufacturing
• Deliver continuous improvement initiatives (CIP), identifying cost-saving and efficiency gains
• Collaborate cross-functionally with Production, Quality, R&D, and Maintenance teams
• Ensure compliance with ISO 13485, GMP, and FDA regulations within a regulated environment
• Lead or support automation and digitalisation projects (Industry 4.0, IoT integration)
• Manage process validation and technical documentation where required
• Support layout optimisation, capacity planning, and equipment investment projects

Required Experience

• Proven experience in manufacturing engineering within medical devices, pharma, or highly regulated industries
• Strong expertise in process optimisation, Lean Manufacturing, and continuous improvement
• Experience working with KPIs (OEE, yield, scrap, throughput) and data-driven performance management
• Hands-on experience with production environments (e.g. cleanroom, plastics, electronics, or similar)
• Solid understanding of ISO 13485 / GMP / FDA regulations
• Experience supporting technology transfer, production scale-up, or process industrialisation
• Strong stakeholder management across engineering, operations, and quality

Desirable

• Experience with automation, digitalisation, or Industry 4.0 initiatives
• Background in injection moulding, plastics manufacturing, or semiconductor/electronics production
• Prior experience in interim / freelance assignments
• Knowledge of process validation (IQ/OQ/PQ)

Key Competencies

• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with a data-driven mindset
• Ability to drive change and operational improvements in complex environments
• Confident working in cross-functional, international teams
• Pragmatic, hands-on approach with a focus on delivery and measurable impact

This role will play a key role in optimising and scaling a regulated manufacturing opeartions.

If this is of interest to you and you have the necessary experience to hit the ground running in this project, please do not hesitate to apply.