Senior R&D Teamlead (m/f/d)

We are seeking a highly motivated, results‑oriented, and experienced people leader to join us as Senior R&D Teamlead (m/f/d) and further strengthen the R&D leadership within the Business Unit (BU) Advanced Electrolytic Plating (AEP). In this pivotal role, you will lead an international R&D team (up to 6 employees), drive technical innovation across global markets, and ensure successful process development and implementation at our customers. You will collaborate closely with cross‑functional teams, champion scientific excellence within the BU, and shape strategies that enable sustainable business growth.

Your responsibilities

• Lead, develop, and inspire one of the two R&D teams within BU (Advanced Electrolytic Plating) AEP, ensuring clear priorities, strong team performance, and continuous development of your team members
• Take full ownership of R&D projects, including planning, executing, and evaluating experiments, and preparing high‑quality technical documentation and reports
• Troubleshoot and resolve process‑related challenges within your area of responsibility in close collaboration with cross‑functional stakeholders
• Collaborate across departments, including Chemical & Physical Characterization (CPC), other BUs, Equipment, and OEM teams, to align strategies and ensure long‑term business success
• Ensure full compliance with legal, regulatory, and internal standards, including strict confidentiality
• Develop concepts to increase efficiency in R&D, leveraging digitalization, AI tools, and automation

What you will bring to the table

• A master’s degree in chemistry (or a related field), ideally complemented by a doctoral degree
• Deep expertise in electrochemical metal deposition, ideally with experience in printed circuit board applications, and a strong passion for advancing cutting‑edge technologies
• Proven leadership excellence – you have successfully led scientific or technical teams, developed talent, and delivered measurable results through effective people management
• Strong communication skills, intercultural competence, and the ability to foster a collaborative, high‑performance environment
• A data‑driven mindset with the ability to analyze complex information using state‑of‑the‑art statistical tools, make confident decisions, and adapt with resilience in dynamic environments
• Fluent in English, German is a plus
• Flexibility and a global perspective, including willingness to travel internationally (approx. 15%)

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Globally, our policy is to recruit individuals from wide and diverse backgrounds. However, certain positions require access to controlled goods and technologies subject to various export control regulations.  Applicants for these positions may be limited (by, for example, their countries of citizenship, country of origin, or immigration status) where required by law or governmental contact, and/or employment made contingent upon the issuance of appropriate governmental licensing.

MKS Inc. and its affiliates and subsidiaries (“MKS”) is an affirmative action and equal opportunity employer: diverse candidates are encouraged to apply. We win as a team and are committed to recruiting and hiring qualified applicants regardless of race, color, national origin, sex (including pregnancy and pregnancy-related conditions), religion, age, ancestry, physical or mental disability or handicap, marital status, membership in the uniformed services, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, genetic information, or any other category protected by applicable law. Hiring decisions are based on merit, qualifications and business needs. We conduct background checks and drug screens, in accordance with applicable law and company policies.  MKS is generally only hiring candidates who reside in states where we are registered to do business.

MKS is committed to working with and providing reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities. If you need a reasonable accommodation during the application or interview process due to a disability, please contact us at: accommodationsatMKS@mksinst.com .

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