Full-Time
Project Manager Operational Excellence
Werk Jena
Updated on 8/7/2026
Zeiss
1,001-5,000 employees
Corporate venture capital for deep-tech startups
No salary listed
Jena, Germany
In Person
Bachelor's
 Business & Strategy (1) |
|---|
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- Completed degree in industrial engineering, mechanical engineering, business administration with a technical focus, or equivalent training.
- Practical experience in production optimization, technical controlling, and supporting cultural transformation processes.
- Strong project management skills and the ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously.
- Proficiency with analytical tools and optimization methods such as Lean Management, Six Sigma, or value stream analysis.
- Strong understanding of complex data structures and solid knowledge of Power BI and Microsoft PowerPoint for preparing and presenting decision documents.
- Confident communication at management level and the ability to present complex matters appropriately for the audience and facilitate change processes.
- Systematically analyze and evaluate cost-driver structures in manufacturing to create maximum transparency.
- Identify cost-reduction opportunities through process optimization, material alternatives, or more efficient use of resources.
- Design and create long-term roadmaps for Cost Down initiatives to strategically manage long-term competitiveness.
- Independently lead or provide methodological support for cross-functional projects aimed at sustainably reducing manufacturing costs.
- Continuously monitor ongoing Cost Down initiatives and regularly report milestones and savings results to executive management.
- Coordinate and collaborate closely with the Production, Purchasing, Engineering, and Sales departments.
ZEISS Ventures is the corporate venture capital arm of the ZEISS Group, investing in deep-tech startups in Information Technology, Industrial Tech, MedTech, and Life Sciences. It backs early-stage companies at pre-Series A to Series A with typical investments of $1–5 million. The fund provides capital and tailored funding solutions, leveraging ZEISS’s global network and optics/optoelectronics expertise to support portfolio companies. Its goal is to accelerate the development of new technologies and business models that complement ZEISS’s portfolio while actively engaging with external innovation.
Company Size
1,001-5,000
Company Stage
Growth Equity (Non-Venture Capital)
Total Funding
$67.7M
Headquarters
Oberkochen, Germany
Founded
2001
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Simplify's Take
What believers are saying
- ZEISS led Maculaser's May 2026 round for retinal laser therapy commercialization.
- ZEISS Ventures led SeeTrue's €2.2 million round on August 6, 2026.
- ZEISS launched ClearMind lenses and DuraVision Plus in January 2026, reinforcing optical leadership.
What critics are saying
- Carl Zeiss Meditec cut 2026 revenue 5.7% and targets 1,000 job reductions.
- ZEISS's 2026 restructuring threatens innovation velocity and employee morale through 2028/29.
- A prolonged MedTech slump or failed turnaround would weaken ZEISS Ventures' strategic value.
What makes Zeiss unique
- ZEISS Ventures pairs capital with ZEISS distribution, engineering, and ophthalmology channels.
- Its 2026 deals target eye health, imaging, and optoelectronics adjacencies.
- ZEISS brand credibility de-risks pilots for startups selling into regulated healthcare.
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Benefits
Health Insurance
401(k) Retirement Plan
Paid Vacation
Performance Bonus
Company News
ZEISS Ventures led a €2.2 million investment round in SeeTrue Technologies, a Finnish deep-tech company developing miniaturised eye-tracking technology. The funding will accelerate commercialisation of SeeTrue's ultra-low-power eye-sensing architecture for next-generation interfaces in smart optical systems and eyewear. SeeTrue's proprietary technology combines miniaturised sensing hardware with optimised embedded processing, enabling scalable eye-sensing capabilities with low power consumption and small hardware footprint. The technology supports gaze-based interaction and attention-aware computing across healthcare, industrial, and smart eyewear applications. The investment round includes participation from Superhero Capital and North Karelia Growth Fund, managed by Redstone Nordics. Founded in 2018 and based in Joensuu, Finland, SeeTrue develops ultra-miniature eye-tracking technology for medical optical systems, vision care, and smart wearables.
ZEISS Ventures has invested in Maculaser, a Finnish medtech company developing temperature-controlled retinal laser therapy, through a funding round co-led with M2care. The investment will support clinical development of the company's personalized treatment for retinal diseases. Founded in 2020 and based on research from Aalto University, Maculaser has developed patented technology that provides real-time temperature control during laser treatment. The non-damaging approach activates natural cellular defence mechanisms, targeting affected retinal areas early to delay or prevent progression of age-related macular degeneration and diabetic maculopathy. The technology aims to shift retinal care from managing late-stage damage to proactive vision preservation, offering an outpatient procedure that integrates into regular eye care. Maculaser plans to bring the treatment into clinical practice to benefit millions of patients worldwide.
Hypervision Surgical, a UK-based pioneer in real-time hyperspectral imaging for surgery, has raised £17 million in an oversubscribed Series A round led by Heal Capital. Angelini Ventures participated alongside IP Group and Daycrest, with Angelini Ventures Managing Director Tanja Dowe joining the board. The King's College London spin-out has developed the Hyperspectral Intelligence platform, which combines hyperspectral sensing with AI-driven analytics to provide real-time, quantitative insights into tissue physiology during surgery. The technology captures information beyond what conventional surgical cameras can perceive, potentially improving intraoperative decision-making and reducing complications. The funding will support commercial deployment, clinical adoption and development of next-generation hyperspectral sensing technology. The company's HYPERSNAP system is certified in the UK and cleared by the US FDA.
ZEISS has unveiled new digital, AI and surgical innovations for cataract and refractive workflows at the ASCRS conference. The medical technology company is expanding its US cataract portfolio with new irrigation/aspiration handpieces compatible with the DORC EVA NEXUS surgical system, alongside enhanced IOL calculation capabilities for the ZEISS IOLMaster 700. ZEISS also launched VisioGen commercially in the US, a human-verified AI patient engagement platform for ophthalmology practices. The platform integrates with clinic websites to capture patient demand around the clock, with AI-assisted responses reviewed by ZEISS-trained optometrists before delivery. The company showcased ZEISS Collaborative Care, a cloud-based application enabling secure data sharing between eye care professionals, and previewed ZEISS CLINIC 360, pending FDA clearance. ZEISS is celebrating 100 years of US operations this year.
ZEISS Medical Technology has expanded its ophthalmic workflow portfolio in Canada with new diagnostic, visualisation and therapeutic solutions. The company will showcase the innovations at upcoming Canadian ophthalmology conferences in Ottawa and Montréal. Key additions include ICGA for ZEISS CLARUS 700, offering simultaneous FA and ICG capture for clinical assessment, and ZEISS VISULAS green with selective laser trabeculoplasty for retinal photocoagulation. The company has introduced refraction devices ZEISS VISUREF 600 and ZEISS VISUCORE 500 to streamline diagnostic workflows. ZEISS also launched VISULAS yag, a new-generation therapeutic laser for anterior segment photodisruption within cataract workflows. The ZEISS FORUM subscription package, now available in Canada, offers integrated data management with unlimited device licences and lower upfront costs.