Director Additive & Advanced Manufacturing (m/f/d)- Startup Support

Published August 5, 2026

The TUM Venture Labs are a non-profit initiative of the Technical University of Munich (TUM) – Europe’s top-ranked technical university – and UnternehmerTUM, Europe’s leading center for innovation and business creation. We are building one of Europe’s leading hubs for entrepreneurship in deep tech and life sciences. In our domain-specific labs, we support deep tech founding teams from the very first idea to investor readiness – providing access to world-class research facilities, industry partners, mentors, and tailor-made programs. Our core focus: Empowering the next generation of scientists and students to transform their research innovations into scalable, technology-based companies with global impact. 

The TUM Venture Lab AM is directly embedded within the TUM ecosystem through its headquarter within the TUM-oerlikon Advanced Manufacturing institute in Garching, and the Academic Director Prof. Peter Mayr, head of the Chair of Materials Engineering of AM at TUM. 

Additive & Advanced Manufacturing (AM) serves as Europe’s economic backbone and technological anchor, driving industrial sovereignty and resilient supply chains across all domains. 

Join our mission as Director – Additive and Advanced Manufacturing (AM) (f/m/d)! 

Your Mission

  • You will strategically and operationally lead the activities of the TUM Venture Lab AM.
  • You will directly support researchers in founding their deep tech Spin Off and help to identify opportunity fields at the intersection of research activities and market opportunities.
  • You will identify and drive core opportunity fields where the Additive in AM will make the difference, ranging from novel thrusters for Aerospace, to nanoscale innovation and bioprinting.
  • Apart from that, you will also identify which innovations are needed to shape the future of NextGen Manufacturing & Industrial Production in Europe, also supporting the industrialization journey of our venturing teams.
  • You will drive the growth of our deep tech ventures by creating domain-specific offerings and by providing expert input and guidance.
  • You will work closely with our affiliated research institutions, industry partners, and funding organizations, as well as opening new fields of cooperation.
  • You will connect with investors, mentors, and experts, further expanding our network.
  • In line with our "One Venture Lab" philosophy, you will develop and implement Advanced/NextGen Manufacturing as a core cross-domain initiative, together with our Venture Labs Robotics/AI, Mobility and Software/ AI. 

Your Profile

  • You hold a degree in Mechanical Engineering, Material Science, or a comparable field. A PhD is a plus, but not a must.
  • You have a proven background and experience in Additive Manufacturing, AI x Engineering, and building hardware-based systems.
  • You thrive in fast moving start-up and innovation environments, bringing structure, clear priorities, and follow-through to ambiguity - Ideally, you know the start-up journey firsthand.  
  • You have already taken on leadership responsibility and you are leading teams with clarity, empathy, and respectful communication
  • Entrepreneurial thinking drives you: you don’t just want to research groundbreaking technologies – you want to bring them to life and create a positive impact.
  • Networking is your superpower. You enjoy meeting new people, connecting ideas, and creating effective networks.
  • You communicate confidently in both German and English – whether in meetings, presentations, or when engaging with international partners.
  • Most importantly: you are a builder – someone who gets things moving and sticks with it until results become visible. 

What we offer

  • Opportunity to turn TUM's entrepreneurial ecosystem into Europe's leading deep-tech innovation hub.
  • A highly dynamic and well-connected work environment with inspiring talents, entrepreneurs, leaders, and experts in Munich's start-up ecosystem.
  • Flexible working hours and home-office options
  • A flexible mobility budget via the Moovster app
  • Budget to develop your personal and professional skills
  • Option for a company-supported Wellpass membership and a JobRad

Carina Schreyer, Head of People & Culture
Lichtenbergstraße 6
85748 Garching, Munich

Apply here