Führungskräfte: Nach diesen Profilen suchen deutsche Waffenhersteller

In Germany, the arms industry is bucking the downward trend in employment across other sectors. According to recent data, while the number of unemployed workers in Germany currently stands just under three million, the industry sector has seen about 15,000 positions lost per month. This trend is particularly discouraging for managers, with the number of unemployed managers up 14 percent in the past year.

However, the arms industry continues to recruit, actively seeking new managers. Major companies such as Rheinmetall, Hensoldt, and the French-Dutch tank manufacturer KNDS have all reported a high demand for qualified personnel. The German trade magazine Handelsblatt conducted a survey among arms companies, revealing that major players like KNDS have already hired nearly 100 managers in the last year, with plans to hire over 100 more in the coming years.

Rheinmetall, the DAX-listed company, intends to hire over 5000 new employees worldwide this year, though the exact number of management positions is undisclosed. To succeed in these roles, managers should possess expertise in areas like IT, project management, engineering, or procurement. Headhunter Eva Brückner, who specializes in placing top executives in German arms manufacturers, notes that the market has boomed since the start of the Ukrainian war in 2022, with the number of contracts for her and her colleagues increasing by roughly two thirds.

She attributes this to the increasing demand for experts who can help companies secure large government and EU contracts. Brückner also highlights the need for managers with experience in transforming traditional manufacturing processes into series production, as many arms manufacturers are shifting from a manufacturing-based model to a more flexible, service-oriented approach.

Queried managers come from diverse backgrounds, including automotive, aerospace, and other technical industries. Applicants with a non-traditional career path in the arms industry often bring fresh perspectives and a strong willingness to learn. While specific qualifications may vary depending on the position, strong industry knowledge and a broad network are essential for all managerial roles, particularly in higher positions such as business development or divisional management.

Some arms companies, like Rheinmetall and KNDS, are particularly interested in hiring from industries with strong regulatory frameworks, such as energy, railway technology, medical technology, and aerospace, due to their experience with stringent quality assurance and documentation standards.