Work with Fabian Sieber

How long have you been with BIOTRONIK, and what do you do here?

I started at BIOTRONIK in May 2011 as a temporary employee in lead manufacturing. I wasn't even familiar with the company at that point. However, the possibility of a permanent position came up early on, and so I was able to transition to a permanent role as a production employee in November 2012.

Today, I work as a Process Engineer and also serve as a Sub-Project Manager. I am currently working on modernizing a manufacturing area. An existing piece of equipment, known as a laser structurer, has reached the end of its lifecycle and is now being replaced. My responsibilities include procurement, acceptance testing at the manufacturer's facility, and the qualification of the new equipment at our facility.

How did you go from being a production worker to a process engineer?

After two years in production, I became a trainer in pacemaker manufacturing in 2014. I trained new colleagues, supported their development, and made sure they met their training milestones.

At some point, I realized that I wanted to continue my own professional development. Internal leadership positions had been filled for a long time, so I actively inquired about what opportunities were available. I was told back then that automation was a field with a promising future, including for BIOTRONIK. That was what motivated me to pursue further education.

In 2015, I began a four-year part-time evening program to become a state-certified automation technician, which I completed in 2019. I continued to work the early shift and studied in the evenings. During that time, I once said to my wife: “I’m putting my life on hold for four years.”

After finishing my studies, I took on new roles: production worker with setup responsibilities, process supervisor, and finally process engineer. Since 2025, I’ve also been a sub-project manager.

Was there a particular moment that shaped your career?

A defining moment was the introduction of a new system that was initially set up in Switzerland. I was able to assist with the setup there. When the system was later brought to Berlin, I was the only production employee who was already familiar with it. That allowed me to take on a lot of responsibility. It was one of the first fully automated systems of high complexity with a direct connection to our production system. That was a major challenge, but also a strong sign of trust. 

In addition, I made several suggestions for improvement, one of which led to significant cost savings. This initiative has opened many doors for me and had a significant impact on my future path. I received several internal job offers and ultimately decided to pursue my current career path as a Process Engineer.

What convinced you to join the company back then?

During the job interview, I asked three questions: How are new colleagues trained? What are the working conditions like? What role does the trade union play?

The answers convinced me. Even though I was initially turned down, the interview went so well that I decided: I want to work for this company. Shortly afterward, I got a second chance in another interview—and eventually the permanent position.

And what keeps you at BIOTRONIK as an engineer to this day?

To this day, I appreciate the fair onboarding process and the support from my colleagues. At the same time, as an engineer, I have a lot of responsibility: Identifying challenges, developing solutions, and implementing them—that’s exactly what I enjoy.

I find it particularly motivating that I can help develop new concepts that will drive BIOTRONIK forward in the long term. One example is a new ramp-up concept for production lines. Today, machines are introduced as part of the production process, which makes the start-up much smoother and increases acceptance within the team.

What does a typical workday look like for you?

As a production worker, we had clear daily goals and worked together to achieve them. Today, as an engineer, no two days are alike.

Often, it’s about solving urgent challenges—for example, equipment malfunctions or increased scrap rates. Then I analyze the causes and develop appropriate countermeasures. In medical technology, this is particularly challenging, as changes often require validation and can impact regulatory approvals.

This involves a lot of coordination with various departments such as Development, Quality Assurance, Maintenance, Manufacturing, and Design. In addition, I regularly pursue continuing education, for example on new technologies such as robotics or image processing. Working with 6-axis robots and modern image processing was completely new territory for me until recently, and that’s exactly what I enjoy.

What makes your work at BIOTRONIK special to you?

Even back when I was in manufacturing, it was the team spirit and our shared responsibility for products that save lives. That feeling has stayed with me.

Today, it’s above all the sense of camaraderie. Over the years, we've become like one big family. We designed our office together and really look out for one another. I even hang out with some of my coworkers in my free time. That's why we don't need big team events—we're already a team.

On top of that, there are always new challenges: new technologies, new products, and the continuous improvement of existing processes. That's what makes the work varied and exciting.

It’s only later that many people realize just how complex medical technology really is—with certifications, audits, and regulatory requirements that play a major role behind the scenes. 

What surprises new colleagues about your job?

At first, it’s often the cleanrooms and the special clothing.

What do you value most about your team and the company culture?

We have a very strong sense of unity and a strong team spirit. Our goal is to develop guidelines for a successful future and to involve production teams early on. This fosters acceptance, makes it easier to launch new systems, and ensures long-term success.

Is there anything that particularly excites you, either at work or in your personal life?

At work, it’s mainly new technologies that I can learn about—and the knowledge that I can then share with my colleagues. I enjoy learning new things and sharing them with others.

In my personal life, I'm a total nerd. I've fully automated our garden. With my irrigation system, I could water specific shrubs right now, as we speak. In the evenings, I just wander through the garden with my pruning shears and talk to the leaves. For me, that’s the perfect balance to my workday.

What advice would you give to applicants who want to join BIOTRONIK?

Don't let setbacks or rejections discourage you. If you really want to, stick with it. Don't be afraid of challenges—you won't be left on your own here; instead, you'll be supported by colleagues who are ready to help you with advice and practical assistance.