SICK is one of the world’s leading solutions providers for sensor-based applications in the industrial sector. Founded in 1946 by Dr.-Ing. e. h. Erwin Sick and headquartered in Waldkirch im Breisgau near Freiburg, the company is a technology and market leader with 63 subsidiaries and affiliates as well as numerous agencies around the globe. SICK has more than 10,000 employees worldwide and generated a group revenue of EUR 1.8 billion in the 2025 fiscal year.
Job Description
Master's Thesis: Economic Evaluation of Capacity Expansions in Production Systems

Summer Semester 2027 – fixed term of 3–6 months

 

The competitiveness of modern manufacturing companies increasingly depends on their ability to make sound, cost-effective investment decisions quickly. In special-purpose machinery and automated production lines in particular, companies face the challenge of meeting growing market demands while expanding production capacity in an economically viable way.

As part of this master’s thesis, you will develop a scientifically grounded decision-making and budgeting model that links operational production metrics with investment and financial analyses. The goal is to create a practical tool for evaluating future investments in production and testing equipment in a transparent, reliable and data-driven way.

Your findings will directly contribute to the strategic development of our international equipment portfolio.

 

YOUR TASKS:

  • Analyze existing production systems and relevant production, cost and investment metrics.
  • Identify suitable criteria for evaluating capacity expansions and investment projects.
  • Develop a decision-making and budgeting model that links operational metrics with financial evaluation methods.
  • Investigate different investment scenarios and evaluate them based on appropriate financial and operational criteria.
  • Validate the model using real production, cost and investment data.
  • Collaborate with teams in Systems Engineering, Production, Manufacturing Engineering and Product Management.
  • Document your methodology and findings and derive recommendations for future production and investment decisions.

 

YOUR PROFILE:

  • Master’s degree studies in industrial engineering, production engineering, technology management or a comparable field
  • Interest in production systems, financial feasibility analysis and investment appraisal
  • Analytical and structured approach to work
  • Knowledge of data analysis, cost accounting or operations research is an advantage
  • Ability to apply scientific methods to real-world industrial challenges
  • Good command of German and English
Information at a Glance
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Posting Start Date:  10/28/26
Requisition-ID:  38261
Posting Job Location:  Reute (near Freiburg)
Full-time/Part-time:  Full-time

Contact: Sarah Disch

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At SICK, we value the diverse backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives of our people. This enriches us as an organization. We are committed to fostering an inclusive workplace where everyone is treated with dignity, fairness, and respect and stand firmly against any form of discrimination.