With over 5,000 robots sold, 1998 was a record year for KUKA Roboter GmbH, based in Augsburg, Germany. Recruitment is also increasing, in large part due to KUKA’s worldwide expansion – at the beginning of this year KUKA acquired the US company Trellis, a subsidiary of Hewlett-Packard.
As of this year, KUKA has a new trainee program, which offers graduates of technical colleges, universities or professional academies the chance to learn about all areas of the company. The goal of this program is to be able to promote qualified management staff from within the workforce. In the course of the one-year program, junior managers get to know various company departments, and thus receive a general overview. This orientation program includes assignments at one of the company’s domestic or foreign subsidiaries, as well as additional training in foreign languages, time management, conflict management, and self-management.
The company is also looking for engineers in the fields of electrical engineering, computer science, mechanical engineering and physics. In addition to this, the company also offers internships, and opportunities for persons writing degree dissertations and term papers. “Robots incorporate new technologies. We’re looking for applicants who want to play an active role in developing robot technology. KUKA Roboter is a complex functional group, and as such can provide challenging work for any engineer”, explains Gertraud Gruber, Director of Human Resources. The personnel director provides a special service: she is available for initial contacts even on Saturdays and Sundays from 5 - 8 PM on telephone number (0)172-8117346.
Young people who are looking for vocational training will also find that the robot manufacturer from Augsburg offers a chance to work in a company with a congenial atmosphere and a flat organizational structure. Positions are also available for business people with a background in IT or industrial management, and computer technicians specializing in systems integration or applications development.
KUKA Roboter GmbH is owned by IWKA Aktiengesellschaft, and ranks among the world leaders in robot manufacturing. KUKA Roboter is active worldwide, with subsidiaries in many EU countries, Russia, Asia, South America and the United States. The customers of the Augsburg-based high-tech company include manufacturers such as BMW, DaimlerChrysler, the VW Group and GM, to name just a few.