Reference

Electrical Engineering & Electronics in Thuringia

Nano-lithography, LTCC multilayer technology and silicon technology as well as quantum sensor technology and ultrashort pulse laser technologies – these innovations are just a few examples of sophisticated electrical engineering "Made in Thuringia". Global players such as Bosch, Jenoptik or Melexis are researching tomorrow's solutions here.

Central location in Europe

Successful Companies

Location by tradition

Skilled workers and training

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Overview

Thuringia offers excellent growth opportunities for companies that want to get started with new electrical engineering applications or state-of-the-art electronics. Well-known market and technology leaders have relied on the Free State for many years. Attractive customers, suppliers and research institutes can be found in the immediate vicinity, particularly in the optics, medical technology and automotive sectors. Thanks to its central location, Thuringia is also an ideal base for offering comprehensive on-site services.

Data and Facts

230 Companies
approx. 25,000 employees
5 billion euros Revenue
14,500 students in engineering degree programs
highest proportion of graduates in engineering sciences nationwide

Product and technology focus areas

Actuator, drive and nanopositioning technology
Manufacturing and Production
Firmware and software technologies
Information and communication technology
Microelectronics
Optoelectronics
Polytronics
Circuit technology and power electronics
Sensor and Measurement Technology

Semiconductor industry in Germany

Skilled workers, R&D and companies

Skilled workers
Thuringia's strength in electrical engineering is based on the extensive range of study programs offered by the state's universities, as well as on the excellently trained skilled workers from mechatronics engineers to precision opticians.
Academic Education
Thuringia's technically oriented universities continue the state's long engineering tradition with great success. They are among the best in Germany. Teaching is conducted at the highest level at all universities, including in the following subjects:
Electrical Engineering, Information Technology, Automation Technology
- Ernst Abbe University of Applied Sciences Jena
- University of Applied Sciences Nordhausen
- Schmalkalden University of Applied Sciences
- Technical University of Ilmenau
- Duale Hochschule Gera-Eisenach
Laser and optical technologies, photonics, optronics
- Ernst Abbe University of Applied Sciences Jena
- Friedrich Schiller University Jena
- Technical University of Ilmenau
Micro and nanotechnologies, mechatronics
- Ernst Abbe University of Applied Sciences Jena
- Technical University of Ilmenau
- Building and Energy Technology, Renewable
- Energy technology, electrical
- Power and Control Engineering:
- Erfurt University of Applied Sciences
- University of Applied Sciences Nordhausen
- Technical University of Ilmenau
Space Electronics
- Ernst Abbe University of Applied Sciences Jena
In addition, degree programs in applied computer science, technical computer science, engineering computer science or other specializations are offered.
Training and further education
Potential skilled workers receive a solid theoretical and practical training in Thuringia. Numerous training occupations cover the entire value chain of electrical engineering and electronics:
- Electronics technician
  Specializations: energy and building technology, automation technology, machinery and drive technology, among others.
- Information electronics technician
- Mechatronics Engineers
- Microtechnologist
- Physics Laboratory Technician
- Precision Optician/Precision Mechanic
In addition, training associations contribute to the high quality of teaching: For example, the Jena Education Center with its shareholders Schott, Carl Zeiss and Jenoptik, trains highly qualified specialists for many companies in the industry. At the TU Ilmenau, special further training courses can be completed, such as an additional qualification as a power grid engineer or the further training course in lighting application.
Research and Development
Thuringia's research institutes are global pioneers in the development of intelligent electrical engineering applications. Due to the close networking of business and science, companies have quick access to the latest research results from the institutes.
Selected research institutions:
- CiS Research Institute for Microsensorics GmbH, Erfurt
- Fraunhofer Institute for Applied Optics and Precision Engineering (IOF), Jena
- Fraunhofer Institute for Ceramic Technologies and Systems (IKTS), Hermsdorf
- Fraunhofer Institute Division Applied System Technology (IOSB-AST) of the Fraunhofer Institute for Optronics, System Technology and Image Evaluation, Ilmenau
- Günter Köhler Institute for Joining Technology and Materials Testing GmbH (ifw), Jena
- Institute for Microelectronics and Mechatronics Systems gGmbH (IMMS), Ilmenau
- Leibniz Institute for Photonic Technologies e. V. (IPHT), Jena
- Innovation Center for Quantum Optics and Sensorics (InQuoSens), Ilmenau
- Center for Micro- and Nanotechnologies (ZMN), Ilmenau
The Technical University of Ilmenau is not only a popular place to study, but is also considered an internationally recognized technology center for cutting-edge research in electrical and information engineering. In the university ranking of the evaluation portal "Study-Check“, the TU Ilmenau has been awarded the "TopUni2020“ award. The university offers companies an intensive transfer of knowledge, technology and personnel. In doing so, it consistently tailors its scientific support to the needs of the client on site. A dedicated technology scout and a transfer office ensure project management from the idea to the marketable product. In InQuoSens, research in the fields of quantum optics, quantum computing and industrial sensor technology is conducted by the Institute for Micro- and Nanotechnologies MacroNano of the TU Ilmenau and the Abbe Center of Photonics (ACP) of the FSU Jena. The collaboration makes it possible to cover the entire scientific process chain.
Growth through Cooperation
The Industry cluster Electronic Measurement and Device Technology Thuringia e. V. (ELMUG) bundles the technological competencies of research institutions, developers, suppliers, and service providers from around 60 companies and 10 research institutions in the field of measurement, control, and regulation technology in Thuringia. The cluster offers an ideal platform, especially for small and medium-sized enterprises in the industry. Thanks to the short distances in the Free State, attractive business partners can be found quickly – for example, for joint research projects, procurement or
distribution. The lively exchange of experience among members enables them to precisely discuss opportunities and risks in advance, which determine their future actions, e.g., on foreign markets.
Specialist groups of ELMUG
- Micro-Nano Integration Specialist Group
- EMC and Equipment Safety Group
- Digitalization Specialist Group
Selected companies
X-FAB Semiconductor Foundries AG
The X-FAB Group is a globally operating semiconductor company headquartered in Erfurt and manufactures silicon wafers as a so-called foundry on behalf of customers. Since 1992, the chip manufacturer has invested a three-digit million amount in new machines and modern infrastructure at the Erfurt site, which now employs around 700 people.
SIOS Meßtechnik GmbH
Founded in 1991, SIOS Messtechnik GmbH is an innovative company specializing in the development and production of highest quality laser interferometric precision measuring instruments. At its headquarters in Ilmenau, it produces, among other things, the laser interferometric nanopositioning and nanomeasuring machine.
GÖPEL electronic GmbH
GÖPEL electronic is a leading provider of electrical and optical test and inspection systems headquartered in Jena. Founded in 1991, the company currently employs over 200 people, with approximately 300 additional specialists integrated into its global distribution and service network. As part of the TOP-JOB program, GÖPEL was recognized as one of the 100 best medium-sized companies in Germany. The company's products have won several prestigious awards in recent years.
Jena-Optonik GmbH
“From Jena to Mars” is the slogan of the sensor manufacturer based in Jena. The customers of the Thuringian space company rely on the highly precise, robust attitude control sensors, the rendezvous and docking sensors, and the optical subsystems for space-based applications.
Other selected companies