Werkstudent (w/m/d) — User Experience (UX) (WS26/27)

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Werkstudent (w/m/d) — User Experience (UX) (WS26/27)

Company: TRUMPF

Location: Ditzingen, Germany

Job Type: Part-Time

Category: User Experience (UX) / Product Design Operations

Date Posted: 2026-05-01

Experience Level: Entry-Level (0-2 years)

Remote Status: Hybrid

🚀 Role Summary

• This role focuses on supporting the User Experience (UX) team in creating and refining digital product interfaces.

• Responsibilities include the development of mockups, interactive prototypes, and contributing to styleguide evolution.

• The position involves assisting with user research and usability evaluations to validate design concepts and gather user requirements.

• It's an excellent opportunity for students to gain practical experience in UX design within a high-tech manufacturing environment.

📝 Enhancement Note: While the title is "Werkstudent (w/m/d) — User Experience (UX)", given TRUMPF's industry as a high-tech manufacturing company, this role likely bridges UX design with product development operations. The emphasis on "creating and refining digital product interfaces" and "validating design concepts" suggests a need to understand how UX integrates into the broader product lifecycle and operational workflows. The role is part-time and for a specific semester (WS26/27), indicating it's a student position focused on practical learning and project support.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Support the creation of mockups and interactive prototypes to quickly translate design requirements into tangible assets.

• Assist in the ongoing development and maintenance of the UX styleguide, ensuring design consistency across products.

• Contribute to the selection, adaptation, and consistent application of UI icons.

• Support the analysis of user contexts and the capture of specific user requirements to derive actionable design concepts.

• Collaborate on the planning and execution of user studies, usability evaluations, and user research activities to validate design decisions.

• Process and prepare large datasets for visualization and analysis, contributing to data-informed design strategies.

• Assist in the adaptation and maintenance of user interfaces based on research findings and feedback.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities listed highlight a hands-on approach to UX design support. For a "Werkstudent" role, the emphasis is on "Unterstützung" (support) and "Mitarbeit" (collaboration), indicating that the student will be working under the guidance of experienced professionals. The mention of "schnellen Umsetzung von Anforderungen" (quick implementation of requirements) and "Ableitung umsetzbarer Konzepte" (derivation of actionable concepts) points towards a need for efficiency and practical application of UX principles within TRUMPF's product development cycle.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: Currently enrolled in a Bachelor's or Master's degree program in Business Informatics, Industrial Engineering, Business Administration, Media Management, or a comparable field of study.

Experience:

• 0-2 years of experience, with a strong emphasis on academic projects and foundational understanding of UX principles.

Required Skills:

• Strong command of MS Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint).

• Foundational knowledge of MS Power Apps, with a specific interest in Power BI.

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills in German.

• Good command of English, both written and spoken.

Preferred Skills:

• Familiarity with UX design tools for creating mockups and prototypes (e.g., Figma, Sketch, Adobe XD).

• Basic understanding of user research methodologies and usability testing principles.

• Experience with data visualization techniques and tools beyond Power BI.

• Exposure to high-tech or manufacturing industries.

📝 Enhancement Note: The requirements emphasize a blend of technical tool proficiency (MS Office, Power BI) and foundational UX understanding. The "0-2 years" experience level suggests that candidates are expected to be in the early stages of their career, likely with internships or significant academic projects as their primary experience. The need for strong German language skills is critical for daily operations and team interaction within Germany.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Showcase of academic projects or personal work demonstrating foundational UX design skills.

• Examples of mockups and wireframes created for user interfaces.

• Demonstrations of interactive prototypes, illustrating user flow and interaction design.

• Documentation of user research or usability testing activities, including methodology and findings.

Process Documentation:

• Candidates should be prepared to discuss their personal workflow for design projects, from initial concept to final design.

• Ability to articulate how they would approach gathering user requirements and translating them into design specifications.

• Understanding of how UX findings are documented and communicated to development teams.

📝 Enhancement Note: For a "Werkstudent" role, the portfolio expectations will be more focused on foundational skills and academic projects rather than extensive professional case studies. The emphasis should be on demonstrating the candidate's thought process, understanding of UX principles, and ability to utilize relevant tools, even if the projects are conceptual or part of coursework. The "process documentation" aspect refers more to their approach to design tasks rather than formal process documentation.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: As a "Werkstudent" (student worker) position in Germany, compensation is typically structured as an hourly wage, often with a tiered system based on the duration of employment and academic progress. While not explicitly stated, TRUMPF is known for offering competitive student wages. For a role like this in Ditzingen (near Stuttgart), a part-time student worker salary could range approximately from €12 to €16 per hour, depending on the specific semester and the student's year of study.

Benefits:

• Attractive compensation package (hourly wage).

• Flexible working hours (Gleitzeit) to accommodate academic schedules.

• Hybrid work arrangement (on-site or partially remote, subject to discussion).

• Opportunities for networking with other students within the company.

• Discounted meals available in the company restaurant.

• Access to the TRUMPF Fitness Studio and various sports groups.

• Good public transport connections to the office location.

Working Hours: Approximately 40 hours per week, with flexible working time arrangements (Gleitzeit) to balance with academic commitments. Specific hours will be agreed upon.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary estimate is based on typical "Werkstudent" compensation in Germany for a technical/design role in a major corporation like TRUMPF, located in a high-cost-of-living area like Stuttgart. The flexibility in working hours and the hybrid option are key benefits for students.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: TRUMPF operates in the high-tech manufacturing sector, specializing in machine tools, laser technology, and electronics. This means the company is at the forefront of industrial innovation, producing advanced solutions for various manufacturing processes.

Company Size: TRUMPF is a large, family-run, high-tech company with nearly 19,000 employees at 71 locations worldwide. This size offers stability, global reach, and diverse career opportunities while maintaining a culture that values collaboration.

Founded: TRUMPF was founded in 1923, giving it a long history of innovation and market leadership. This longevity suggests a stable and established organization with a strong foundation for future growth and technological development.

Team Structure:

• The UX team likely operates within a larger product development or engineering division.

• Reporting structure will involve a UX Lead or Manager, with the Werkstudent reporting to a designated mentor.

Methodology:

• TRUMPF emphasizes innovation, forward-thinking, and unconventional ideas.

• The company culture values collaboration, mutual trust, and a willingness to explore new possibilities and challenge the status quo.

• For UX, this likely translates to an agile approach, iterative design processes, and a strong focus on user-centric development within the product lifecycle.

Company Website: https://www.trumpf.com/

📝 Enhancement Note: TRUMPF's status as a "family-run, high-tech company" suggests a culture that balances tradition with innovation. For a UX Werkstudent, this means an environment where user experience is increasingly recognized as a critical component of product success, even in a traditionally hardware-focused industry. The emphasis on "boldly trying new things" is a cue for candidates to bring proactive ideas.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This is an entry-level, part-time student position ("Werkstudent") designed for individuals early in their academic careers. It's an excellent stepping stone for gaining initial professional experience in UX design and product development operations within a leading industrial company.

Reporting Structure: The Werkstudent will report to a direct mentor, likely a Senior UX Designer or UX Lead, within the product development or digital solutions department. This mentor will provide guidance, project assignments, and feedback.

Operations Impact: While not a direct "operations" role in the traditional sense (like Sales Ops or Rev Ops), this UX position contributes to product operations by ensuring user-centricity in digital interfaces. By supporting the creation of intuitive and effective user experiences, the Werkstudent indirectly impacts product adoption, user satisfaction, and ultimately, the operational efficiency of users interacting with TRUMPF's digital tools or interfaces.

Growth Opportunities:

• Skill Development: Deepen practical skills in UX design, prototyping, user research, and data visualization. Gain hands-on experience with industry-standard tools.

• Industry Exposure: Develop an understanding of UX challenges and opportunities within the high-tech manufacturing sector.

• Professional Networking: Build connections with experienced UX professionals, developers, and product managers at TRUMPF, which can be invaluable for future career opportunities.

• Potential for Future Roles: Successful performance in this Werkstudent role could lead to further internship opportunities or even a full-time graduate position upon completion of studies.

📝 Enhancement Note: The growth analysis for a "Werkstudent" role naturally focuses on learning and exposure rather than rapid career advancement. The key is building a foundation in UX and understanding its application within a complex industrial environment. The "Operations Impact" is framed in terms of how UX contributes to the smooth functioning and user adoption of digital products, which is a crucial aspect of product operations.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: TRUMPF operates modern office facilities designed to foster collaboration and innovation. The Ditzingen location likely features contemporary workspaces, meeting rooms, and potentially dedicated areas for design and research activities.

Office Location(s): The primary location for this role is Ditzingen, a municipality near Stuttgart in Germany. This region is a hub for technology and industry, offering good infrastructure and accessibility.

Workspace Context:

• The workspace will be collaborative, requiring interaction with team members and mentors.

• Access to necessary software and hardware for UX design and data analysis will be provided.

• Opportunities for informal knowledge sharing and team discussions are likely integrated into the daily routine.

Work Schedule: The role offers flexible working hours (Gleitzeit), allowing students to balance their academic responsibilities with their work at TRUMPF. The hybrid work arrangement, subject to discussion, provides additional flexibility.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "Work Environment" section emphasizes the practical aspects of working at TRUMPF. For a student, understanding the flexibility offered by "Gleitzeit" and the hybrid model is crucial. The collaborative nature of the workspace is also important, as it implies active participation and communication.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: Review of application documents (CV, cover letter, degree program details) to assess academic background and basic qualifications.

• Technical/Skills Interview: Likely a discussion with the hiring manager or a senior UX team member to assess understanding of UX principles, familiarity with design tools, and initial experience with data handling. This may include a brief technical exercise or case study discussion.

• Portfolio Review: Presentation and discussion of the candidate's portfolio, focusing on academic projects, design process, and problem-solving skills.

• Cultural Fit Interview: Assessment of the candidate's alignment with TRUMPF's values of innovation, collaboration, and a proactive approach.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Highlight Process: Clearly articulate your design process for each project – from understanding the problem to ideation, prototyping, and validation.

• Showcase Tool Proficiency: Demonstrate your ability to use UX design and prototyping tools. If you have Power BI or data visualization examples, include them.

• Quantify Impact (if possible): Even for academic projects, try to explain the impact or intended outcome of your design decisions.

• Tailor to TRUMPF: If possible, show projects that relate to complex systems or industrial applications, demonstrating an understanding of TRUMPF's context.

• Be Ready to Discuss: Prepare to answer questions about your design choices, challenges faced, and how you would approach a given UX problem within TRUMPF's industry.

Challenge Preparation:

• Be prepared for potential small exercises related to UI design, wireframing, or data interpretation.

• Practice articulating your thought process clearly and concisely.

• Research TRUMPF's products and digital presence to understand their existing UX and identify potential areas for improvement, framing these as learning opportunities.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process for a Werkstudent role is typically less intensive than for a full-time position but still requires thorough preparation. The portfolio is key, and candidates should focus on demonstrating their learning potential and foundational skills rather than extensive professional achievements.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• MS Office Suite: Essential for general documentation, presentations, and data handling (Word, Excel, PowerPoint).

• MS Power Apps / Power BI: Required for data analysis, visualization, and potentially creating interactive dashboards. Candidates are expected to have at least initial knowledge.

• UX/UI Design Tools: While not explicitly listed, tools such as Figma, Sketch, Adobe XD, or similar are standard for creating mockups and prototypes. Proficiency here is highly beneficial.

Analytics & Reporting:

• Power BI: Specifically mentioned, indicating its importance for data analysis and reporting within the team.

• Data Visualization Tools: General experience with tools that can process and visualize large datasets is a plus.

CRM & Automation:

• Not directly mentioned, but understanding how UX integrates with product development workflows that might involve CRM or project management tools (like Jira) could be advantageous.

📝 Enhancement Note: The explicit mention of MS Power BI is a strong indicator of the analytical component of this role. Candidates should highlight any experience with data preparation, transformation, and visualization, even if it's from academic projects. Familiarity with standard UX design software is also crucial.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Innovation & Forward-Thinking: TRUMPF encourages exploring new ideas and challenging existing norms, which is vital for UX design.

• Collaboration & Mutual Trust: The company culture emphasizes teamwork and open communication, essential for effective UX design integration with development teams.

• Drive & Proactivity: Candidates are expected to be motivated and take initiative in their projects and learning.

• User-Centricity: While not explicitly stated as a core value, the UX role implies a company commitment to understanding and serving user needs.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-functional Integration: Expect to work closely with various departments, including software development, product management, and potentially marketing, to ensure design alignment.

• Feedback Exchange: A culture of constructive feedback is likely, with regular reviews of design work and user study results.

• Knowledge Sharing: Opportunities to learn from and share insights with experienced professionals and fellow students.

📝 Enhancement Note: The core values of TRUMPF, as described, directly influence how a UX Werkstudent should approach their work. Demonstrating an innovative mindset, a collaborative spirit, and a proactive attitude will be key to fitting into the team and company culture.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Bridging UX and Manufacturing: Applying UX principles effectively within a high-tech manufacturing context can present unique challenges, requiring an understanding of complex industrial processes and user needs.

• Data Volume and Complexity: Working with potentially large and complex datasets requires strong analytical skills and the ability to extract meaningful insights for design.

• Navigating a Large Organization: Understanding internal processes and stakeholder needs within a large, global company like TRUMPF.

• Balancing Academics and Work: Effectively managing time to meet both academic requirements and project deadlines.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• UX Design Specialization: Gain hands-on experience in a professional UX environment, honing skills in prototyping, user research, and usability testing.

• Data-Driven Design: Develop expertise in using data analysis and visualization tools (like Power BI) to inform design decisions.

• Industry Understanding: Learn about the specific UX challenges and opportunities within the industrial technology sector.

• Professional Networking: Build relationships with industry professionals that can support long-term career growth.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges presented are typical for students entering a large, specialized company. The growth opportunities are framed around skill acquisition and practical application within TRUMPF's specific industry context.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a challenging UX project you worked on during your studies. What was your approach, and what were the key learnings?" (Focus on process, problem-solving, and self-reflection).

• "How would you approach gathering user requirements for a new feature in an industrial machine interface?" (Assess understanding of user research methods and context analysis).

Company & Culture Questions:

• "What interests you about working in UX within the high-tech manufacturing industry, specifically at TRUMPF?" (Demonstrate research and genuine interest).

• "How do you see yourself contributing to a collaborative team environment at TRUMPF?" (Highlight teamwork and communication skills).

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure: Organize your portfolio by project, clearly stating the problem, your role, the process, the solution, and the outcome/learnings.

• Visuals: Use high-quality mockups, wireframes, and prototype demonstrations. Ensure any data visualizations are clear and easy to understand.

• Storytelling: Narrate your projects, focusing on your problem-solving approach and design thinking.

• Conciseness: Be prepared to present key projects within a limited timeframe, highlighting the most relevant aspects for this role. Be ready to dive deeper into specific areas if asked.

📝 Enhancement Note: Interview preparation for this role should focus on demonstrating foundational UX knowledge, a structured approach to design, and an understanding of how UX fits into a larger product development context within an industrial setting. Highlighting any experience with data analysis and visualization will be a significant advantage.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Werkstudent (UX) position:

• Submit your application through the TRUMPF careers portal link provided.

• Tailor your CV and cover letter to highlight relevant coursework, academic projects, and any experience with UX design tools, MS Office, and specifically Power BI or data visualization. Emphasize your current enrollment in a relevant degree program.

• Curate your portfolio to showcase your strongest UX design work, including mockups, prototypes, and any user research documentation. If you have data visualization examples using Power BI or similar tools, ensure they are prominently featured.

• Prepare to discuss your design process and how you approach problem-solving in a structured, user-centric manner. Be ready to explain your understanding of UX principles and their application in a professional setting.

• Research TRUMPF's products and digital offerings to understand their market position and potential UX challenges. This will help you frame your interest and ask insightful questions during the interview.

⚠️ Important Notice: This enhanced job description includes AI-generated insights and operations industry-standard assumptions. All details should be verified directly with the hiring organization before making application decisions.