Experience reports
of our employees

"Every day brings new challenges and opportunities to broaden my professional horizons and continuously drive forward my enthusiasm for engineering and data-based innovations."

Why did you choose Rodenstock?
The decisive factor for my application was the recommendation of a fellow student who is already employed at Rodenstock. Her enthusiasm for the company and her insights into daily working life were confirmed during the interviews in the application process, which further aroused my curiosity about the topic of vision.
I encountered even more exciting challenges in the multifaceted position described to me, as I had little or no previous contact with the fields of engineering, optics, or spectacles. In addition to the range of tasks, the attractive working conditions served as another factor in my decision. Among other things, the collective labour agreement offers a good work-life balance thanks to flexible working hours.

What inspires you about Rodenstock and your work to this day?
The combination of different fields of activity is particularly stimulating: I work in engineering and mainly focusing on process development. I also specialize in project work, both as a team member and as the leader of my own projects. One project that I was privileged to lead and that I was particularly enthusiastic about was the construction of a new production line. This combination of technical engineering and data-driven analyses really fascinates me. It gives me the opportunity to develop innovative processes and gain deep insights into the correlations and optimization potential hidden in the data.

For whom is Rodenstock the right employer?
I am convinced that anyone who chooses Rodenstock must be open to new topics. It requires motivation to take on new challenges and familiarize yourself with a new area of expertise. This applies to departments such as product development, customer support or process management, where the connection to specific optical topics is particularly pronounced. Our employees have diverse professional backgrounds and therefore different ways of thinking and approaches, which they incorporate into projects and, as a joint result, bring completely new ideas and perspectives to our projects. - This diversity is part of our company's recipe for success.

How would you describe our corporate culture and what do you find unique? Which corporate values are important to you?
The corporate culture at Rodenstock is primarily based on consistently positive and very good cooperation between all employees: There is feedback and open exchange in every department. We are proud of our premium products and their quality because we could not invent, manufacture and sell them without the high standards our employees set for themselves. Going the extra mile, not settling for the first solution that presents itself,, critically and proactively questioning, including other opinions, wanting to surpass your own last result, investing passion, enhancing the quality of life for others - all these characteristics of our employees are reflected in the excellence of our products, which is deeply rooted in our corporate DNA.

What was your personal highlight at the company? What will you remember?
My personal highlight was my stay in Thailand, where we set up a new production line. During seven intensive weeks, I experienced a period full of challenges and significant experiences that have continued to shape me both personally and professionally. The knowledge gained and personal development from this period are invaluable. The direct collaboration with colleagues on-site was a highlight. The business trip to Thailand was not only an outstanding event, but a turning point in my career that has since inspired me to take on every new challenge and push my limits. I also have a lasting memory of the supportive atmosphere in my department: during my Master's degree, I was given the opportunity to reduce my working hours, enabling me to study flexibly. This encouragement of individual development shows me how much personal fulfilment is valued at Rodenstock.

What characterises our products for you?
Our product innovations are based on the unique nature of each customer's eye.The DNEye scanner enables individual adjustments to offer each customer the best possible visual experience. Our innovative strength sets us apart.

What are your future goals in the company?
My personal goals at Rodenstock are closely linked to my professional development. I am particularly interested in the topics of agility and resilience, as these skills are becoming increasingly important in everyday working life. I would also like to expand my knowledge of data analysis, statistics and programming (e.g. SQL, VBA). In the next few years, I see my focus increasingly shifting towards taking on project management tasks with increasing technical management responsibility. The paths my career can take at Rodenstock are varied and open and I am looking forward to further developing my skills, setting inceasingly higher goals for myself, thereby making a valuable contribution to the company's success.

"Rodenstock offers an exciting platform for anyone who enjoys experimenting, researching and inventing and at the same time enjoys understanding physiological relationships."

Why did you choose Rodenstock?
I became acquainted with Rodenstock during my studies at the "Opti" trade fair, which I attended regularly for family reasons. Winning a prize in a memory game at the company's stand left a lasting impression of Rodenstock in my mind. When I was looking for a job at the end of my physics degree, a very exciting position was advertised. At the same time, I recognized Rodenstock as an attractive employer, partly because I was immediately impressed by the development and production of ophthalmic lenses. The location of Munich was another factor in my decision, as I have lived here since my studies and doctorate. The offer was therefore a coherent overall package of positive and relevant aspects for me.

What inspires you about Rodenstock and your work to this day?
What still fascinates me about Rodenstock, and my work today are the innovative products that we develop - especially the contribution to improving the vision of individual people. This task is very rewarding for me, as the eye is a fundamental sensory organ for a better quality of life. It fills me with enthusiasm every time I do my bit to help people see better.

For whom is Rodenstock the right employer?
I work in research and development, which I appreciate. From my perspective, the company consistently presents itself as highly attractive to scientific staff and researchers. However, Rodenstock is not only an exciting employer for researchers: the versatility, the interdisciplinary interaction and the complexity of the topics are reflected in all the different spacialities, such as engineering, marketing and sales This environment thus provides dedicated, skilled professionals and leaders with ample development opportunities.

How would you describe our corporate culture and what do you find unique? Which corporate values are important to you?
Our corporate culture is multifaceted, and I think each department has its own little specialty culture. In our department, Research and Development (R&D), I find working together extremely pleasant, open-minded and communicative. Thanks to our strong innovative spirit, we can also get involved in somewhat unconventional topics. This receptiveness to more unusual ideas and discussions represents significant added value for me personally and is a crucial aspect of the corporate culture. A lot of value is also placed on further development and continuous learning. I greatly value the opportunity I've had to assume management responsibilities, leading to my development both professionally and personally.

What was your personal highlight at the company and what will you remember?
In addition to my professional development, our company events are very important to me, especially after the restrictions imposed by Corona. All colleagues from the interdisciplinary project teams meet up in person at Christmas parties or summer parties, laugh together and socialize. We have always managed to maintain social interaction and cohesion over time and revitalize it through various community activities, such as company sports (beach volleyball).

What characterizes our products for you?
As already mentioned, the meaningfulness of our work to enable people to see better with our spectacle lenses is something very special. This applies whether considering attributes that enhance wearing comfort - such as scratch resistance, anti-reflective coating, dirt resistance, weight, blue light filtering, and possibly the tinting of the lenses - or aspects that directly improve vision, such as in the case of varifocals.

What are your future goals in the company?
Many of our processes in measurement technology are strongly characterized by manual procedures, in which subjective elements often play a role due to the involvement of people. This means that measurements often depend on who carries them out and how. My personal ambition is to increasingly automate these processes in the future and make them more objective in order to achieve greater precision and reproducibility.

"What excites me most is the broad creative freedom and the great interaction among colleagues."

Why did you choose Rodenstock?
I have previously worked in the hearing care industry, so I have already had to deal with medical products. A product that is interesting to me increases people's quality of life. When I moved from Hamburg to Munich, it was very important to me to work in a medical technology company again. That is what fulfills me and where I know that my work performance makes a valuable contribution. I also find the internationality of Rodenstock exciting. What particularly excites me about my position is the global collaboration. That's what I was looking for and found at Rodenstock.

What inspires you about Rodenstock and your work to this day?
Every single employee can make a huge difference at Rodenstock. Conceptually, I often start on a greenfield site and get a lot of freedom for implementation. I was immediately warmly welcomed into our team. The supportive interaction and the togetherness inspire me to this day. On my first day at work, I was personally introduced to the various departments (Product Management and Research & Development). I clearly remember well how impressed I was at that time by the academic titles of my colleagues. And my impression at the time of the high technical competence and professionalism of the departments is now confirmed on a daily basis.

For whom is Rodenstock the right employer?
Rodenstock is the right employer for team players, because at Rodenstock we work not only in interdisciplinary but also international teams and everyone actively contributes in a motivated working environment. People who like to interact and network are in the right place here. The wonderful interaction with my colleagues and the resulting bundled expertise have a positive effect on product quality.

How would you describe our corporate culture and what do you find unique? Which corporate values are important to you?
I am convinced by the work-life balance at Rodenstock. The focus is on people. The team spirit is outstanding. In addition, there is flexibility in workplace design. This facilitates cross-divisional exchange, which is based on a dynamic and innovative working environment.

What was your personal highlight at the company and what will you remember?
In first place is the initiation of a global product community - this is where the accumulated international product knowledge now regularly comes together to exchange ideas and share best practices. Directly followed by another highlight: the founding of WIMPACT, our internal women's network. I really enjoy meeting and exchanging ideas with my female colleagues at Rodenstock. We have a lot of creative freedom when it comes to implementing projects. I am convinced that we will offer a wide range of events in the future to help women continue to develop personally and professionally.

What are your future goals in the company?
My goal is to exploit the given scope for creativity and thus contribute to the success of the company. I plan to stay with Rodenstock for a long time. I want to do my best and get to know even more exciting international colleagues. I would like to continue to help build up the internal women's network WIMPACT and provide modern impetus to further promote the advancement of women.

"Every day is different and brings new challenges that make us better at what we do together."

Why did you choose Rodenstock?
I have already chosen Rodenstock twice. The first was driven by my keen interest in the optical industry and the appeal of an innovative company with a long-standing tradition, which to me represents an interesting and secure employer. I think the social benefits are very good for today's working world. After an excursion into another industry, I deliberately chose Rodenstock a second time. Upon my return, I already knew that I was 100% convinced by the products. But even more important was the realization of how unique the teamwork is and how comfortable I feel there thanks to my colleagues and the internal cohesion. The ideal conditions for personal and professional development and I have now been able to take another step in my career.

What inspires you about Rodenstock and your work to this day?
Rodenstock is a flexible company whose agility and product quality never cease to inspire me. My area of responsibility is diverse and varied and brings with it many new contacts, not least due to the very international team collaboration, in which everyone has different priorities and goals. Thanks to our diversity, we contribute a wide range of creativity, perspectives, and innovations, which aids in our collective progression.

For whom is Rodenstock the right employer?
We have something for everyone who enjoys teamwork. Thanks to the friendly and open atmosphere in the specialist departments, anyone looking for a varied and exciting job can find something to suit their skills here. From creative realization in marketing and sales to finding highly scientific solutions in research and development. Over the last few years, I have gained deep insights into marketing and sales-orientated tasks. The optical industry, with all its challenges, is particularly appealing to me and gives me an extra boost of motivation.

How would you describe our corporate culture and what do you find unique? Which corporate values are important to you?
Individual and group performance and authenticity are highly valued and this is what characterizes Rodenstock. Employees are given a lot of responsibility and a great deal of room for decision-making, facilitating continuous personal and professional development "on the job". Over the last few years, I have witnessed many such "success stories". From former trainees who have risen to management positions as well as from career changers, including myself, who now manage a sales team. All doors are open to anyone who is keen and committed.

What was your personal highlight at the company and what will you remember?
It's not that easy to answer, especially because the last eight years at the company have been really enjoyable. My start at Rodenstock was a definite highlight for me After relocating, I was new to Germany and Munich, and due to my lack of previous optics knowledge and language barrier, I thought it might be a major challenge at the beginning. However, the team welcomed me so warmly and helpfully that I quickly found my feet in the city, not only professionally but also personally.

What are your future goals in the company?
My goal is continuous development and taking on new challenges. I would like to make a valuable contribution to the global development of the company by providing international support to markets and distributors. I want to pass on knowledge and use my social skills to promote the further development of employees in my team. I want to "live" our company values and pass on some of what I have received. The chance of a unique career in which I am challenged and encouraged.

"We are a strong team that combines new with old, traditional with modern through cultural change. This creates a lot of future potential which, together with the values of solidarity, cohesion, responsibility and standing up for each other, makes Rodenstock what it is today!"

Why did you choose Rodenstock?
I found my desire for a dynamic, international and future-oriented work environment at Rodenstock. Thanks to our Danish CEO, well-trained, international colleagues and a future-oriented corporate strategy, the Rodenstock Group is in an exciting phase of change. There is a focus on modernization, digitalization and flexibilization in production-related areas. This environment seemed so exciting to me that I couldn't say "no" - and I haven't regretted it to this day!

What inspires you about Rodenstock and your work to this day?
My work is very diverse and characterized by personal responsibility. Since I started, I have been shown a lot of appreciation. This creates a very positive working atmosphere, which in turn promotes enjoyment at work. The good work-life balance also motivates me.

For whom is Rodenstock the right employer?
If you have the intrinsic motivation and the inner need for change, you are right here! People with drive who want to continue tradition and at the same time question old thought patterns and adapt them to current circumstances in order to help shape the future and the further international growth course of Rodenstock. Independent work, a pronounced team spirit and close, cross-departmental cooperation create a working environment in which results are quickly visible. It goes without saying that quality is a top priority, both in our precision products and in our daily work.

How would you describe our corporate culture and what do you find unique? Which corporate values are important to you?
Rodenstock combines traditional values in a modern company. The traditional takes into account Rodenstock's origins, core values and high standards. The modern completes this with innovative ways of working, pragmatism and the drive for change.

What was your personal highlight at the company? What will you remember?
A few months after I started, I was allowed to supervise a project in Santiago de Chile and visit the site as part of this. Through a semester abroad and internship in Santiago during my studies, I built up a close bond with the country and its people. Returning to this setting, seeing my friends again and combining all this with an exciting project at the site was a wonderful start to my time at Rodenstock.

What are your future goals in the company?
I am open to new challenges. I can also well imagine a job rotation to one of our foreign sites. Since I am very satisfied with my development at Rodenstock so far, I trust my supervisor to discuss suitable challenges and opportunities with me. I am looking forward to the coming years here at Rodenstock!