Prof. Dr. Jens Fürst, MBA

♾️ Professor Digital Factory & MedTech @ FAU 🏭 Principal Key Expert Digitalization & Automation @ Siemens Healthineers 🎓 Physicist 🚀 MBA Digital Transformation | Innovator with 70+ Patents

Erlangen, Bavaria, Germany

About

I am Professor of Digital Factory & MedTech at Friedrich-Alexander-University Erlangen-Nuremberg (FAU) and Principal Key Expert for Digitalization, Automation and Smart Factory Transformation at Siemens Healthineers. My mission is to bridge cutting-edge academic research with industrial practice in order to shape the future of digital and automated production systems in the MedTech industry. With more than 70 patents, I bring extensive experience in driving innovation across robotics, automation, integrated production systems, and digital transformation. My background as a physicist (Dr. rer. nat., University of Bayreuth) combined with an MBA in Digital Transformation enables me to connect scientific depth with strategic leadership. I am passionate about advancing healthcare technology through holistic digital factory concepts, fostering interdisciplinary collaboration, and empowering the next generation of engineers, innovators, and researchers. Key areas of expertise: • Digital Factory & Smart Manufacturing • Robotics & Automation • Innovation & Intellectual Property • Research, Teaching & Academic-Industry Collaboration • Digital Transformation & Leadership

Experience

  • Professor Digital Factory (MedTech | Robotics | Automation | Integrated Production Systems) at FAU Erlangen-Nürnberg
    Sep 2025 - Present · 10 mos

  • Siemens Healthineers (12 yrs 6 mos)
    • Head of Supply Chain Strategy & Automation @ Technology Center Power & Vacuum
      Feb 2024 - Present · 2 yrs 5 mos

    • Principal Key Expert Digitalization, Automation and SMART Factory Transformation @ Healthineers
      Apr 2022 - Present · 4 yrs 3 mos

      Responsible for the digitalization initiative in combination with cutting edge automation for realizing THE digital lighthouse project at Siemens Healthineers. The High-Energy-Photonic-Center will be the manifest for this approach and become a benchmark in the MedTech industry. Furthermore, I am driving this SMART factory transformation as a blue print for the whole company. Cooperating with the best in class partners, institutes and universities on digital transformation of the manufacturing industry. #smartfactory #digitaltransformation

    • Head Digitalization and Automation (Smart Factory)
      Jul 2019 - Mar 2022 · 2 yrs 9 mos

      Realizing the overall end-to-end digitalization in the Technology Center Power and Vacuum at Siemens Healthineers and combining intelligent automation approaches to the engineering and manufacturing area. Main focus is the realization of the new High Energy Photonic Center as a Industry 4.0 lighthouse factory for the X-ray generation chain.

  • MBA Digital Transformation at Fachhochschule des BFI Wien
    May 2022 - Jun 2023 · 1 yr 2 mos

    Successful completion of the "Master in Business Administration" as a master's degree with 90 ECTS. A master's course at the University of Applied Sciences in Vienna with the classic content of a "Master of Business Administration (MBA)". The course content was adapted and supplemented to the special requirements of digital transformation. Especially in today's age of digitalization and automation, this is an important milestone in expanding skills. #lifelonglearning

  • Project Manager at Siemens AG
    Apr 2011 - Jan 2014 · 2 yrs 10 mos

    In charge of an interdisciplinary research and development group to develop the latest high end x-ray tube assembly for Siemens' angiography and cardiology systems, called Gigalix. The new system was introduced to market during RSNA in 2012.

  • Siemens AG - Healthcare (Erlangen, Bavaria, Germany)
    • Department Head Innovation
      2007 - Apr 2011 · 4 yrs 4 mos

      In charge of a department for the development of multi source x-ray tubes, based on electron field emitters and thermo-ionic emitters. Several prototypes have been realized in cooperation with the Joint Venture company XinRay Systems in the USA. The applications range from medical through security to industrial use.

    • Corporate Technology
      2004 - 2007 · 3 yrs

      In charge of an international research group for organic semiconductors, especially for flat panel detectors for medical applications.