Precision positioning actuators and components for industrial automation
PI manufactures piezoelectric drives, actuators, and positioning systems with a vertically integrated design and production footprint across Germany and the US. The tech stack (MATLAB, C++, Ansys, SolidWorks, LabVIEW, VHDL, ModelSim) reflects heavy simulation and firmware work typical of electromechanical hardware; active projects in multiscale modeling and actuator behavior simulation signal continued investment in design fidelity. Hiring remains minimal (2 roles in 30 days) despite a 1,790-person headcount, with a pronounced intern-to-mid-level ratio in engineering and manufacturing—consistent with a mature, stable manufacturing operation.
Founded in 1970, PI manufactures precision positioning technology for industrial automation, including piezoelectric drives, linear and magnetic actuators, hexapods, parallel-kinematics platforms, and integrated sensor solutions. The company operates as a privately held, vertically integrated manufacturer with 1,790 employees globally, headquartered in Karlsruhe, Germany, with active hiring in Germany and the United States. Core competencies span piezoceramic component design, electromagnetic and inertia-drive engineering, and custom motion control systems. The business model emphasizes direct customer partnerships and in-house capability across design, simulation, manufacturing, and support.
PI's stack includes MATLAB, Ansys, SolidWorks, LabVIEW, ModelSim, VHDL, and Vivado—tools for electromechanical simulation, CAD, FPGA design, and firmware development. Projects in multiscale modeling and piezoelectric actuator simulation are active.
Active projects include multiscale modeling of piezo ceramics, simulation of piezoelectric actuator behavior, test fixture development, manufacturing process optimization, internal automation, and implementation of consolidation tools for data consistency.
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