Daniela Hein
‘For me, it was a degree course that opened up a whole host of opportunities afterwards.’
Mechanical engineering is one of the most popular subjects in Germany. According to Statista, around 80,000 students enrolled in this sought-after subject in the 2024/2025 winter semester. Dr Daniela Hein was ahead of her time. She decided to study mechanical engineering at the former University of Siegen back in 1995. She has been the managing director of the VDI Society for Product and Process Design since 2009.
What does a typical working day as managing director at the VDI look like? This question
is not so easy to answer. That's because there is no such thing as a routine workflow. ‘The work is extremely
varied,’ says Hein. The VDI has twelve specialist societies. These include departments ranging from A for
architecture to Z for reliability. This is unique for an association, as associations usually have a single focus,
such as the construction industry or the chemical industry. Here, things are a little different.
Daniela Hein is responsible for the specialist association ‘Product and Process Design’. There are specialist areas
ranging from technical sales and product management to classic product development, value analysis/value management,
safety and vibration technology. ‘Quite a colourful bouquet,’ she adds with a smile. Hein works in the non-profit
section of the VDI, the VDI e.V., which represents 130,000 members. Engineers, scientists and IT specialists can be
part of this community. She has been a full-time employee of this association since 2005.
During her studies, the 49-year-old first came into contact with the VDI through a product development guideline.
These guidelines reflect the state of the art. ‘There are guidelines that describe how to calculate screws, i.e. how
it must be done according to the state of the art so that it is safe and reliable,’ explains Hein. As there are
constantly new topics and fields of application, these guidelines must always be updated or completely new standards
set, thereby establishing rules for future technologies. These are developed in committees with volunteer experts.
As a project manager, Daniela Hein ensures that the process is adhered to and supports all experts in creating the
basis for innovation.
On some days, there are committee meetings where the team also addresses a wide range of overarching issues. These
committees not only develop guidelines, but also promote young talent and enthusiasm for technical professions, as
well as designing events and producing specialist publications. From today's perspective, it is immediately clear to
the team player: ‘Mechanical engineering was a degree that opened up a whole range of opportunities for me
afterwards.’
Success through community
Daniela Hein tells us what makes the VDI so special: ‘Everything that is created here is
the result of the knowledge and voluntary commitment of experts.’ Only a small number of employees, like Hein, are
full-time employees, i.e. employed by the VDI. Most of the work is done by volunteer experts. In her department, 600
volunteer experts contribute their knowledge and ideas to enrich the work of the VDI. ‘They sacrifice their time and
sometimes even take extra holiday when we have meetings,’ adds Hein. This is because, in addition to their voluntary
work, all the helpers have their main jobs to attend to.
Both sides benefit from this special working relationship. Volunteers contribute their professional expertise and,
in return, enjoy lively, constantly updated technical exchanges with each other.
Some volunteers are even honoured by special committees for their many years of service.
People from a wide variety of backgrounds also sit at the table in international committees. From salespeople to
engineers who calculate vibrations, everyone combines their knowledge, which Hein particularly likes: "The topics we
deal with are as colourful and diverse as the people themselves. It's also really exciting to work with other
cultures and see how different the working conditions and framework conditions can be in other countries." It's a
wide-ranging job, which also allows Hein to take part in company tours and gain interesting insights into various
companies and how they work.
Business trips have taken the globetrotter to a wide variety of continents. Whether it's international committees in
Paris or conferences in South Korea, working at VDI is never boring. This diversity opens up opportunities to
incorporate different cultural aspects into her work and to collaborate across departments, which not only ensures
success but also promotes good teamwork: ‘I feel that we have a great working relationship here because we are so
diverse.’
‘As an engineer, you really do have the opportunity to make the world a little bit better.’
Even as a child, Daniela Hein, unlike many young girls, loved building with Lego. She talked to her father, an
engineer who had technical knowledge of technological topics, and was immediately fascinated by these processes. Her
curiosity to understand everything to do with technology led her on a path in life and to a career that she has been
enthusiastic about for 20 years now: ‘What I really appreciate is being so close to the latest technological
developments and discussions.’ Even at a young age, the mother of two knew that she would one day study mechanical
engineering. After all, she was predestined for it. At school, she had a penchant for science and took advanced
courses in mathematics and physics in her A-levels. She is certain that this decision is exactly the right one for
her. Hein knows exactly what it means to pursue a career in engineering as a woman: ‘You have to be aware that you
are entering a man's world.’ But that's no problem for this power woman. Already at university, she is the only
woman in her semester and notices that there is a completely different tone among her fellow students. However, she
believes it is very important to work in diverse teams in order to gain different perspectives. Hein argues: ‘It is
extremely important to have both women and men in a team because women sometimes have a completely different view of
things and bring completely different perspectives to the table.’
Daniela Hein made a conscious decision to study in Siegerland. The city is not far from her home, where her family
and friends live, and the university is just the right size. ‘For me, Siegen was always the ideal place to study,’
recalls the dog owner. Thanks to the manageable size of the university at the time, Hein was able to establish close
contact with her fellow students, professors and staff, and quickly felt at home. To this day, the outgoing managing
director is still in touch with her fellow students, with whom she spent hours studying in the library, eating in
the cafeteria and partying at student parties.
During her studies, Hein took a basic value analysis seminar, which was taught by her professor's doctoral students
at the time. She recalls with a laugh: ‘Funnily enough, these are now the people who volunteer here and with whom I
work very closely.’ As fate would have it, she works with people she has known for almost 30 years.
After completing her studies, she will have the opportunity to do a PhD in vehicle recycling as part of a European
research project following her dissertation. Environmental issues such as resource conservation are topics that are
particularly close to her heart and make her realise: "As an engineer, you really do have the opportunity to make
the world a little bit better. For example, through the technological possibilities that you have and that you
research and develop, with which you can also change things." The feeling of doing something meaningful, such as
inspiring young people to take an interest in technology or providing members with assistance in their everyday
lives through the VDI guidelines, is one of the reasons why she loves her job.
After completing her doctorate at Ford in 2005, she worked for a long time at VDI in vehicle and transport
engineering before finally taking over as managing director of product and process design in 2009.
The considerate cooperation and good teamwork enable Hein to work part-time, which is very beneficial for her. This
allows her to balance family and work very well.
To make it easier to get started in engineering professions, she concludes by giving future engineering graduates a
few tips: ‘Stay curious and open-minded, continue your education, be prepared to learn throughout your life, and
expand the network you have built up during your studies.’ If you are willing to be communicative and open, approach
people and stand up for your own project, nothing stands in the way of success and happiness.
This portrait is based on an interview with Daniela Hein and was conducted and written by Duygu Cicek.