Siemens is a leading global technology company that focuses on industry, infrastructure, transport, and healthcare. Through its businesses Digital Industries, Smart Infrastructure, and Mobility and its majority stake in Siemens Healthineers, the company enables customers to electrify, automate, and digitally transform operations across the real economy. Siemens is a constituent of Germany’s DAX and operates with a presence in major markets worldwide.
Its open digital business platform, Siemens Xcelerator, simplifies digital transformation by combining a curated portfolio, an expanding partner ecosystem, and a marketplace. With a heritage dating back to 1847 and a track record of engineering firsts from the dynamo to modern industrial software Siemens remains recognized for reliability, quality, and innovation. Strategic initiatives such as the 2020 spin‑off of Siemens Energy and investments in software, AI, and rail technologies underline its focus on sustainable, resilient systems. For candidates, Siemens offers impact at scale and opportunities at the intersection of hardware and software.
This comprehensive guide provides essential insights into Siemens's operations, culture, and recruitment process, equipping readers with the knowledge needed to excel in interviews and understand the company's strategic direction.
1. Company Overview
About Siemens
Siemens AG is a global technology company focused on electrification, automation, and digitalization across industry, infrastructure, and transport, with healthcare delivered via its majority-owned subsidiary Siemens Healthineers. The company’s operating businesses Digital Industries, Smart Infrastructure, and Mobility combine hardware and software to help customers increase efficiency, resilience, and sustainability.
Siemens also offers Siemens Xcelerator, an open digital business platform that accelerates digital transformation through a curated portfolio, partner ecosystem, and marketplace. Headquartered in Germany and listed on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange, Siemens is a constituent of the DAX and is recognized for engineering excellence and trusted innovation.
| Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| Founded | 1847, as Telegraphen-Bauanstalt von Siemens & Halske in Berlin |
| Founders | Ernst Werner von Siemens and Johann Georg Halske |
| Industry | Industry, Infrastructure, Mobility, and Healthcare |
| Headquarters | Munich, Germany |
Company History
Trace Siemens's evolution through key periods, highlighting major transformations and growth phases.
- 1847 – Siemens & Halske was founded in Berlin by Werner von Siemens to develop telegraph technology.
- 1866 – Werner von Siemens discovered the dynamo-electric principle, making large-scale power generation possible.
- 1867 – Siemens completed the 11,000-km Indo-European telegraph line linking Europe and Asia.
- 1919 – Siemens co-founded OSRAM with AEG, becoming a major player in lighting technology.
- 1932 – Siemens-Reiniger-Werke was formed, establishing Siemens as a leader in medical technology.
- 1958 – Siemens launched SIMATIC, pioneering industrial automation systems.
- 1966 – The company was officially renamed Siemens AG.
- 1988 – Siemens was listed on Germany’s DAX stock index.
- 2014 – Siemens Healthineers was listed and Siemens Energy was later spun off as a separate company.
- 2020s – Siemens continues to lead globally in electrification, automation, and digitalization.
Key Milestones in Siemens History
Critical achievements that shaped Siemens's trajectory and market position.
| Year | Milestone |
|---|---|
| 1847 | Werner von Siemens founded Siemens & Halske in Berlin to develop telegraph technology. |
| 1866 | Discovered the dynamo-electric principle, enabling large-scale electricity generation. |
| 1867 | Completed the 11,000-km Indo-European telegraph line connecting Europe and Asia. |
| 1919 | Co-founded OSRAM with AEG, becoming a major force in global lighting technology. |
| 1932 | Formed Siemens-Reiniger-Werke, establishing leadership in medical technology. |
| 1958 | Launched SIMATIC, pioneering modern industrial automation systems. |
| 1966 | Officially renamed Siemens AG. |
| 1988 | Listed on Germany’s DAX stock index. |
| 2014 | Siemens Healthineers was listed and Siemens Energy was later spun off as a separate company. |
| 2020s | Continues global leadership in electrification, automation, and digitalization. |
2. Mission, Vision, and Values
Core principles and strategic direction sourced directly from Siemens's official website.
- Responsible: Committed to the highest ethical and professional standards, ensuring full legal compliance, zero tolerance for misconduct, and encouraging partners and stakeholders to uphold responsible business practices.
- Excellent: Driven by a culture of high performance and continuous improvement, delivering outstanding quality, results, and customer solutions while attracting and developing top talent.
- Innovative: Focused on innovation as a core strength, investing in research and creativity to develop sustainable, future-ready solutions that create long-term value for customers and society.
3. Comprehensive Product and Service Offerings
Siemens provides a portfolio that integrates hardware, software, and services across factories, buildings, energy systems, and transportation. Its operating companies Digital Industries, Smart Infrastructure, and Mobility offer automation and industrial software, building and grid technologies, and rail solutions, all supported by the Siemens Xcelerator digital business platform.
1.Digital Industries
Digital Industries focuses on automation, industrial software, and digitalization for discrete and process industries, enabling end-to-end workflows from design and engineering to operations and lifecycle services.
- SIMATIC: A comprehensive family of industrial automation systems (PLCs, HMIs, IPCs) that control and monitor machines and production lines with high reliability and scalability.
- TIA Portal: Totally Integrated Automation Portal, a unified engineering framework that streamlines configuration, programming, diagnostics, and commissioning across Siemens automation devices.
- Teamcenter: A leading product lifecycle management (PLM) platform that connects people and processes with a digital thread, supporting collaboration from requirements through manufacturing and service.
2.Smart Infrastructure
Smart Infrastructure connects energy systems, buildings, and industries with products, software, and services for electrification, power distribution, building automation, grid software, and eMobility.
- Desigo CC: An open building management platform that integrates HVAC, power, fire safety, security, and lighting for centralized monitoring and control of smart buildings and campuses.
- Siemens Grid Software: Software for grid planning, operation, and simulation that helps utilities and operators manage increasingly distributed and decarbonized power systems.
- Siemens eMobility (Charging): AC and DC charging hardware, software, and services for electric vehicles, supporting depot, destination, and home charging with scalable, interoperable solutions.
3.Mobility
Siemens Mobility delivers rolling stock, rail automation and electrification, turnkey systems, and related services to improve availability, capacity, and passenger experience for rail operators worldwide.
- Velaro (High-Speed Trains): A family of high-speed multiple units engineered for efficient, reliable operation on international routes, designed for comfort, safety, and lifecycle performance.
- Trainguard (ETCS/CBTC): Signaling solutions for mainline and urban rail supporting ETCS and CBTC to enhance safety, automation, and capacity on existing and new infrastructure.
- Railigent X: A digital services platform that uses data analytics to optimize fleet availability, maintenance planning, and asset performance across rail systems.
4.Siemens Xcelerator
Siemens Xcelerator is an open digital business platform that brings together a curated portfolio of software, IoT-enabled hardware, and services with a growing partner ecosystem and marketplace to accelerate digital transformation.
- Mendix: A low-code application development platform that enables enterprises to build, integrate, and deploy applications rapidly, extending industrial workflows and data.
- MindSphere: Industrial IoT capabilities for connecting assets, collecting data, and enabling analytics-driven insights across operations as part of the Xcelerator portfolio.
- Industrial Operations X: A portfolio of modular software and services for manufacturing operations management, connecting the shopfloor to the cloud for closed-loop optimization.
5.Healthcare (via Siemens Healthineers)
Siemens Healthineers, a separately listed company majority owned by Siemens, provides medical technology and digital health solutions spanning diagnostic imaging, in vitro diagnostics, and image-guided therapy.
- MAGNETOM (MRI Systems): Magnetic resonance imaging scanners designed for clinical excellence and workflow efficiency across routine and advanced applications.
- SOMATOM (CT Scanners): Computed tomography systems that deliver high image quality and dose-efficient scanning for diverse clinical needs.
- Atellica Solution: A flexible immunoassay and clinical chemistry platform that streamlines diagnostics with standardized operations across laboratory networks.
4. Financial Performance Highlights
Stock Performance
Siemens AG is publicly listed on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange (Xetra) and is a constituent of Germany’s DAX index within the Industrials sector. In the most recent period, the share price has been influenced by demand for factory automation and grid technologies, order intake in Digital Industries and Smart Infrastructure, and broader capital‑spending trends.
The performance reflects investor focus on Siemens’ strategy to expand software‑centric automation and electrification (including via the Siemens Xcelerator platform) and on disciplined portfolio management in support of durable growth.
Financial Metrics Table
Key indicators monitored by investors include segment revenue and margin development (especially in Digital Industries and Smart Infrastructure), order intake and backlog dynamics, free cash flow, net debt, and returns such as ROCE and ROE under IFRS reporting. The mix shift toward software and recurring revenue, alongside disciplined capital allocation and efficiency programs, helps assess the sustainability of growth and profitability.
5. Key Competitors of Siemens:
Siemens faces strong global competition across automation, electrification, grid, and rail from ABB Ltd, Schneider Electric SE, Rockwell Automation, Inc., GE Vernova Inc., and Alstom SA. These companies challenge Siemens on product breadth, digital platforms, and execution in large projects, competing for share in factory automation, energy management and grid modernization, and rolling stock and signaling.
1. ABB Ltd
ABB is a Swiss-based technology company focused on electrification, motion, process automation, and robotics, competing directly with Siemens in electrification and industrial automation.
- Overview: Global provider of electrification products, automation systems, motion drives, and robotics with digital solutions under ABB Ability.
- Services: Electrical distribution and protection, industrial control and safety systems, drives and motors, robotics, and industrial software and services.
- Market Position: Major global peer in electrification and automation with a broad installed base across process and discrete industries.
2. Schneider Electric SE
Schneider Electric is a French multinational specializing in energy management and industrial automation, overlapping with Siemens in buildings, data centers, and industrial control.
- Overview: Focused on medium/low-voltage distribution, building management, and automation solutions enabled by the EcoStruxure platform.
- Services: Electrical distribution equipment, building and power management systems, PLCs and drives, industrial software, and lifecycle services.
- Market Position: Large global competitor in energy management and building/industrial automation with strong presence in infrastructure and data centers.
3. Rockwell Automation, Inc.
Rockwell Automation is a U.S.-based pure-play industrial automation company that competes with Siemens in discrete automation, control, and industrial software.
- Overview: Provider of factory automation hardware and software under the Allen‑Bradley and FactoryTalk portfolios.
- Services: PLCs and safety controllers, drives, MES/SCADA and analytics software, and lifecycle services for industrial customers.
- Market Position: Key competitor in discrete automation with a strong North American footprint and expanding global software and services capabilities.
4. GE Vernova Inc.
GE Vernova, the energy-focused company spun out of General Electric, competes with Siemens in grid technologies and electrification infrastructure.
- Overview: Operates across power, wind, and electrification businesses, including Grid Solutions and energy software.
- Services: High-voltage equipment and grid solutions, power generation equipment and services, and energy management software.
- Market Position: Significant global competitor in grid modernization and power infrastructure markets.
5. Alstom SA
Alstom is a French rail transport company that competes with Siemens Mobility in rolling stock, signaling, and rail services worldwide.
- Overview: Designs and manufactures trains and signaling systems with a large services and maintenance footprint.
- Services: Rolling stock (metros, high-speed and regional trains), signaling and train control, and maintenance services.
- Market Position: Major global rail OEM and signaling provider competing with Siemens in multiple regions and tenders.
6. Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR):
Siemens demonstrates its commitment to social impact through comprehensive Corporate Social Responsibility programs. The company's initiatives span environmental sustainability, community development, education, and social welfare, reflecting its dedication to creating positive change beyond business operations.
DEGREE sustainability framework
Siemens’ company-wide ESG framework DEGREE (Decarbonization, Ethics, Governance, Resource efficiency, Equity, Employability) guides its CSR and sustainability agenda. It sets measurable ambitions across climate action and responsible business, including achieving net-zero in the company’s own operations by 2030, advancing circularity and resource efficiency, upholding rigorous ethics and governance standards, fostering equity and inclusion, and strengthening lifelong learning for the workforce.
Education and skills: Siemens Professional Education
Through Siemens Professional Education (SPE) and country programs such as the Siemens Scholarship Program in India, Siemens invests in high-quality vocational training, apprenticeships, dual study programs, and upskilling. The focus is on future-ready skills in areas like automation, digitalization, and sustainability, developed in partnership with schools, universities, and public agencies. These initiatives expand access for diverse learners and improve employability and industry readiness.
Humanitarian relief via Siemens Caring Hands e.V.
Siemens Caring Hands e.V. is a charitable association supported by Siemens companies, employees, and partners that provides rapid, needs-based aid after disasters and crises. Funds are directed to trusted relief organizations to deliver emergency assistance, medical supplies, shelter, and reconstruction support for example in response to pandemics, earthquakes, floods, and humanitarian emergencies benefiting affected communities worldwide.
Responsible supply chain and human rights due diligence
Siemens operates a comprehensive human-rights and responsible sourcing program aligned with the Siemens Supplier Code of Conduct and the German Supply Chain Due Diligence Act (LkSG). The approach includes risk-based screening, ESG assessments and audits, supplier training and engagement, and accessible grievance/reporting channels. It aims to identify, prevent, and mitigate risks such as forced labor, unsafe working conditions, and environmental harm across the value chain.
Siemens Stiftung: education, basic services, and culture
Siemens Stiftung an independent, non-profit foundation established by Siemens AG advances social impact in education, basic services, and culture. Working with partners in Africa, Latin America, and Europe, it strengthens STEM education, supports social enterprises that improve access to essential services (such as energy, water, and healthcare), and promotes cultural initiatives, thereby creating opportunities for learners and communities.
Equity, Diversity & Inclusion (ED&I)
As part of the “Equity” and “Employability” pillars of the DEGREE framework, Siemens promotes a diverse, inclusive workplace and equal opportunities. Initiatives include inclusive hiring and career development, mentoring and leadership programs, pay-equity and accessibility efforts, flexible work policies, and employee networks. Progress is monitored to embed inclusion in culture and processes across the company.
7. Career Opportunities at Siemens
Siemens offers diverse career paths across its global operations, providing opportunities for professionals at various stages of their careers. The company's commitment to talent development and inclusive growth creates an environment where individuals can build meaningful and impactful careers.
Job Profiles and Departments
Explore the wide range of professional opportunities available across Siemens's organizational structure:
- Digital Industries (Automation & Software): Work on industrial automation, motion control, and engineering software across platforms such as SIMATIC, SINAMICS, and the Siemens Xcelerator portfolio (including Mendix, Teamcenter, NX). Roles include software engineers, automation engineers, data scientists, product managers, and solution architects. Skills in control systems, PLCs, OT/IT integration, cloud/edge, and digital twins are valued. Career paths span technical expert, product leadership, and global solution delivery.
- Smart Infrastructure (Buildings & Grids): Design and deliver intelligent building automation, power distribution, grid edge solutions, and energy management. Positions include electrical engineers, building automation specialists, energy efficiency consultants, project managers, and field service engineers. Expertise in low/medium voltage, HVAC controls, SCADA, cybersecurity for buildings, and sustainability consulting enables progression to project/program leadership and domain specialist roles.
- Mobility (Rail Systems & Services): Contribute to rolling stock, rail automation and signaling, electrification, and lifecycle services. Opportunities include systems engineers, RAMS/validation engineers, software engineers for signaling, operations planners, and service technicians. Knowledge of ETCS/CBTC, digital rail, and systems integration supports advancement into systems architecture, large-scale program management, and global delivery roles.
- Siemens Advanta (Digital Transformation & Consulting): Advise and implement end-to-end digital transformation from strategy to execution, including IoT/AI solutions, cloud/edge architectures, and data platforms. Roles include strategy consultants, solution engineers, cloud architects, scrum masters, and product owners. Skills in industry domain knowledge, agile delivery, and ecosystem integration provide pathways to practice leadership and solution portfolio ownership.
- Siemens Financial Services (SFS): Enable customer adoption of technology through financing and risk solutions across energy, industry, mobility, and healthcare. Roles include risk analysts, asset managers, project finance specialists, and structured finance professionals. Financial modeling, risk management, and sector expertise support growth into portfolio leadership and regional business head roles.
- Corporate Functions & Cybersecurity: Drive company-wide impact in IT, cybersecurity, supply chain, sustainability, legal, HR, and communications. Security engineers, SOC analysts, procurement specialists, ESG professionals, and HR business partners develop enterprise capabilities. Skills in zero-trust, ERP/PLM, responsible business practices, and stakeholder management enable advancement to functional leadership and global CoE roles.
Growth and Development Opportunities
Siemens invests significantly in employee development through structured programs and initiatives:
- Siemens Graduate Program (SGP): A competitive 24-month rotational program with two to three assignments, often including an international rotation. Participants receive mentoring from senior leaders, structured learning, and exposure to core businesses (Digital Industries, Smart Infrastructure, Mobility). The program builds cross-functional skills and prepares graduates for impactful roles post-program.
- Learning Campus & My Learning World: Continuous upskilling via Siemens Learning Campus and the My Learning World platform, offering curated learning paths in automation, software, AI, data, leadership, and compliance. Employees access role-based academies, certifications, and blended learning with on-the-job application and coaching.
- Global Mobility & Cross-Functional Exposure: International assignments, short-term projects, and global collaboration enable employees to build cross-cultural competencies and domain breadth. Opportunities to move between engineering, product, delivery, and customer-facing roles support holistic career growth.
- Innovation & Entrepreneurship: Employees collaborate with expert communities, participate in hackathons and innovation challenges, and leverage Siemens Xcelerator technologies to incubate solutions. Partnerships with technology leaders and access to venture ecosystems foster intrapreneurial initiatives and rapid prototyping.
- Diversity, Inclusion & Flexible Work: Under the DEGREE framework, Siemens advances equity, inclusion, and well-being. Flexible, hybrid work (mobile working as standard where roles allow), employee networks, and competitive benefits support inclusive growth and work–life balance.
8. Future Outlook and Strategic Plans
This section presents Siemens's official strategic direction based on investor presentations, press releases, and sustainability reports. All information is sourced from verified company communications and reflects confirmed initiatives and goals.
Siemens's future strategy is structured around key focus areas designed to align with global market trends and industry evolution:
1. Digital Transformation and Industrial AI
Siemens is scaling its open digital business platform, Siemens Xcelerator, to simplify and accelerate digital transformation for industry, infrastructure, and mobility. The strategy focuses on interoperable hardware and software, cloud and edge deployments, open APIs, and robust partner ecosystems.
By combining domain expertise with digital twins and AI, Siemens aims to shorten time-to-market, improve quality, and enable resilient, data-driven operations. The company is deepening collaborations with technology leaders to bring generative AI into engineering and operations workflows, while continuing to transition core software to SaaS for flexibility and faster innovation cycles.
- Expansion of the Siemens Xcelerator portfolio across software, hardware, and services with an open, modular architecture
- Launch of Siemens Industrial Copilot with Microsoft to bring generative AI to engineering and manufacturing use cases
- Strategic partnership with NVIDIA to advance the industrial metaverse using physics-based digital twins
- Ongoing shift of PLM/CAD/CAE products (e.g., Teamcenter X, NX, Mendix) to SaaS to increase recurring software revenue
2. Sustainability and ESG (DEGREE)
Under its DEGREE framework, Siemens embeds sustainability into strategy and operations across Decarbonization, Ethics, Governance, Resource efficiency, Equity, and Employability.
The company targets net-zero operations, accelerates supplier decarbonization, and enables customers to reduce emissions through efficient electrification, automation, and digital solutions. Resource efficiency, circularity, and responsible business practices are integrated into product design and supply chains, while equity and employability commitments support an inclusive workforce with future-ready skills.
- Target: achieve net-zero in own operations (Scope 1 and 2) by 2030
- Carbon Reduction@Suppliers program to drive Scope 3 decarbonization in the value chain
- Transition to 100% green electricity across operations by 2030
- Circularity initiatives in manufacturing and service to extend asset life and reduce waste
3. Market Expansion
Siemens is expanding in high-growth markets including electrification, automation, e-mobility, data centers, and semiconductor manufacturing. The strategy combines portfolio sharpening, targeted acquisitions, and local-for-local manufacturing to strengthen regional resilience and customer proximity. The company is enhancing service and software-led offerings, while scaling manufacturing footprints in strategic regions to meet demand for sustainable infrastructure and digital industries.
- Acquisition of Heliox (closed in 2024) to strengthen eMobility fast-charging portfolio
- New high-tech digital factory in Singapore as part of a global investment program to expand capacity
- Technology campus investment in Erlangen, Germany, to scale power electronics and future technologies
- Expansion of offerings for data centers and semiconductors with grid, power, and automation solutions
4. Innovation and R&D
Innovation remains central to Siemens, with sustained, multi-billion-euro annual R&D investments focused on electrification, automation, and digitalization. The company advances comprehensive digital twin technologies, edge/cloud software, and AI to create resilient, efficient systems. Siemens is augmenting its global innovation footprint with new facilities and campus investments, and by co-innovating with partners and customers through ecosystems that accelerate prototyping and scale-up.
- Global investment program of around €2 billion announced to expand manufacturing and innovation capacity
- New technology campus in Erlangen, Germany, focused on future power electronics and digital production
- Co-innovation with partners such as Microsoft and NVIDIA to accelerate AI-enabled engineering
- Ongoing evolution of Xcelerator software (e.g., Teamcenter, NX, Mendix, Simcenter) with cloud-first capabilities
5. Talent and Workforce Strategy
Siemens prioritizes human capital development to support its technology leadership. The company’s workforce strategy emphasizes continuous learning, diverse and inclusive teams, and flexible, hybrid work. Global graduate and early-career programs build future leaders, while role-based academies and digital learning platforms foster skills in automation, software, AI, and sustainability. Policies supporting mobile working and well-being help attract and retain top talent.
- Siemens Graduate Program and early-career pipelines across core businesses
- Equity and inclusion initiatives under the DEGREE framework
- Enterprise-wide upskilling via Learning Campus and My Learning World
- Hybrid, mobile working model implemented globally where roles allow
6. Financial Performance and Capital Allocation
Siemens aims for sustainable, high-quality growth with disciplined capital allocation. Priorities include organic investment in core businesses, targeted portfolio moves to strengthen strategic positions, and maintaining an attractive shareholder return profile. Operational excellence and digitalization drive productivity and margin resilience across cycles.
- Focus on outgrowing underlying markets in core segments with high-value growth
- Targeted M&A and portfolio optimization to reinforce strategic businesses
- Progressive dividend policy and ongoing share buyback programs as approved by the AGM
- Productivity and cost excellence programs enabled by digitalization and lean operations
9. Latest News & Updates about Siemens
Stay informed about Siemens's recent developments, announcements, and industry recognition through curated news coverage.
10. Conclusion
Founded in 1847, Siemens has evolved into a global technology leader in electrification, automation, and digitalization. The company advances industry, infrastructure, and mobility through domain expertise and an open digital portfolio under Siemens Xcelerator. Guided by its DEGREE framework, Siemens integrates sustainability and responsible business practices into strategy, while investing in innovation, partnerships, and modern manufacturing.
With targeted portfolio actions and disciplined capital allocation, Siemens is positioned to capture growth in e-mobility, data centers, semiconductors, and smart infrastructure, while accelerating Industrial AI and digital twin adoption for customers worldwide.
For candidates, Siemens offers meaningful work at scale building greener grids, smarter factories, and more efficient mobility. Clear career pathways exist across engineering, software, consulting, finance, and corporate functions, supported by the Siemens Graduate Program, Learning Campus, and a hybrid work model. Employees gain global exposure, collaborate with leading partners, and access cutting-edge tools in automation, AI, and digital twins. If you seek to grow in a purpose-driven, innovation-focused environment, Siemens provides the platform to develop deep expertise and make a lasting impact.
Key Takeaways for Aspiring Siemens Candidates
- Research and Preparation: Thoroughly understand Siemens's business model, recent developments, and strategic initiatives. Stay updated on industry trends and the company's competitive positioning to demonstrate genuine interest and knowledge during interviews.
- Cultural Alignment: Familiarize yourself with Siemens's values, mission, and corporate culture. Prepare examples from your experience that demonstrate alignment with these principles and showcase how you can contribute to the company's objectives.
- Technical Competency: Develop relevant skills and knowledge specific to your target role at Siemens. Understand the technical requirements and industry standards that apply to your area of interest within the organization.
- Industry Awareness: Stay informed about broader industry trends, challenges, and opportunities that affect Siemens's business. This knowledge will help you engage in meaningful discussions about the company's strategic direction and market position.