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As of December 2022, Bosch is undergoing a large-scale recruitment project. This is due to changes in the global environment and the automotive industry. What type of associates is Bosch looking for? What is the attractiveness of Bosch as an employer? How can associates build their careers at Bosch? Takako Isobe and Daisuke Abe, who are promoting the recruitment project, talk about Bosch.

[Video] Bosch management talks about career development for software engineers

*Please note that the audio will start when you press the play button.

If you would like to watch a video about Bosch's recruitment project, please view the YouTube video above. (Video: Japanese language)

This article will describe in detail the background of the recruitment project and the type of associates that Bosch is looking for, including additional information that is not covered in the video.

Increased recruitment of software engineers, in line with business expansion and changes in work styles

First of all, please tell us about the background of this recruitment project.

Isobe: As the automotive industry is transforming, Bosch needs to expand its business in fields that are different than before. In the future, control of software and control of central ECUs will also increase. As such, in order to expand our competence, we decided to increase both external recruitment and in-house training for associates.

What kind of skills and experience are you looking for in applicants?

Abe: The majority are engineers, especially those with experience in software development and system development. On the other hand, we are also looking for people who are good at project management because the scale of development will be large.

Isobe: The proportion of engineers will increase, but as the business expands, we will need to increase the number of associates who can handle sales and project management, as well as other business-related occupations.

Abe: Until now, the business has been to sell hardware with software in it. However, in the future, there is a possibility that business will emerge that provides only software, and it operates on hardware that is not made by Bosch. We also need associates who can cultivate and develop that.

In terms of mindset, what type of associates is Bosch looking for?

Isobe: Bosch is a global company, so I think it is better to enjoy working on a global scale. Since we are a company with high technical capabilities, we would like to recruit people who are interested in technology and who are eager to flexibly take on challenges in response to various changes that may occur in the future.

Abe: Also, I think Bosch is better suited to people who find enjoyment in thinking about what should be done and the best way to do it, and making proposals themselves, rather than working according to instructions from above. Bosch has a culture where people can openly make proposals, so it is a comfortable working environment for those who want to think and act on their own.

How did you decide to increase recruitment of engineers?

Abe: Until now, it has been common for Bosch to adapt products developed in Germany to Japanese customer requirements. However, due to the diversification of customer requirements and the unique situation in Japan, there is a movement to carry out basic development more and more in Japan.

In addition, due to the coronavirus pandemic, we have found that it is possible to work remotely. As such, one of the factors is that each region is now able to take responsibility for development, which until now had been concentrated in Germany.

In the future, Japan will become more important than ever. I am developing ADAS systems (Advanced Driver Assistance Systems), and there are many situations in Japan that are not found in Germany, such as parking methods and Level 2 automated driving on Metropolitan Expressways in the greater Tokyo area of Japan. Japanese customers have high expectations for us, so we are trying to create systems in Japan.

In this context, what are your roles?

Abe: The business division and the Human Resources Department are working together to form a recruitment task force. The task force is divided into several teams, and if there is a problem in a team, management will take action such as providing support. I am responsible for the management of the business division.

Isobe: I am in charge of the Human Resources Department and the leader of the strategic field called "Employer of Choice". I am working to connect the German head office with the Human Resources Department and business divisions in Japan, in order to disseminate information to people outside the company so that they will become more aware of the attractiveness and strengths of Bosch.

Global, advanced, tech-focused. Being able to pursue the career you want is the attractiveness of Bosch.

Please tell us about the attractiveness of working at Bosch.

Isobe: There is a lot of rotation within the company, and it is attractive that you can work both in Japan and overseas. You can receive training for each function, so you can develop your abilities with a global perspective.

Abe: I have heard that in Japanese companies, it is common for people to suddenly receive appointments and be assigned to departments they did not want at all. Basically Bosch is not like that, and you can think about your plan and shape a long-term career on your own in consultation with your boss. I think the fact that this creates a sense of fulfillment and satisfaction is a major attraction of Bosch.

What kind of career can you build at Bosch?

Isobe: The careers that can be formed are truly diverse. You can change divisions and work on different products, or you can build a career not only in Japan but also overseas. There is also a path of going from being an engineer to being a sales person, and having a thorough understanding of the product and conveying its merits to customers.

For example, my subordinate had a desire since joining Bosch to work in Germany, where our head office is located. It would be difficult without any experience, so after gaining some experience, my subordinate went abroad and still works in Germany. I think this kind of successful experience is unique to Bosch.

Abe: In a typical company, I think you would start as a person in charge of something, become a group leader, move on to become a section manager, and then be promoted to department manager. Bosch, on the other hand, is currently considering a non-rotating engineering career path. If you become an expert as an engineer, you will be able to deepen and focus in one place while your salary will increase, just like the line.

Isobe: It is very good for someone who wants to pursue technology but does not want to become a section manager or department manager.

Abe: Bosch, as a technology company, needs such associates.

What else is appealing about careers at Bosch?

Isobe: The organization is flat, and there is a system in place that allows talented associates to be entrusted with positions of responsibility from a young age. We have been entrusted with tasks since we were relatively young, and I think that one of Bosch's major characteristics is that it does not have a stance of waiting when it comes to doing one's best.

Abe: I think there is also the appeal of changing jobs from different industries. One of my subordinates was in charge of software and semiconductors. He had knowledge of software, but not about safety, security, or other automotive matters. However, those things can be learned at Bosch. As a result, now he has knowledge of both software and automobiles, and was promoted very quickly to department manager.

There are associates who have been involved in home appliances, mobile phones, image processing, and so on. I think it is interesting to change jobs from different industries. There are many cases in which past experience can be put to use in automated driving, and work can be done more dynamically.

How can someone check which departments are recruiting?

Abe: We have a system in which open positions at Bosch Global can be viewed by someone at any time within the company's network. You can check the departments that are recruiting in Japan and overseas, so you can apply freely if what you want to do matches the content of the open recruitment.

Isobe: Since positions from all over the world are registered, there are times when you can discover places that you might not have thought of before.

Collect and give back feedback from associates. Use frank opinions in recruitment activities.

Is there anything you would like associates to help with in hiring?

Abe: I would love to hear about the good points and bad points that Bosch associates feel in their daily work. There may be things that we have not realized, so if someone tells us, it will not only be useful for recruitment activities, but I think we can also give back to associates as well.

Isobe: Bosch is thoughtful about what needs to be improved as a company, and we conduct a lot of surveys to constantly research what our associates want. We use the improvements we find in our next steps, so having such a culture from the beginning is one of Bosch's strengths.

Abe: The labor union is also a very important partner in improving the company. Based on everyone's opinions, we are working together while discussing and setting priorities about what to do and when to implement them.

Isobe: We would appreciate if associates would convey the positive aspects of Bosch that they feel while working, as that will also encourage us.

The frank opinions of associates are also useful in recruiting activities.

Abe: That is right. Also, many new members join us every year, and I think it is necessary to have a thorough acceptance process and cooperate with each other. I think there are some people who have competencies that we do not have, but there are very strict regulations in the automobile industry because people's lives are entrusted in them, so we must never leave them out. I hope that new associates will be fully informed of the strict rules.

Does Bosch also use referral recruiting?

Isobe: Yes. People who were introduced join Bosch after having a good understanding of the company, so there are few mismatches. In order to expand the business widely in the future, we would like to recruit as much as possible so that there are no mismatches. Referral recruiting also has perks for the associates who are introduced, so I would like people to make full use of it.

Bosch's strength is being able to work in a flexible environment while being involved in cutting-edge technology

Please tell us again about Bosch's good points for those who are considering joining the company in the future.

Abe: I think that being able to experience cutting-edge technology is extremely appealing. I myself am very impressed when I get into a car with automated driving Level 2.

In addition, although there are many new technologies and ideas, it is not easy to actually turn them into products and put them out into the world. I think there are many companies that cannot do that. Associates at Bosch, on the other hand, can see what Bosch has developed around town. It is very motivating to be able to say things to your child, such as, "Your father was involved in making that car."

Indeed, it can be said that the high level of technical ability is attractive.

Abe: That is right. ADAS and automatic braking are becoming popular, but they are still new fields, so the development methods are also new. Therefore, you can feel the enjoyment of creating a product, such as promoting new development methods together with the Japanese automobile manufacturers who are our customers. Associates work not only within Bosch, but also with automakers as a team. I hope that people who find this appealing and attractive will join Bosch.

I have talked about a lot of good things, but there are also a lot of challenging things. For example, when a project reaches its peak, we work hard. I would like people to have expectations along with determination.

Thank you. What other advantages does Bosch have besides technical capabilities?

Isobe: I think Bosch is a company with many good people. Bosch has good people, a flat organizational structure, and a good working environment, so I feel that being an overall comfortable company is one of our strengths.

Bosch also made rapid progress in working from home due to the coronavirus pandemic, and after that, we started a system called "Smart Work" as a new normal from October 2022. I think associates can work in a flexible environment because each department can discuss whether to work from home or the office and have some freedom in designing the work style.

Also, I feel that it is easy to work at Bosch because it is a global company. At first, I was surprised that associates are given the chance regardless of gender or age. If you want to challenge yourself, I think you can attain career opportunities in Japan and overseas.

I now have a good understanding of the attractiveness of working at Bosch and the associates that Bosch is looking for.

If you are interested in Bosch after reading this interview, please watch the video.

Click here for the video (Japanese language)