Rheinmetall recruits laid-off auto workers
Rheinmetall recruits laid-off auto workers to accelerate the expansion of its defense production in Germany. The firm is drawing from workers released by large employers, especially the auto sector, according to available reports. Meanwhile, European defense manufacturers are ramping output as demand rises linked to the war in Ukraine.
Application surge: 120,000 for 3,000 German roles
Interest is intense. rheinmetall job applications 2025 totaled about 120,000 for more than 3,000 postings in Germany during the first half, the HR chief said. “Auf mehr als 3’000 Stellen … 120’000 Bewerbungen,” she noted. Additionally, the company plans to advertise roughly 8,000 roles globally in 2025, about half newly created.
Zoom in:
- By the numbers: 120,000 applications for 3,000 German postings (H1 2025).
- About 8,000 job ads globally in 2025; roughly half are new roles.
- This volume signals sustained employer appeal.
Consequently, rheinmetall job applications 2025 confirm a strong labor pipeline for 2025 and beyond.
Why Rheinmetall recruits laid-off auto workers now
A wave of german auto layoffs has created a ready pool of experienced workers. Therefore, Rheinmetall can fill production roles faster and reduce onboarding bottlenecks. This targeted move aligns hiring with urgent capacity needs.
Perception shift boosts employer appeal
“Der Mentalitätswandel ist enorm, vor allem in den vergangenen zwei bis drei Jahren,” said HR executive Monica Wertheim. “Wir sind im Moment sehr attraktiv.” As a result, perception tailwinds are aiding recruitment.
Expansion targets: workforce and revenue
Rheinmetall aims to grow its global workforce to about 40,000 by 2027, up from 30,640 in mid-2025. CEO Armin Papperger recently raised the armin papperger revenue target 2030 to €50 billion. Therefore, staffing and output must scale in tandem to meet the armin papperger revenue target 2030.
Timeline: hiring milestones and targets
- H1 2025: 120,000 applications for 3,000 German roles.
- 2025: Around 8,000 global job ads, with about half new posts.
- 2027: Global workforce targeted at roughly 40,000.
- 2030: Revenue goal lifted to €50 billion.
What’s next
What’s next: Continued 2025 job advertising and onboarding will test execution. Rheinmetall recruits laid-off auto workers remains central to meeting staffing plans as defense industry recruitment germany accelerates. Still, german auto layoffs could persist, keeping the talent pipeline open. The upshot: defense industry recruitment germany is likely to remain strong while orders grow.
