Interview with Eibe Dahl – Head of Engineering at ANT AG Lübeck

Eibe, tell us – how was your start? Did you feel welcomed into the ANT family?
Yes, I felt really well received. Everyone here is incredibly warm and welcoming, each in their own way, which made settling in easy. ANT is a wonderfully diverse and colorful team.

What attracted you most to the position at ANT AG?
Two things come to mind right away. First, the challenges that come with structural change due to company growth really appealed to me. I’ve been part of such a transformation before and I’m excited to bring the lessons I learned – sometimes the hard way – to help guide that journey here at ANT.
Second, the technical environment is incredibly exciting. The products and the technology themselves are already fascinating, but there’s also a strong spirit of innovation that runs through the company. We’re constantly exploring new fields of application – and even when something doesn’t go as planned, we respond with an open-minded, solution-focused approach. The number and quality of development topics here truly impressed me, especially for a company of this size.
In short: I’m happy to be in a place where every day brings something new.

Tell us a bit about your professional background. What experiences have shaped you – and how do they help you today as Head of Engineering?
I started my career in engineering after university, so I’ve done many of the tasks my colleagues handle today. I think this helps me understand what’s feasible, what’s realistic, and where the real-world challenges lie. Over the years, I’ve learned how to stay composed in difficult situations – even under pressure. Facing my own limits taught me the value of calm, solution-oriented thinking. Today, that perspective helps me bring balance, focus, and clarity to the team, especially in tense situations.

Do you remember your first day at ANT? What stuck with you?
Yes, I remember it very well. I was given a thorough tour, introduced to everyone with lots of time and care. Everything was prepared – even my desk had staples, pens, and tape ready. Wild, right? 😉
I also remember the sense of hope and expectation that was shown to me. I still feel that today, and it motivates me to meet and exceed those expectations.

What does your day-to-day work look like now?
It’s very diverse. On the one hand, I’m still getting to know everything. One highlight is always seeing finished machines on the yard – they’re just asking to be inspected.
I also spend a lot of time working on strategy – in HR, process development, or IT. And I’ve already been able to jump into some project work. I definitely don’t get bored!

Was becoming Head of Engineering your dream job – or did you once want to be a dolphin researcher?
I’ve always been passionate about technology – though dolphins do seem like nice guys. 😉
My dream job was to be Chief Engineer of the Mars Station, ideally on-site. I’m a total space nerd – I could talk about it for hours over a drink.
What inspired me to study engineering was the energy transition and the move toward renewable energies. I’ve always been driven by big, long-term ideas that require commitment and heart.
That I ended up in a different field happened through a series of small decisions. Those industries are also heavily affected by political climates – which didn’t appeal to me.
Leadership came quite naturally. I’m the kind of person who takes things into their own hands when I believe I can improve them. One thing led to another. I never set out to have a career in management – but a strong belief in my own ability to find good solutions certainly helped. 😉

What do you appreciate most about ANT AG as an employer? And what topics or projects are you especially excited about?
What I truly value about ANT is the conscious, long-term approach to decision-making. There’s a clear sense of direction – we think deeply about where we want to go as a company and how our products should evolve.
It’s a journey that never really ends – but one we’re navigating together really well.
What motivates me most is making sure everything runs smoothly. My goal is to shape structures and processes so we can focus on what sets us apart: innovative products.
When tasks that today eat up energy eventually run almost on their own – that’s when I’ll know I’ve done my job well.

And finally: what should your colleagues know about you – professionally or personally?
If you ask me a direct, honest question, you’ll get a direct, honest answer.
I appreciate candid feedback – even when it’s uncomfortable. If I’m falling behind on something, feel free to give me a friendly nudge.
It might take a little time to really get to know me – but in the end, it usually leads to a strong and trusting relationship.