←All graduate programs
Updated

Festo Graduate Program 2026 Future Leadership Program

About the company

Festo SE & Co. KG is a family-owned provider of pneumatic and electric automation technology headquartered in Esslingen am Neckar. Its products are used in factory and process automation and in technical education, where its subsidiary Festo Didactic is the global market leader in technical training.

Employees
20,600
Revenue
€3.3 bn
Headquarters
Esslingen
Industry
Automation technology
Program details

Key facts

Program length
18 months
Number of rotations
3
Departments
Future leadership
International assignment
Mandatory
Working hours / week
35h
Gross salary per year
Not public
Program description

The Future Leadership Program at Festo

The Future Leadership Program is aimed at graduates with strong leadership ambitions. Graduates rotate through different departments and locations, take on project responsibility in group-wide initiatives early and are prepared for a first leadership role through a dedicated leadership curriculum.

Application requirements

Who applies successfully?

Degree
Master's, MBA or PhD
Field of study
Any discipline relevant to the designated department
Work experience
First relevant practical experience in consulting or a start-up environment (e.g. internships or working student jobs)
International experience
First international experience (e.g. semester abroad or internship abroad)
Languages
Fluent German and English
Other
Leadership ambition
Application process

How does the application work?

01
Online application
Application documents, typically a CV, cover letter and relevant certificates, are submitted via the company's career portal. An automatic confirmation follows, while substantive feedback from HR is generally provided within one to four weeks.
02
Online test
A standardized aptitude test completed online, typically covering logical reasoning, numerical and verbal skills as well as personality. The total duration ranges from 20 to 90 minutes.
not required
Recorded video interview
An interview without a live interviewer, in which candidates respond to predefined questions on camera. It typically comprises five to seven questions, each with two minutes to respond.
03
Interview with HR
An interview with the HR department, usually conducted via video and lasting 30 to 60 minutes. It focuses predominantly on academic background, motivation, cultural fit and behavioral questions on soft skills.
04
Department interview
An interview with the manager or team of the department you are applying to, usually conducted via video and lasting 45 to 90 minutes. It centers on technical questions, situational cases and the alignment of mutual expectations.
05
Assessment center
A multi-stage selection day comprising presentations, case studies, group exercises and individual interviews. The format varies by company and may take place on site or virtually.

Questions about Festo Future Leadership Program

What salary does Festo pay in its graduate program?
Festo does not publicly disclose the gross salary of its graduate program. Remuneration is communicated individually during the selection process.
How long does the Festo graduate program last?
The Future Leadership Program lasts 18 months and comprises three rotations in different areas. The precise duration is determined individually and depends on the chosen department and the course of each rotation. Over this period, graduates gain insight into the company from different perspectives and progressively assume greater responsibility, typically moving into a permanent position upon completion.
Who can apply for the Festo graduate program?
The Future Leadership Program sets clear professional and personal requirements. A master's degree, MBA or PhD is required, and candidates from any discipline relevant to the designated department are considered. Fluent German and English are essential. In addition, companies typically place significant emphasis on initial practical experience from internships or working student positions, as well as personal strengths such as initiative, analytical thinking, communication skills and teamwork.
How does the application process for the Festo graduate program work?
The application process for the application process for the Future Leadership Program comprises five stages: online application, online test, interview with HR, interview with the department and assessment center. Each stage builds on the previous one, so candidates only progress after successfully completing a stage. The process overview above outlines each step in detail.
Can I go abroad during the Festo graduate program?
The Festo graduate program includes a mandatory international assignment as an integral part of its rotation plan.
When is the application deadline for the Festo graduate program?
The application portal for the Festo graduate program is currently closed. The notification option on this page provides you with an update as soon as the next application cycle opens.

The application portal is currently closed.

Sign up and we will let you know as soon as the application portal of Festo opens again.

We will let you know as soon as the application portal opens again. Further details are provided in our privacy policy
Data table: Future Leadership Program at Festo
MetricValue
CompanyFesto
ProgramFuture Leadership Program
IndustryAutomation technology
Main locationEsslingen, Baden-Württemberg
Program length18 months
Gross annual salaryNot publicly disclosed
Developed in Germany·GDPR compliant·Cookie-free·Greener than 94% of all websitesWebsite Carbon·Referenced by AI models·Developed in Germany·GDPR compliant·Cookie-free·Greener than 94% of all websitesWebsite Carbon·Referenced by AI models·
Trainee Insider

Provided by Trainee Insider, a data-driven platform for graduate trainee programs in Germany. All data is derived from official career pages and verified insider contributions.

The platform is expanding continuously. Corrections may be reported via our .

Explore all 181 graduate programs