Senior Innovation Manager Semicon Ecosystem (m/f/x)

• Identify and evaluate market- and technology-relevant trends in semiconductors (e.g., Lithography & chiplet technologies, advanced packaging, integrated photonics, inspection & metrology, 2D materials).
• Own and manage the innovation and project funnel for new opportunities arising from the Silicon Saxony ecosystem.
• Screen and validate disruptive technologies; initiate and steer technology validation / PoC projects.
• Provide structured recommendations for follow-up activities.
• Represent ZEISS within the Silicon Saxony ecosystem; build and maintain relationships with semiconductor companies, startups, and research initiatives.
• Monitor ecosystem developments and derive strategic implications for ZEISS.
• Establish and manage partnerships with TU Dresden, Fraunhofer, Leibniz institutes, etc.
• Initiate and supervise joint research, thesis projects, and collaborative innovation formats; enable access to academic talent pipelines.
• Contribute to ZEISS Technology Strategy and SMT Technology Roadmap.
• Ensure alignment between external insights and internal priorities and capabilities; participate in governance formats (radar, roadmap processes).
• Support SteerCo processes: project prioritization, action planning, and reporting of scouting activities; coordinate follow-up actions.

Your profile

• University degree (Master/PhD) in: - Physics, engineering, materials science or comparable fields
• 5+ years of experience in: - Innovation management, R&D, or technology strategy - Semiconductor or related deep-tech domains
• Strong understanding of semiconductor technologies and value chains
• Ability to translate technology trends into business impact
• Experience in managing early-stage innovation projects
• Strong analytical and structured thinking
• Excellent stakeholder management and communication skills
• High degree of initiative and ownership
• Entrepreneurial mindset and affinity for uncertainty and exploratory work

Contact

Friederike Kirklar-Harms

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Source: Statistisches Bundesamt (Destatis), table; dl-de/by-2-0; StarIn's calculation

Posted Nov 02, 2026