Product Owner – B2B Digital Ecosystem Platform at ETH Space

ETH Zurich; Zürich; On-site; CHF 120,000 - 170,000; Part time

Job summary

ETH Space at ETH Zurich is seeking a Product Owner to lead a secure, closed B2B digital platform in collaboration with ESA and the ESA commercialization network. You will translate ecosystem needs into technical specs, select development partners, and own timely delivery of the project.

You will bridge diverse stakeholders—including academic, governmental, corporate and startup entities—while ensuring governance, security and scalability across Europe.

Qualifications

• Minimum 5 years of relevant experience as Product Owner/Manager delivering complex B2B portals.
• University degree in computer science or related field; other degrees considered with strong experience.
• Strong knowledge of web architectures, API/webhook concepts, RBAC and AI/LLM deployment.
• Excellent stakeholder, vendor and cross-cultural collaboration skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead stakeholder scoping workshops with diverse user groups to align expectations and unify the product vision.
• Finalize product specifications and maintain a structured backlog for delivery.
• Manage vendor and partner onboarding and technical evaluation of external developers.
• Oversee the project roadmap and ensure milestones, timelines and quality are met.
• Supervise development, testing and deployment cycles with external partners to ensure compliance with scope.
• Define robust governance, data residency and security controls across the platform.

Skills

Stakeholder mgmt

Vendor mgmt

Agile / Scrum

Technical literacy

English fluency

Education

CS degree or related field

Job description

Product Owner – B2B Digital Ecosystem Platform at ETH Space

50%, Zurich, fixed-term

ETH Zurich | Space’s mission is to boost space activities to establish ETH Zurich as the leading university in space research and Earth observation, education and entrepreneurship within Europe and beyond. ETH Zurich | Space encompasses overall five units: Education, Research, Entrepreneurship, the ETH Swiss GeoLab, and the space mission LIFE.

Project background

In support of our initiatives within the Entrepreneurship unit of ETH Zurich | Space, we are spearheading the creation of a highly secure, closed B2B digital platform in collaboration with ESA and their ESA Commercialization network. The ultimate objective of this ecosystem platform is to give the European space startup and industry ecosystem a boost, by facilitating more cross-border connections, commercial deals, and collaboration across Europe, to accelerate companies’ development overall.

The platform is designed to connect international institutional stakeholders, space and related industry partners, startup founders (e.g. from ESA Business Incubation Centers across Europe), and other important players. The platform will integrate data-driven insights and advanced matching capabilities (including via AI).

Job description

In this role, you will serve as the strategic bridge between a diverse network of high-profile international stakeholders (e.g. from ESA, space companies, ESA BIC managers), agile entrepreneurs (e.g. from the ESA BIC network), and software engineers. You will lead the requirements engineering process, translate ecosystem needs into clear technical specifications, select the right development partner, and take ultimate ownership of the project's timely delivery.

Key responsibilities

• Lead stakeholder scoping workshops: plan and facilitate targeted requirement workshops with diverse user groups – ranging from institutional managers and corporate partners to startup founders – to align expectations and unify the product vision.
• Finalize product specifications: evolve the current draft concept into a comprehensive, production-ready product specification package and structured backlog.
• Vendor & partner management: lead the technical evaluation and onboarding process for the external software development partner.
• Roadmap ownership: manage the overarching project timeline, ensuring key milestones are met for a timely, high-quality deployment.
• Oversee development & quality: supervise the external implementation partner throughout the development, testing, and deployment cycles, ensuring rigorous adherence to timelines and scope.
• Ensure technical & security excellence: Define and enforce robust platform governance, including strict role-based access management, secure third-party data integrations, high-standard data residency compliance, and system scalability.
• Stakeholder management: beyond the scoping workshops, you are the principal person to interact with diverse stakeholders, to integrate their different perspectives, and to make sure that the project stays on track and delivers the promised results.

Profile

Education: a university degree in computer science or a related field is expected. We are open to other degrees if you have significant, relevant work experience.

Experience: you have a minimum of 5 years of relevant professional experience with a proven track record as a Product Owner or Product Manager leading the delivery of complex web-based B2B portals, collaboration networks, or enterprise-grade software applications.

Technical skills

• Strong technical literacy: sound understanding of modern web application frameworks, API / webhook architecture, role-based access control, and modern AI / LLM deployment frameworks.
• Data & AI savviness: experience defining requirements for smart matching engines, data-processing pipelines, or AI-driven user feeds is highly advantageous.

Competencies & personality

• Stakeholder management: exceptional communication and stakeholder management skills with a demonstrated ability to navigate and build consensus within academic, (inter-) governmental (like ESA), corporate and startup environments.
• Vendor management expertise: practical experience in coordinating external software development vendor, supervising agile sprints, and overseeing quality assurance/testing phases.
• Independent approach and strong organizational skills
• Proactive and reliable personality
• Solution-oriented and service-oriented working style
• Enjoy working with complex project structures
• Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to build bridges across teams and cultures

Language proficiency: full professional fluency in English (written and spoken) is required, German is a plus.

We offer

• A high-impact management role at a world-class institution, directly driving innovation within the rapidly expanding space technology ecosystem.
• A vibrant, intellectually stimulating work environment at ETH Zurich | Space based in Zurich.
• The opportunity to shape a long-term digital, cross-European infrastructure project from its foundational stages.
• A workplace in downtown Zurich.
• Fixed-term contract for 3 years (possibly with option to extend).

We value diversity and sustainability

In line with our values, ETH Zurich encourages an inclusive culture. We promote equality of opportunity, value diversity and nurture a working and learning environment in which the rights and dignity of all our staff and students are respected. Visit our Equal Opportunities and Diversity website to find out how we ensure a fair and open environment that allows everyone to grow and flourish. Sustainability is a core value for us – we are consistently working towards a climate-neutral future.

Curious? So are we.

About ETH Zürich

ETH Zurich is one of the world’s leading universities specialising in science and technology. We are renowned for our excellent education, cutting-edge fundamental research and direct transfer of new knowledge into society. Over 30,000 people from more than 120 countries find our university to be a place that promotes independent thinking and an environment that inspires excellence. Located in the heart of Europe, yet forging connections all over the world, we work together to develop solutions for the global challenges of today and tomorrow.