Autonomous Edge Business Development Manager (Germany)

Imec; Heilbronn; On-site; EUR 110,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

IMEC in Heilbronn, Germany is seeking an Autonomous Edge Business Development Manager to translate advanced autonomous edge technologies into real customer value. You will build strategic partnerships, identify opportunities, and drive revenue by bridging engineering and business.

The role requires native German, fluent English, and a readiness to travel 30-40% while collaborating with international teams. On-site presence in Heilbronn at least three days per week is expected.

Qualifications

• Master's degree in Engineering, Electronics, Physics, or related field.
• Strong business acumen and understanding of automotive/autonomous edge ecosystems.
• Proven track record in business development, partnerships, or technology sales in high-tech industries.
• Experience in automotive, robotics, aerospace, security, or adjacent sectors.
• Excellent negotiation and stakeholder management skills.
• Willingness to travel 30-40%.
• Fluent German and English.

Responsibilities

• Identify new opportunities and translate complex technologies into business value.
• Build strategic partnerships and navigate diverse stakeholder landscapes.
• Engage with customers and partners in Germany and across international teams.
• Drive revenue growth by bridging engineering and commercial goals.
• Travel to meet customers and partners as required (30-40%).

Skills

Business development

Partnerships & alliances

Stakeholder management

Cross-functional collaboration

German language proficiency

English language proficiency

Autonomous systems awareness

Education

Master's degree in Engineering, Electronics, Physics, or related field

Job description

Autonomous Edge Business Development Manager (Germany)

You enjoy building relationships, identifying new opportunities and translating complex technological solutions into business value for customers and partners.
To be successful in this role, you should bring:

• Proven experience in business development, sales, partnerships or market development within a technology-driven environment.
• A strong affinity with autonomous systems, edge AI, semiconductor technologies or related innovation domains.
• Excellent stakeholder management and networking skills.
• The ability to operate independently while collaborating across international teams.
• Native-level German and fluent English language skills, as a significant part of the role involves engaging with customers, partners and stakeholders in Germany.
• Willingness to work on-site in Heilbronn at least three days per week.

Location

This position is based in Heilbronn, Germany. Given the strong local market focus and customer engagement activities in Germany, we expect the successful candidate to be present in Heilbronn a minimum of three days per week.

What sets you apart

While technical understanding is important, we place equal value on your ability to create and develop business opportunities. We are looking for someone who can bridge technology and business, identify market needs, and build long-term partnerships that drive impact and growth.

What We Offer

We offer you the opportunity to join one of the world’s premier research centers in nanotechnology at its headquarters in Leuven, Belgium. With your talent, passion and expertise, you'll become part of a team that makes the impossible possible. Together, we shape the technology that will determine the society of tomorrow.

We are committed to being an inclusive employer and proud of our open, multicultural, and informal working environment with ample possibilities to take initiative and show responsibility. We commit to supporting and guiding you in this process; not only with words but also with tangible actions. Through imec.academy, 'our corporate university', we actively invest in your development to further your technical and personal growth.

We are aware that your valuable contribution makes imec a top player in its field. Your energy and commitment are therefore appreciated by means of a market appropriate salary with many fringe benefits.

Who you are

We are looking for an entrepreneurial and commercially driven professional who is passionate about emerging technologies and skilled at turning innovation into business opportunities. You enjoy building strategic partnerships, navigating complex stakeholder landscapes, and creating value at the intersection of technology and business.

You bring:

• A collaborative and team-oriented mindset, combined with the drive and independence needed to operate in a fast-moving, entrepreneurial environment.
• A Master's degree in Engineering, Electronics, Physics, or a related field, complemented by strong business acumen and a solid understanding of the automotive and autonomous edge ecosystem.
• A genuine interest in semiconductor and system technologies, with the ability to understand and communicate their value proposition to customers and partners.
• A proven track record in business development, strategic partnerships, account management, or technology sales within high-tech or semiconductor-related industries.
• Experience in automotive, robotics, aerospace, security, or adjacent technology sectors. Exposure to collaborative R&D environments is considered a strong asset.
• A good understanding of technology commercialization, business models, innovation ecosystems, and intellectual property valorization.
• The ability to engage confidently with both technical experts and business decision-makers, translating complex technologies into compelling business opportunities.
• Strong negotiation, stakeholder management, and relationship-building skills, with experience managing partnerships across diverse organisations.
• Excellent communication skills and the confidence to discuss technical, commercial, legal, and strategic topics with senior stakeholders.
• Strong strategic thinking and business judgment, enabling you to identify, prioritize, and convert market opportunities into long-term partnerships and revenue growth.
• A proactive, hands-on, and entrepreneurial attitude, with the ability to work effectively across multidisciplinary and international teams.
• Willingness to travel approximately 30-40%.
• Native German and fluent English language skills. Given the strong customer and ecosystem focus in Germany, fluency in German is a key requirement for success in this role.

IMEC and its affiliates will not accept unsolicited resumes from any source other than directly from a candidate. IMEC will consider unsolicited referrals and/or resumes submitted by vendors such as search firms, staffing agencies, professional recruiters, fee-based referral services and recruiting agencies (hereafter "Agency") to have been referred by the Agency free of charge. IMEC will not pay a fee to any Agency that does not have a prior written agreement with IMEC, validated by its HR department, in place regarding a specific job opening and allowing to submit resumes.