R&D and Innovation Manager

Infinite Orbits; München; On-site; EUR 90,000 - 125,000; Full time

Job summary

Infinite Orbits GmbH, the German subsidiary of Infinite Orbits SAS, is establishing Munich as a founding hub for R&D and innovation in sensing and autonomy technologies. As R&D and Innovation Manager, you own the German agenda, build university partnerships, secure non-dilutive funding, and feed German engineering into the Group product roadmap.

Fluent in German and English, you thrive in an early‑stage, cross-border team and will shape Infinite Orbits Germany from the ground up.

Qualifications

• Engineering or scientific degree in RF/optical/robotics/software data processing; PhD or strong research a plus.
• 3+ years of experience in R&D management, innovation management, or research collaboration in sensing or autonomy tech.
• Track record of securing and managing publicly funded R&D projects (national or EU level) is a strong plus.

Responsibilities

• Own the German R&D roadmap across sensing and autonomy technologies (RF, optical, robotics, data postprocessing, object detection).
• Feed German technology developments and partnerships into the wider Group product roadmap.
• Own and grow relationships with German universities and research institutions; structure collaborations and joint research opportunities.
• Identify, pursue, and manage applications to national and European funding programs for sensing and autonomy tech.
• Track emerging technologies and potential partners; assess fit with Infinite Orbits' roadmap.
• Coordinate with Engineering in Toulouse and other Group entities to align German R&D activities with the Group roadmap.
• Represent Infinite Orbits at innovation-focused events, university engagements, and research consortia in Germany.

Skills

German fluency

English fluency

Education

Engineering or scientific degree

Job description

Infinite Orbits GmbH is the German subsidiary of Infinite Orbits SAS, a French NewSpace company founded in 2017 that now has more than 200 employees, with locations including Luxembourg, the UK, Spain, and Singapore.

We develop in-orbit servicing solutions — spanning awareness, surveillance, inspection, and protection of space assets, through to life extension — built on our own autonomous Rendezvous and Proximity Operations (RPO) technology.

With our newly established Munich site, Infinite Orbits builds a dedicated local presence in Germany, building capability in business development, R&D, product development, system engineering, production, and mission operations to enable Europe's defense and space sector.

We are looking for the founding team of Infinite Orbits in Munich.

If you bring entrepreneurial drive, thrive in ambiguity, want ownership over what you build, and want to make a real difference in space, check out our open positions on our website.

Open positions:

• Chief of Staff
• R&D and Innovation Manager
• Proposal & Project Manager

About the Role

As R&D and Innovation Manager, you own Infinite Orbits Germany's research and innovation agenda in sensing and autonomy technologies — spanning RF, optical, and robotics hardware, as well as the data postprocessing and object detection software that turns their output into mission value. Beyond driving German-market R&D, you help push product development for the wider Infinite Orbits Group, feeding German engineering excellence and technology access directly into the Group's product roadmap. You identify technology opportunities relevant to the German and European market, build the company's university and research-institution network, and secure non-dilutive funding to support technology maturation. You are the primary driver of Infinite Orbits' presence in the German innovation ecosystem, working closely with the Chief Engineer to align research priorities with the company's technical roadmap and with Group entities to leverage existing technology developments.

Job Description

• R&D agenda ownership: Define and drive the German R&D roadmap across sensing and autonomy technologies — RF, optical, robotics, data postprocessing, and object detection — identifying gaps and opportunities that strengthen Infinite Orbits' competitive and technical positioning.
• Group product development contribution: Feed German technology developments, research partnerships, and engineering excellence into the wider Infinite Orbits Group's product roadmap, ensuring German innovation strengthens the Group's overall offering.
• University & research partnerships: Own and grow relationships with German universities and research institutions active in these fields; identify and structure collaboration, thesis, and joint-research opportunities.
• Funding program ownership: Identify, pursue, and manage applications to national and European funding programs for sensing and autonomy technology development, from scoping through submission and reporting.
• Technology scouting: Track emerging RF, optical, robotics, data postprocessing, and object detection technologies and potential partners or suppliers relevant to RPO and in-orbit servicing, assessing fit with Infinite Orbits' roadmap.
• Group coordination: Work with Engineering in Toulouse and other Group entities to align German R&D activities in these areas with the broader Group technology roadmap and avoid duplication of effort.
• Stakeholder engagement: Represent Infinite Orbits at innovation-focused events, university engagements, and research consortia relevant to sensing and autonomy technology in the German space and defense sector.

Requirements

Education & Experience

• Engineering or scientific degree, or equivalent, in a field relevant to RF systems, optical systems, robotics, or software/data processing; PhD or strong research background a plus.
• 3+ years of experience in R&D management, innovation management, or research collaboration in sensing or autonomy technology, ideally in the space, defense, or deep-tech sector.
• Track record of securing and managing publicly funded R&D projects (national or EU level) is a strong plus.

Skills & Other Requirements

• Working technical understanding of sensing and autonomy technologies as applied to space or in-orbit servicing missions — RF systems, optical sensing/communication, robotics, data postprocessing, and object detection. Deep expertise in one or two of these areas is expected; working literacy in the others is sufficient.
• Strong network-building ability with universities, research institutions, and innovation ecosystems across these technology domains.
• Solid understanding of funding program structures and application processes.
• Comfortable owning a new function independently in an early-stage, cross-border team environment.
• Fluent in German and English.

What we offer

• A founding role shaping Infinite Orbits Germany's R&D and innovation strategy in sensing and autonomy technologies from the ground up, with direct influence on the wider Group's product roadmap.
• Direct exposure to Germany's university, research, and innovation-funding ecosystem in the space and defense sector.

Recruitment Process

• Initial screening with HR
• Interview with the Managing Director of Infinite Orbits Germany
• Case study session with selected members of the Infinite Orbits Group