R&D and Innovation Manager (m/w/d), Space & Defense Industry

Free resume; München; On-site; EUR 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Infinite Orbits GmbH in Munich seeks an experienced R&D and Innovation Manager to lead Germany's sensing and autonomy research agenda for space and defense programs. You will drive the German R&D roadmap, build strong university partnerships, and secure funding to mature key technologies.

In this role you will coordinate with Group entities, influence the Group product roadmap, and engage with national and European innovation ecosystems to strengthen Germany's technology base.

Qualifications

• Engineering or scientific degree (RF/optical/ robotics or software/data processing)
• 3+ years in R&D management or innovation management
• Track record securing publicly funded R&D projects (national/EU)

Responsibilities

• Own and drive the German R&D roadmap across sensing and autonomy technologies (RF, optical, robotics, data postprocessing, object detection)
• Develop and grow university and research partnerships in Germany
• Identify, pursue, and manage national and EU funding programs for technology development
• Coordinate with Group entities (e.g., Toulouse) to align Germany activities with the broader roadmap
• Represent Infinite Orbits at German innovation events and research consortia

Skills

R&D management

Networking

Funding program knowledge

Bilingual English/German

Cross-border collaboration

Travel flexibility

Education

Engineering or scientific degree

PhD or strong research background

Job description

R&D and Innovation Manager (m/w/d), Space & Defense Industry

Job Description

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

The company develops in-orbit servicing solutions built on its own autonomous Rendezvous and Proximity Operations (RPO) technology, spanning awareness, surveillance, inspection, and protection of space assets through to life extension.

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

Tasks

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. We are hiring two R&D and Innovation Managers with complementary profiles: one with a focus on robotics and GNC, and one with a focus on sensing (RF and optical) and data processing.

Beyond driving R&D in Germany, 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 a primary driver of Infinite Orbits' presence in the German innovation ecosystem, working closely with the engineering team to align research priorities with the company's technical roadmap and with Group entities to leverage existing technology developments.

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 own applications to national and European funding programs for technology development, from scoping through submission and reporting, with the Proposal & Project Manager running the proposal process.
• 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, GNC, 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.
• Frequent travel required within Germany and to Infinite Orbits' HQ in Toulouse and other European locations.
• 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.