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

ZEISS Group; Dresden; On-site; EUR 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

ZEISS Group seeks a proactive strategic enabler to translate emerging semiconductor technologies into innovation opportunities, projects and business cases. You will bridge external ecosystems with ZEISS strategy and development, engaging the Silicon Saxony community and collaborating with stakeholders.

In this role you identify trends, own the innovation funnel, validate disruptive tech, and build partnerships with TU Dresden, Fraunhofer and Leibniz institutes, shaping ZEISS Technology Strategy

Qualifications

• Master/PhD in physics, engineering, or materials science.
• 5+ years in innovation management, R&D, or tech strategy.
• Strong understanding of semiconductor tech and value chains.
• Ability to translate tech trends into business impact.
• Experience managing early-stage innovation projects.
• Strong analytical, structured thinking, and stakeholder skills.
• Entrepreneurial mindset and ownership.

Responsibilities

• Identify and evaluate market and tech trends in semiconductors.
• Own and manage the innovation and project funnel.
• Screen and validate disruptive technologies; steer PoC projects.
• Provide structured recommendations for follow-up activities.
• Represent ZEISS in Silicon Saxony and build partnerships.
• Monitor ecosystem developments and derive strategic implications.
• Contribute to ZEISS Technology Strategy and SMT Technology Roadmap.
• Align external insights with internal priorities and governance.
• Support SteerCo processes: prioritization, action planning, reporting.

Skills

Innovation management

R&D strategy

Semiconductor technologies

Stakeholder management

Project management

Analytical thinking

Education

Master/PhD in Physics, Engineering or Materials Science

Job description

ZEISS is seeking a proactive, strategic enabler who identifies and translates emerging semiconductor technologies into innovation opportunities, projects, and business cases. You will bridge external innovation ecosystems with ZEISS internal strategy and development, actively engaging the Silicon Saxony community and collaborating with internal and external stakeholders.

Your Role

• 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