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

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

Your ZEISS Recruiting Team: Friederike Kirklar-Harms