R&D and Innovation Manager (mwd), Space Industry

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 Europes defense and space sector.

As R&D and Innovation Manager you own Infinite Orbits Germanys 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 Groups product roadmap. You identify technology opportunities relevant to the German and European market build the companys 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 companys 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 Groups product roadmap ensuring German innovation strengthens the Groups 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.

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.
• Willingness to undergo a German security clearance procedure (Sicherheitsüberprüfung).
• Frequent travel required within Germany and to Infinite Orbits HQ in Toulouse and other European locations.

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

We are looking forward to your application!