Head of Research and Innovation

ThrustMe is looking for a Head of Innovation leading the Innovation team and being responsible for conception of new company products in the domain of space propulsion and plasma physics. We expect you to combine solid tech knowledge with out-of-the-box thinking and bring us future products disrupting the entire market. It's you to tell us possible directions and lighten the path - and we will bring the resources for making it happen. Your team will work on multiple technologies and their proofs in parallel, bringing proof-of-concept prototypes to the product development team. You will directly interact with business development unit for having the most updated picture of the industry landscape.

Are you passionate about technology? Do you know how most things are built, from a printer to a space probe? Are you ready to take the risk of making the unthinkable? You are not scared of being the best? Do you know how to manage small diverse team? If all the answers are yes, then we are looking for you!

ThrustMe is a fast-growing startup in the space sector, founded in 2017. We are experts in satellite space propulsion, pioneering the field of in-orbit propulsion for the rising satellite constellation paradigm. The company made history in 2019 and 2020 with the world's first in-orbit demonstrations of iodine-fuelled electric propulsion systems, bringing the technologies that revolutionize the space industry. As of today, we are still the only company mastering the technology, having dozens of systems in space and hundreds of them built; and from here we will continue innovating.

Main tasks and responsibilities:

• Managing the Innovation team
• Being responsible for the innovation activities
• Developing new concepts to be used in future and existing products, and validating them experimentally
• Continuous technology transfer to the product development team
• Handling most of the experimental activities in the company
• Creating and protecting company IP
• Keeping the company heritage regarding core technologies
• Interacting with other tech units (development, support and production) and business development unit

Required skills and qualifications:

• Solid track record of innovation in the applied physics, plasma physics or propulsion domains
• Strong leadership skills, ability to setup team-work and efficient brainstorming
• Basic understanding of agile management
• PhD in applied physics, plasma physics is good to have. Master’s degree can be considered
• Solid understanding of complex systems, with good knowledge of engineering and space propulsion subjects
• Expertise in plasma physics
• Good understanding of both power and signal electronics
• Prototyping skills
• Ability to motivate, work autonomously and proactively
• Technical writing and reporting skills
• Soft skills: conflict management, working under pressure, being passionate

We will provide you an honest compensation package.

Apply by submitting your CV directly to careers@thrustme.fr