Project Manager – Technical Space Officer

The Reutlingen Chamber of Industry and Commerce (IHK) represents the interests of companies and provides vital stimuli for the success and growth of the regional economy. It is a key link between businesses, politics, and administration. It provides information on day‑to‑day business concerns, helps companies join the international business arena, and addresses tomorrow's issues today.

Become a part of IHK Reutlingen, support our approx. 45,000 member companies, and also become part of the European network ESA BIC. The ESA BIC in Reutlingen hosts startups from Baden-Württemberg, currently onboarded 91 startups.

The wide range of space‑based technology is ubiquitous in our everyday life. There are numerous opportunities for utilizing space technologies in commercial applications. This transfer process, which goes beyond mere technology transfer, is subsumed under the term Space Solutions. The aim is for IHK member companies to benefit in particular from the opportunities offered by space technology.

What We Offer

• International environment. Interacting with an international network, space experts and investors, you will represent the interests of our companies and foster your international networking through overseas trips.
• Performance culture. You will gain diverse insight into this fast‑growing economy, in particular young high‑performing companies with the latest trends and technologies.
• Creative liberty. You will take on critical tasks from day one and work independently in a dynamic organization with short decision‑making paths.

Your Responsibilities

• Organize and lead technical workshops, training sessions, and events focused on the wide range of space‑based technologies and their commercial applications.
• Mentor startups with Space Solutions and assist them in technical business development, for example by establishing international partnerships and through special funding programs such as BASS and GSTP.
• Support the ESA BIC management in the technical evaluation and selection of startups, including assessing technological feasibility, innovation potential, and alignment with ESA domains.
• Assist the existing ESA BIC management with administrative duties related to reporting processes to ESA and organize events.
• Represent ESA BIC Baden-Württemberg externally and promote the region as a hub for space‑enabled innovation and technological excellence.

Your Day‑to‑day Responsibilities

• Facilitate knowledge transfer between ESA experts, startups, research institutions, and industry, and support the technical development and maturation of Space Solutions, including applying for funding programs.
• Build and strengthen a technical partner network connecting space and non‑space industries, facilitating collaborations across sectors.
• Actively look for new startups and expand the current ESA BIC technical networks across the space domain, representing ESA BIC Baden-Württemberg at technical events, workshops, and ecosystem meetings.

Your Qualifications

• University degree in a technical field (min. Master's or Diplom degree, PhD desirable).
• High level of expertise in applied space technology / Space Solutions is essential; professional experience in this field is desirable.
• Existing network within ESA, DLR or other space organizations is required.
• Excellent knowledge of written and spoken English (C1 or native level); good written and spoken German skills desirable.
• Fixed‑term contract until February 28, 2028.