Product Owner / Product Owneress

ETH Zurich | Space Overview

ETH Zurich | Space is dedicated to enhancing space activities, aiming to position ETH Zurich as a leading university in space research and Earth observation, education, and entrepreneurship across Europe and beyond. The initiative encompasses five key units: Education, Research, Entrepreneurship, the ETH Swiss GeoLab, and the space mission LIFE.

Project Overview

In support of our initiatives within the Entrepreneurship unit of ETH Zurich | Space, we are spearheading the development of a highly secure, closed B2B digital platform in collaboration with ESA and their ESA Commercialization network. This ecosystem platform aims to invigorate the European space startup and industry ecosystem by facilitating cross-border connections, commercial deals, and collaboration throughout Europe, thereby accelerating overall company development.

The platform is designed to connect international institutional stakeholders, partners from the space and related industries, startup founders (such as those from ESA Business Incubation Centers across Europe), and other significant players. It will integrate data-driven insights and advanced matching capabilities, including artificial intelligence.

Job Opportunity: Product Owner

We are seeking a structured and driven Product Owner to take this initiative from its initial concept phase through finalized specifications, vendor selection, and full-scale implementation. Rapid prototyping, beta testing, and continuous learning are critical to the development process in this role.

You will act as the strategic bridge between a diverse network of high-profile international stakeholders, agile entrepreneurs, and software engineers. Your responsibilities will include leading the requirements engineering process, translating ecosystem needs into clear technical specifications, selecting the appropriate development partner, and ultimately ensuring the project is delivered on time.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead Stakeholder Scoping Workshops: Plan and facilitate targeted workshops with varying user groups, ensuring alignment on expectations and a unified product vision.
• Finalize Product Specifications: Develop the initial draft concept into a comprehensive, production-ready specification package and structured backlog.
• Vendor & Partner Management: Oversee the technical evaluation and onboarding process for the external software development partner.
• Roadmap Ownership: Manage the overall project timeline, ensuring key milestones are met for timely and high-quality deployment.
• Oversee Development & Quality: Supervise the external implementation partner throughout development, testing, and deployment cycles, ensuring adherence to timelines and scope.
• Ensure Technical & Security Excellence: Define and enforce robust platform governance, including strict role-based access management and data residency compliance.
• Stakeholder Management: Maintain primary interactions with diverse stakeholders, integrating their perspectives, and ensuring the project remains on track.

Qualifications

• Education: A university degree in computer science or a related field is expected. Candidates with significant relevant work experience in other fields are also encouraged to apply.
• Experience: A minimum of 5 years of relevant professional experience as a Product Owner or Product Manager, with a proven track record in leading complex web-based B2B portals, collaboration networks, or enterprise-grade software applications.
• Technical Skills:
  • Strong technical literacy, with a sound understanding of modern web application frameworks, API/webhook architecture, and AI frameworks.
  • Data & AI savviness, with experience in defining requirements for data-processing pipelines or AI-driven user feeds.
• Competencies & Personality:
  • Exceptional communication and stakeholder management abilities.
  • Experience in managing external software development vendors and agile teams.
  • Strong organizational skills and a proactive, solution-oriented mindset.
  • Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to bridge teams and cultures.
• Language Proficiency: Full professional fluency in English (written and spoken) is required; proficiency in German is a plus.

Benefits of Joining Us

• A high-impact management role at a prestigious institution, driving innovation within the expanding space technology ecosystem.
• A vibrant, intellectually stimulating work environment at ETH Zurich | Space, based in Zurich.
• The opportunity to shape a long-term digital infrastructure project from its foundational stages.
• A workplace located in downtown Zurich.
• Fixed-term contract for 3 years, with the possibility of extension.

We welcome you to apply online using the form below and look forward to receiving your application! Only applications matching the job profile will be considered.

For further information about ETH Zurich | Space, please visit our website.