Space Program Development Manager (m/f/d)

About the role

Linde Inc. is seeking a Space Program Development Manager to lead the scouting, prioritization, and development of space sector applications leveraging Linde’s capabilities and business models.

Responsibilities

• Scout broadly for space-sector applications and technology-based offerings that leverage Linde’s capabilities and business models
• Build and maintain a prioritized opportunity pipeline; screen and rank ideas using balanced criteria (customer acceptance, impact, alternatives, IP, difficulty, and execution feasibility)
• Map target value chains and customer workflows; define the 'job to be done' and quantify unmet needs
• Engage customers, partners, industry groups, universities, government agencies, and other external stakeholders to gather Voice-of-Customer insights and validate demand
• Sizes and quantifies opportunities (market size, value pools, share potential) and creates clear value propositions for differentiated solutions
• Coordinate with internal technical experts to assess solution concepts; drive pre-feasibility studies (technical/commercial) and techno-economic comparisons versus state-of-the-art
• Create business cases with assumptions and sensitivity analyses; recommend "go / no-go / pivot" decisions supported by data
• Lead initiation of new development programs; define scope, resources, milestones, and go-to-market strategy and drive proposals through early stage-gate reviews to secure business sponsorship and alignment

Requirements

• Preferably located in Burr Ridge, IL, with other locations within the US possible
• Preferred Bachelor’s degree in an engineering or science discipline; MS/PhD in an engineering or science discipline and/or MBA is desired
• 5+ years of work experience in the space sector at a commercial space firm or space-focused government organization
• Demonstrated aptitude to learn new technical domains quickly
• Strong analytical and business case skills (market sizing, value chain analysis, financial modeling, value propositions); comfort working with imperfect data and making structured assumptions
• Technical acumen to understand customer processes and translate needs into solution concepts; ability to collaborate effectively with R&D and engineering teams
• Excellent interpersonal, verbal, and written communication skills; proven ability to influence across functions and present to senior stakeholders
• Results-driven, self-directed, and comfortable with ambiguity in early-stage opportunity exploration
• Willingness to travel domestically and internationally as needed (typically up to ~25%)
• Experience in program development, technology commercialization, strategy, business development, product management, consulting, or a related role that blends technical and commercial responsibilities is a plus
• Experience with stage-gate / portfolio management, leading early-stage innovation programs is desired
• Experience with techno-economic assessments and pre-feasibility studies as well as experience with building partnerships/external networks (start-ups, suppliers, universities, consortia) would be ideal

Qualifications

• Preferably located in Burr Ridge, IL, with other locations within the US possible
• Preferred Bachelor’s degree in an engineering or science discipline; MS/PhD in an engineering or science discipline and/or MBA is desired
• 5+ years of work experience in the space sector at a commercial space firm or space-focused government organization
• Demonstrated aptitude to learn new technical domains quickly
• Strong analytical and business case skills (market sizing, value chain analysis, financial modeling, value propositions); comfort working with imperfect data and making structured assumptions
• Technical acumen to understand customer processes and translate needs into solution concepts; ability to collaborate effectively with R&D and engineering teams
• Excellent interpersonal, verbal, and written communication skills; proven ability to influence across functions and present to senior stakeholders
• Results-driven, self-directed, and comfortable with ambiguity in early-stage opportunity exploration
• Willingness to travel domestically and internationally as needed (typically up to ~25%)
• Experience in program development, technology commercialization, strategy, business development, product management, consulting, or a related role that blends technical and commercial responsibilities is a plus
• Experience with stage-gate / portfolio management, leading early-stage innovation programs is desired
• Experience with techno-economic assessments and pre-feasibility studies as well as experience with building partnerships/external networks (start-ups, suppliers, universities, consortia) would be ideal

Skills

• Scouting and prioritization of space sector applications
• Value chain analysis and market sizing
• Business case creation and financial modeling
• Collaboration with internal and external stakeholders
• Technical understanding of customer processes
• Effective communication and stakeholder engagement
• Leadership in early-stage innovation programs
• Techno-economic assessments and pre-feasibility studies
• Building partnerships and external networks

Benefits

• Competitive compensation
• Medical options to suit everyone’s needs
• Employee discount program
• 401K
• Pension plan
• Life insurance

Pay

The salary range for this role is: $113,680- $170,000.

Schedule

Typically up to ~25% domestic and international travel is required.