Product Scout - AI-driven Product Innovation

Our client has been developing software solutions for secure digital communication for over 30 years, establishing itself as a leading provider in German-speaking regions. They serve critical sectors including banks, insurance companies, municipal data centers, and public sector organizations, all of whom rely on the highest security and compliance standards.

About the Role

Are you passionate about not just developing products, but actively shaping which products will be relevant in the future? Do you think like a Product Owner, Architect, and Strategist simultaneously? If so, this role as a Product Scout could be the perfect challenge for you. You will identify, validate, and refine new product opportunities before they enter the development phase, with a special focus on AI-driven product innovation.

Your Responsibilities

• Trend & Market Analysis: Monitor regulatory, technological, and security-related developments (e.g., AI Governance, Post-Quantum Cryptography, EU Data Sovereignty).
• Opportunity Identification: Explore new product possibilities at the intersection of communication security, GRC/Compliance, AI, and productivity ecosystems.
• Hypothesis Development: Translate market and customer signals into concrete, verifiable product ideas and strategic opportunity fields.
• Discovery & Validation: Conduct lean discovery processes, including customer interviews, problem validation, and Proof-of-Value approaches.
• Business Case Development: Create market analyses, competitive assessments, and well-founded decision bases for management.
• Technical Assessment: Evaluate technical feasibility and assess Cloud, SaaS, and AI architectural approaches.
• Architecture & Integration: Develop architecture and integration sketches as a basis for future product development.
• Stakeholder Alignment: Collaborate closely with Engineering, Architecture, Product, and Leadership to prioritize opportunities.
• Communication & Translation: Translate technical and regulatory topics into clear business and management language.
• Go-to-Market Support: Assist in the strategic positioning and further development of product-driven growth initiatives.

Your Qualifications

• Fluent German and English (written and spoken).
• Minimum 5 years of professional experience as a Product Manager or Product Owner.
• Additional technical depth, e.g., as a Solution Architect, Tech Lead, or in a comparable role.
• Experience in discovery, validation, and implementation of product ideas (e.g., MVPs, PoCs, Business Cases).
• Strong understanding of Cloud, SaaS, and AI transformations, with an interest in AI-driven product innovations.
• Experience with partner ecosystems (e.g., Microsoft, Google).
• Experience with product innovation during the transition from On-Premises to Cloud/SaaS architecture and AI.
• Knowledge in at least one focus area: Communication Security, GRC/Compliance, or modern Cloud/AI Architectures.
• Experience in developing or evaluating products in the areas of data sovereignty or security.
• Ability to translate technical interdependencies into strategic and economic decisions.
• Structured, analytical, and pragmatic approach with a high degree of self-responsibility.

Nice to have:

• Industry knowledge in Financial Services, Public Sector, KRITIS, Insurance, or Healthcare.
• Experience with EU regulations (GDPR, NIS2, DORA, eIDAS).
• Understanding of Product-led Growth or SaaS business models.
• Interest in Post-Quantum Cryptography and AI Governance topics.

What We Offer

• Flexibility: 80-90% remote work and flexible working hours without tracking.
• A future-proof job is guaranteed.
• Individual professional development – we invest in your growth.
• A team with flat hierarchies and a pleasant working atmosphere.
• Modern work environment with company parking, free drinks, and a kitchen.
• Only 1-2 days per month on-site in Karlsruhe or Paderborn, with occasional travel for workshops and customer appointments.
• Team events for cohesion and fun outside of daily work.
• A qualification-dependent annual gross salary based on full-time employment.

Does this sound like the challenge you're looking for? We look forward to receiving your application and will provide further insights into the role, the team, and the product vision in an initial 10-minute conversation.