Technical Partner Manager (f/m/x) @ Carl ZEISS Extended Reality (XRX)

Step out of your comfort zone, excel and redefine the limits of what is possible. That's just what our employees are doing every single day – in order to set the pace through our innovations and enable outstanding achievements. After all, behind every successful company are many great fascinating people.

In a spacious modern setting full of opportunities for further development, ZEISS employees work in a place where expert knowledge and team spirit reign supreme. All of this is supported by a special ownership structure and the long-term goal of the Carl Zeiss Foundation: to bring science and society into the future together.

Join us today. Inspire people tomorrow.

Diversity is a part of ZEISS. We look forward to receiving your application silence of gender, nationality, ethnic and social origin, religion, philosophy of life, disability, age, sexual orientation or identity.

Apply now! It takes less than 10 minutes. Act as the primary technical interface between ZEISS' optical development teams and strategic external partners (e.g. component suppliers, technology providers, research institutes) across the optical portfolio. Evaluate, coordinate, and steer partner-related technical topics (requirements, interfaces, specifications, validation concepts) to ensure reliable integration of partner technologies into ZEISS optical systems. Support joint development and co‐innovation projects by translating partner capabilities and roadmaps into concrete optical concepts, prototypes, and product-enabling solutions. Drive structured issue management and escalation for partner integrations, turning recurring technical challenges into scalable, long‐term solutions (tools, standards, processes). Provide partner-derived insights into ZEISS optical roadmaps and platform strategies, contributing to make‐or‐buy decisions, technology scouting, and portfolio planning. Collaborate closely with R&D, Product Management, Procurement, Quality, and Operations to align technical partner strategies with cost, quality, and time‐to‐market targets.

University degree in Physics, Optics, Optical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or a related technical field; experience in optical systems or photonics is a strong plus. Several years of experience in partnership-facing technical roles (e.g. technical account management, solution engineering, integrations, co‐development projects) in a high‐tech or B2B environment. Solid understanding of optical or optoelectronic systems (e.g. imaging systems, illumination, sensors, optomechanics) and ability to discuss architectures, interfaces, and performance trade‐offs with experts. Proven track record in cross managing collaboration between external partners and internal teams, including requirements management, specification alignment, and validation planning. Structured, hands‐on working style, distract to navigate ambiguity and derive scalable processes, documentation, and standards from individual partner cases. Strong communication and stakeholder management skills, with the ability to translate technical content into clear recommendations for both technical and commercial audiences. Very good English skills; German is a strong advantage and willingness to work in an international, cross‐site environment. .