We are Covestro. We are curious. We are courageous. We are colorful. We refine chemical material solutions with game-changing products. Let us empower you to push boundaries. Join us and our 18.000 colleagues now and together we will make the world a brighter place.
Are you ready to shape the future of specialty chemicals R&D? Covestro is building an AI-native platform that will transform how we discover, design, and deliver breakthrough materials. As our
R&D AI Product Owner
, you'll be at the forefront of this transformation, translating decades of proprietary chemistry expertise into AI-powered software that accelerates innovation from lab to market. You'll own the product vision and roadmap for AI applications that embed intelligence directly into our R&D workflows—moving beyond generic chatbots to
AI that ideates, recommends, and executes
alongside our scientists. Working at the intersection of cutting-edge AI technology, materials science, and global R&D operations, you'll coordinate cross-functional teams spanning data scientists, software engineers, chemists, and external AI partners to deliver secure, high-impact solutions. This isn't just product management—it's pioneering a competitive advantage in an industry where AI adoption will separate leaders from followers. If you have deep R&D experience, AI/data science expertise, and the vision to turn complex technical challenges into transformative products, this is your opportunity to define how a Fortune 500 materials science company wins with AI.
In addition to our diverse benefits, a full-time position comes with an attractive starting salary between €111,300/ year and €139,100/ year, plus a variable component. The starting salary is based on your qualifications and professional experience.
Major Tasks & Responsibilities:
Strategy & Vision:
Communicate the Digital R&D AI Strategy to stakeholders and maintain organizational buy-in
Own the product roadmap and prioritization framework
Prioritize opportunities based on user value, business impact, scientific relevance, data readiness, technical feasibility, risk, and adoption potential
Balance near-term delivery of practical AI features with the long-term development of AI-native R&D capabilities
Maintain a transparent roadmap that supports agile delivery while
remaining
understandable to R&D leadership and expert users
Stakeholder and User Management:
Build trusted relationships
with relationships
with R&D chemists, simulation experts, and other end users
Run structured discovery through Jobs-to-be-Done interviews, workflow analysis, value-stream mapping, prototyping, pilot groups, user testing, and feedback loops.
Manage leadership expectations and communications on product progress
Coordinate with IT, security, and external vendor on product-level needs
Define clear problem statements, target users, success metrics, and adoption assumptions before scaling a use case.
Business & Operations:
Drive use case validation and ROI quantification
with measurable value propositions and business cases for AI produ
ct initiatives.
Manage budget priorities and resource allocation decisions
Own vendor selection for non-technical product services
Track and report on product metrics, adoption, and business outcomes.
AI product definition and delivery:
Translate validated R&D problems into product requirements, epics, user stories, acceptance criteria, experiment plans, and release scopes
Work closely with Lead AI Experts, data scientists, software engineers, UX designers, architects, and external partners to shape
feasible
product solutions
Support agile delivery through backlog refinement, sprint planning, review sessions, release planning, and prioritization decisions
Basic Qualifications
:
5+ years of experience in product management, product ownership, digital product development, AI product development, or comparable roles
management in large global and cross-functional initiatives
Proven ability to translate complex scientific, technical, or operational problems into clear product requirements and delivery priorities
Strong product discovery skills, including user research, problem framing, prototyping, validation, prioritization, and impact measurement
Practical understanding of AI, machine learning, generative AI, RAG, AI agents, data products, or algorithmic decision-support systems
Experience working with technical teams such as data scientists, software engineers, AI engineers, architects, UX designers, or platform teams
Strong stakeholder management skills across expert users, technical teams, middle management, and senior leadership
Preferred Qualifications:
PhD
in a science or engineering field with 5+ years’ experience conducting R&D or process optimization in an industrial setting; OR Master’s degree in a science or engineering field with 6+ years’ experience conducting R&D or process optimization in an industrial setting
5+ years of relevant experience in data science/ data analytics/ generative AI
Experience building AI products for enterprise users, expert users, or internal knowledge workers
Familiarity with scientific data, experimental workflows, lab systems, knowledge management, ELN/LIMS, simulation tools, patent/literature search, or technical documentation
Experience defining AI product evaluation methods, model-quality metrics, human-in-the-loop workflows, and responsible AI guardrails
Completed coursework and certifications in machine learning, deep learning, AI agents, software engineering using AI
For initial questions, Chris Rziha ([email protected]) is happy to help. Please do not use this email address to send your application or CV. To apply, please click the "Apply" button. Applications submitted by email will not be considered.
#LI-Hybrid
Perfection? Not required!
The requirements are not met 100%, but you are still interested in the position? Are you curious, courageous and colorful as we are? No problem!
We'll tackle this together - as a team! With proper onboarding and tailored development opportunities.
Apply now!
We look forward to receive your application! Become #1ofUs!
Anyone who wants to contribute to a better world with Covestro can also expect a lot.
We want you to feel at home at Covestro. To feel you’re treated fairly and transparently. That means financial security, a healthy work-life balance and generous benefits.
Specifically, it means for us: flexible working hours, the compatibility of family and work, active health promotion and the ability to convert part of your salary into long-term or retirement savings. And that's not all.
Sounds exciting? Find out more about Covestro and our benefits here:
https://www.career.covestro.de/de/about-covestro/covestro-as-an-employer/employee-benefits
Contact Us
www.covestro.com
Covestro welcomes applications from all individuals, regardless of racial or ethnic origin, skin color, nationality, religion, philosophy, gender, age, physical characteristics, marital status, disability, appearance, sexual orientation and sexual identity. We are committed to treating all applicants fairly and avoiding discrimination.