Head of Emerging Technology Scouting & Incubation

Merck • San Jose, CA

3d • Hybrid

About The Position

As Head of Emerging Technology Scouting & Incubation (ETSI), you will expand Electronics‘ innovation space by understanding emerging technology needs, identifying high-potential opportunity areas, and incubating them into validated business cases ready for Business Unit transition. You will lead frontier technology scouting across materials and beyond-materials domains, manage internal and external proof-of-concepts (POCs), and own technical due diligence for strategic M&A targets. Your leadership will drive impactful external partnerships/research collaborations (JDAs), incubators that translate into new product introductions (NPI), and a strong early-stage pipeline. You will architect technology roadmaps, drive the Frontier Technology Board, and partner with internal stakeholders to translate emerging technology insights into new revenue streams and competitive advantage. You will use a clear process with defined priorities, milestones, and responsibilities to move ideas from technology scouting and POCs to validated business cases and successful handover to the relevant Business Units.

Requirements

• Master degree in Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Materials Science, Electrical Engineering, Computer Science or similar discipline with 8+ years of experience in technology scouting, R&D leadership, and/or corporate development with a track record of leading successful incubations, POCs, or M&A technical due diligence Or PhD in Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Materials Science, Electrical Engineering, Computer Science or similar discipline with 6+ years of experience in technology scouting, R&D leadership, and/or corporate development with a track record of leading successful incubations, POCs, or M&A technical due diligence
• Deep understanding of electronics, optoelectronics, packaging, advanced materials, semiconductor processes, or related frontier technologies.
• Strong business acumen with the ability to translate insights into tangible business value and clear ROI.
• Demonstrated ability to lead multidisciplinary teams, influence at the executive level, and manage complex programs with multiple stakeholders.

Nice To Haves

• 15+ years of experience in technology scouting, R&D leadership, in the electronics industry.
• Track record of conducting rigorous technical assessments of emerging technologies, evaluating IP quality, competitive differentiation, and feasibility for acquisition or partnership.
• Experience designing and managing early-stage technology incubation programs, including setting success criteria, managing rapid learning cycles, and making disciplined go/no-go decisions.
• Proven experience leading technical due diligence for corporate acquisitions or partnerships, assessing technology risk, integration complexity, and value creation potential.
• Experience leading multidisciplinary teams spanning technical, business development, and strategic functions to advance frontier technology initiatives.
• Comfort using market data, technical metrics, and portfolio analytics to prioritize opportunity areas and make investments in emerging technology exploration.
• Strong understanding of how emerging technologies translate to business value, market opportunity, and revenue potential; ability to build business cases for frontier exploration investments.

Responsibilities

• Identify emerging opportunity areas in industry technology roadmaps : map technology inflection points, materials opportunities, and risks across Electronics markets; monitor external signals (startups, academia, suppliers, consortia, patent trends) to spot high-potential emerging technologies poised for impact.
• Validate opportunity areas through best-fit external / internal proof-of-concepts (e.g. JDAs, incubators): define success criteria, metrics, and go/no-go decision thresholds; oversee early-stage incubators/POCs leveraging internal resources, external collaborations, and incubators.
• Identify frontier tech M&A targets & own technical due diligence (thought partner to M-Ventures and M&A team): assess targets operating in BU-adjacent spaces or outside existing BU businesses; deliver structured technical assessments and integration readiness plans to inform investment decisions.
• Tech steering for Electronics BU Business Development teams (e.g., Future Optical Technologies, Advanced Packaging): align scouting outputs with BU strategic goals, technology roadmaps, and innovation horizons; provide technology foresight to guide BU investment decisions.
• Drive Business Development for emerging technology that goes beyond Business Unit horizons/scope: identify cross-domain opportunities, new market adjacencies, and potential revenue streams outside current BU portfolios; partner with M-Ventures and business stakeholders to explore build/partner/buy options.
• Drive operations and impact of the Frontier Technology Board , shaping and driving its objectives, agenda, engagement model and participants.
• Foster ecosystem building by liaising with internal groups (R&D and M-Ventures) and external partners to advance emerging technology pathfinding.
• Assess R&D capabilities, identify gaps, and define actions to realize EL’s long-term technology vision while championing science-driven decision making, rapid experimentation, and responsible innovation.

Benefits

• We believe that this variety drives excellence and innovation, strengthening our ability to lead in science and technology.
• We are committed to creating access and opportunities for all to develop and grow at your own pace.
• Join us in building a culture of inclusion and belonging that impacts millions and empowers everyone to work their magic and champion human progress!
• Apply now and become a part of a team that is dedicated to Sparking Discovery and Elevating Humanity!

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior