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:
Prioritize opportunities based on user value, business impact, scientific relevance, data readiness, technical feasibility, risk, and adoption potential
Stakeholder and User Management:
Run structured discovery through Jobs-to-be-Done interviews, workflow analysis, value-stream mapping, prototyping, pilot groups, user testing, and feedback loops.
Define clear problem statements, target users, success metrics, and adoption assumptions before scaling a use case.
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
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
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:
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
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.
