Head of Business Unit Offshore Wind Measurement - Job Opportunity at Fraunhofer-Institut für Windenergiesysteme IWES

Bremen, Germany
Full-time
Executive
Posted: June 23, 2025
Hybrid
EUR 3,380 - 5,950 per month

Benefits

Flexible working hours with core time system enabling optimal work-life balance and personal productivity optimization
Remote work opportunities providing geographic flexibility and reduced commuting costs
Emergency childcare support ensuring business continuity and family peace of mind
Comprehensive employee discount program covering events, clothing, and vacation packages
Deutschland-Ticket job transportation benefit supporting sustainable mobility and reducing commuting expenses
Extensive professional development programs including management training and technical skill enhancement
Performance-based variable compensation components beyond base salary
Public sector collective wage agreement benefits providing job security and comprehensive social benefits

Key Responsibilities

Lead strategic development and operational management of the Offshore Wind Measurement business unit as a key member of the management board reporting directly to the Chief Technology Officer
Drive innovation and market leadership in metocean characterization methods for offshore wind farm development, directly impacting the global renewable energy transition
Manage and develop a team of approximately 20 specialized professionals across two technical groups, fostering scientific excellence and commercial success
Execute personnel and budget planning responsibilities for the division, ensuring optimal resource allocation and financial performance
Lead strategically critical projects that shape the future of offshore wind measurement technologies and establish industry standards
Collaborate with international partners, customers, and research institutions to advance the field of wind measurement and oceanographic analysis
Oversee cutting-edge research and development in LiDAR buoys, scanning LiDAR, and wind radar technologies
Translate advanced research methodologies into commercial applications that benefit industry customers and accelerate offshore wind deployment

Requirements

Education

Diploma or master's degree in a natural science or engineering field

Experience

Experience in the wind energy sector from industry or industry-related research with global market overview

Required Skills

acquisition and management of research and development projects personnel management at eye level financial responsibility in-depth expertise in metocean for offshore wind farms wind measurements oceanographic measurements remote sensing wind farm development effective communication skills fluent English both written and spoken
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Sauge AI Market Intelligence

Industry Trends

The offshore wind energy sector is experiencing unprecedented global expansion, with European markets leading the way and new markets emerging in Asia-Pacific and North America, creating massive demand for specialized measurement and assessment expertise. Digitization and advanced sensing technologies are revolutionizing offshore wind development, with LiDAR, remote sensing, and AI-driven analytics becoming critical for site characterization and risk reduction. The integration of hydrogen production with offshore wind farms is creating new technical challenges and opportunities, requiring sophisticated metocean expertise to optimize combined energy systems. Climate change adaptation and extreme weather resilience are driving demand for more precise and comprehensive offshore environmental monitoring and forecasting capabilities.

Salary Evaluation

The provided salary range of EUR 3,380-5,950 per month (approximately EUR 40,560-71,400 annually) appears conservative for an executive-level position in Germany's renewable energy sector. Comparable roles typically command EUR 80,000-120,000 annually, suggesting additional performance bonuses and benefits likely supplement the base compensation to reach market-competitive levels.

Role Significance

Direct management of approximately 20 professionals across two specialized groups, with broader influence over the 60+ person offshore wind business unit and collaboration with 30+ students and researchers.
This is a senior executive position with significant strategic responsibility, combining technical leadership with business development and P&L management. The role sits at the intersection of cutting-edge research and commercial application, requiring both scientific credibility and business acumen.

Key Projects

Development of next-generation LiDAR measurement systems for offshore wind site assessment Large-scale metocean data collection and analysis programs for major offshore wind developers Innovation projects combining wind measurement with hydrogen production optimization International research collaborations advancing offshore wind measurement standards and methodologies

Success Factors

Deep technical expertise in metocean science combined with practical understanding of offshore wind development challenges and commercial constraints Strong leadership capabilities to inspire and coordinate multidisciplinary teams of scientists, engineers, and business professionals in a research environment Strategic vision to identify emerging market opportunities and translate research capabilities into commercial success Excellent stakeholder management skills to navigate relationships with industry partners, research institutions, and regulatory bodies Cultural competency and language skills to work effectively in international collaborations and global market development

Market Demand

Extremely high demand driven by aggressive renewable energy targets, with specialized offshore wind measurement expertise being one of the most sought-after skill sets in the clean energy transition.

Important Skills

Critical Skills

Metocean expertise is absolutely fundamental as offshore wind projects require precise understanding of wind, wave, and environmental conditions to ensure technical and financial success. This knowledge directly impacts project feasibility, turbine selection, and risk management strategies. Project management and acquisition skills are essential given the competitive nature of research funding and the need to deliver complex technical projects on time and within budget while maintaining scientific rigor. Personnel management capabilities are crucial for leading diverse teams of highly skilled scientists and engineers, requiring the ability to balance research excellence with commercial objectives and maintain team motivation in challenging technical environments. Strategic thinking and market understanding are vital for identifying research opportunities that align with industry needs and can be translated into commercial success and sustainable competitive advantage.

Beneficial Skills

Digitization and data analytics expertise will become increasingly valuable as offshore wind measurement generates massive datasets requiring advanced analysis techniques and AI-driven insights. Hydrogen technology knowledge represents a significant growth opportunity as offshore wind-to-hydrogen projects develop, requiring integrated expertise in both wind measurement and hydrogen production optimization. International business development skills will be essential for expanding research collaborations and commercial applications in emerging offshore wind markets globally. Regulatory and standards expertise will become more important as the industry matures and standardization becomes critical for global market development and technology transfer.

Unique Aspects

Opportunity to shape global offshore wind industry standards through world-leading research and development activities
Access to cutting-edge measurement technologies and research infrastructure not available in purely commercial environments
Direct involvement in Germany's energy transition strategy and European renewable energy policy development
Unique position bridging academic research excellence with immediate commercial application and industry impact
Leadership role in emerging technologies such as floating offshore wind and offshore hydrogen production

Career Growth

Typical progression to C-suite or senior VP roles occurs within 5-8 years, given the high-growth nature of the offshore wind sector and the strategic importance of measurement technologies.

Potential Next Roles

Chief Technology Officer or Chief Scientific Officer at renewable energy companies or research institutions Vice President of Technology at major offshore wind developers or engineering consultancies Managing Director of specialized offshore wind measurement and consulting firms Director of International Business Development for renewable energy technology companies

Company Overview

Fraunhofer-Institut für Windenergiesysteme IWES

Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft represents Europe's largest applied research organization with 76 institutes, 32,000 employees, and a EUR 3.4 billion annual research budget. The IWES division specifically focuses on wind energy systems and hydrogen technologies, positioning itself at the forefront of Germany's Energiewende initiative.

Fraunhofer IWES is recognized as a world leader in offshore wind research and development, with significant influence on industry standards and best practices. The organization's reputation provides exceptional credibility and access to major industry players and government initiatives.
Based in Bremen and Bremerhaven, the role sits at the heart of Germany's offshore wind industry cluster, with proximity to major wind energy companies, port facilities, and the North Sea development area.
The organization emphasizes collaborative research culture, international cooperation, and knowledge transfer between academia and industry. The work environment supports both scientific rigor and practical application, with strong emphasis on diversity and professional development.
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