Innovation Research Lead

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As an Innovation Research Lead within Hitachi Energy’s Innovation-as-a-Service function, you will combine proactive research and analysis of emerging digital technology trends, including artificial intelligence, with the assessment of internal innovation needs.

You will conduct emerging technology research, horizon scanning, and technology foresight, oversee technology and solution scouting, and lead the analytical outputs for innovation topics. You will also guide and coordinate analytical contributors within the team.

This role includes researching the emerging technology landscape and translating findings into concrete, easily digestible outputs, both through your own research and by coordinating contributions from others. You will deliver structured research on trends and technologies, assessed in the context of Hitachi Energy, producing evidence-based materials that support clear, actionable recommendations. Alongside this work, you will proactively maintain selected reusable innovation intelligence repositories, including a technology trend radar, trend profiles, trend reports, and other documented insights in a shared knowledge base, connecting existing knowledge with research outcomes. Over time, you will adapt the types of outputs to the company’s needs.

How you’ll make an impact

• Be at the forefront of emerging digital technologies. Conduct horizon scanning research, emerging technology scouting, technology foresight, and market option comparisons for innovation topics accepted for assessment, working within agreed scope boundaries. Produce lists of market options and concise technology landscape summaries.
• Support the assessment of internal Innovation-as-a-Service needs by bringing external trends into the company context and translating internal innovation ideas into evidence-based inputs for clear technology recommendations. Coordinate input from other contributors, including market and internal options, to help define a clear innovation path.
• Conduct feasibility assessments in cooperation with other stakeholders. Outline validation options where a proof of concept or further investigation is recommended, ensuring the outputs are technically grounded and appropriately scoped.
• Select the delivery format appropriate to the audience, including written reports, comparison matrices, shared knowledge-base entries, and presentation-ready summaries.
• Produce structured evidence packages containing technology landscape summaries, option comparisons, feasibility findings, and validation outlines. Ensure these are clear, concise, and ready for use in preparing recommendations.
• Proactively maintain selected technology trend overviews, reusable trend profiles, and documented insights. Maintain emerging technology deep dives and contribute to trend reports where relevant.
• Document completed innovation assessments in a shared knowledge base. Before initiating new research, proactively flag existing internal capabilities that may address an incoming topic.
• Oversee and collaborate with other Innovation-as-a-Service specialists to ensure comprehensive and well-aligned proactive research and innovation consulting services.
• Support and oversee the solution architect and the specialist responsible for vendor and ecosystem relationships, where needed.
• Guide and coordinate other analytical contributors, including junior analysts. Review output quality, provide direction on research methodology, and ensure consistent research and analysis within agreed scope boundaries.

Your background

• At least five years of professional experience in emerging digital technology research, technology scouting, technology foresight, innovation consulting, market intelligence, or applied AI research in an enterprise context.
• Strong research and analytical skills across AI, data, and digital technologies, with experience producing technology landscape comparisons, feasibility assessments, and vendor evaluations.
• Strong understanding of and passion for emerging technology trends, with a particular focus on artificial intelligence. Familiarity with innovation lifecycle concepts and frameworks, including insights, validation, proof of concept, and delivery.
• Experience working with ambiguous, early-stage innovation topics and producing structured outputs that support decisions in a complex corporate environment.
• Demonstrated ability to coordinate input from multiple contributors and to guide and coordinate junior analysts.
• Excellent documentation practices and the ability to prepare clear written materials ready for use by non-specialist audiences. Fluent English

• Proactive and creative mindset: You anticipate and adapt to new challenges and topics, readily connecting the dots.
• Patience and persistence in research: You seek a deep understanding of a topic and conduct thorough scouting research that goes beyond a superficial assessment.

The final offer will be based on candidate location, skills and qualifications, experience, and aligned with internal pay structures.​

​This role may be open in multiple locations. If the salary information listed is not applicable for your current home location, salary details relevant to your location will be discussed with you at a later stage.​

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Our benefit offering is tailored based on your country of employment and generally includes:​

• Competitive salary and incentives​
• Well-being and care ​
• Paid and unpaid leave​
• Flexible work options ​
• Benefits that support your financial security​

You will receive more specific information during the recruitment process.

Accessibility and reasonable accommodation

Qualified individuals with a disability may request a reasonable accommodation if you are unable or limited in your ability to use or access the Hitachi Energy career site as a result of your disability. You may request reasonable accommodations by completing ageneral inquiry form on our website. Please include your contact information and specific details about your required accommodation to support you during the job application process.

This is solely for job seekers with disabilities requiring accessibility assistance or an accommodation in the job application process. Messages left for other purposes will not receive a response.

Use of Al and automated tools in recruitment

As part of our recruitment process, Hitachi Energy uses digital and automated tools, including Al-supported solutions, to assist with activities such as application screening, job matching, and interview scheduling. These tools are designed to support our recruiters and do not replace human decision-making. Candidate data is processed in accordance with applicable data protection and employment laws as well asHitachi's Global Data Privacy Notice.

Background Screening and Security Checks

As part of the hiring process, Hitachi Energy conducts pre-employment background checks that may include verification of employment history, education, criminal records, and other relevant information, in accordance with applicable laws.

For certain roles—particularly those involving access to sensitive information, financial responsibilities, client data, regulated environments, or security-sensitive functions—additional or more comprehensive background or security screenings may be required. These may include, but are not limited to, enhanced criminal history checks, credit history reviews (where legally permissible), sanctions screening, or other due diligence measures aligned with the responsibilities of the position.

The scope and depth of any background or security review will be determined based on the nature of the role and business necessity, and will always be conducted in compliance with applicable federal, state, and local laws. Candidates will be notified and, where required, asked to provide consent prior to the initiation of any such checks.