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Technology Scouting Jobs (NOW HIRING)

AFL

Market Innovation Research Manager

Dallas, TX · On-site

Technology Scouting & Market Intelligence * Conduct continuous technology scouting across optical fiber, photonics, CPO, AI data center infrastructure, and adjacent domains * Track technology ...

Brewer Science, Inc.

Technology Strategist

$125K - $150K/yr

Perform early-stage scouting of emerging technologies, assessing scientific validity, scalability, manufacturability, and relevance to customer needs. * Conduct structured competitive analyses ...

Lapp

Innovations Engineer

Florham Park, NJ · On-site

$80K - $90K/yr

OTHER DUTIES MAY BE ASSIGNED. 1. Innovation Strategy & Technology Scouting (Primary Focus) • Researches and evaluates new technologies, materials, manufacturing methods, and market trends to ...

Small Business Consulting Corporation

Guide technology scouting, vendor down-selection, and integration with SBIR/STTR and DoD acquisition processes. * Support showcase events and represent RCD at industry engagements to identify ...

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How much do technology scouting jobs pay per hour?

As of Jun 27, 2026, the average hourly pay for technology scouting in the United States is $20.43, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $16.35 and $25.00 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Technology Scouting professional, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Technology Scouting professional, you need a strong background in technology trends, market analysis, and research, often supported by a degree in engineering, science, or business. Familiarity with technology databases, patent search tools, and innovation management platforms is typically required. Outstanding communication, networking, and critical thinking skills help you build relationships and evaluate opportunities effectively. These competencies enable you to identify, assess, and recommend emerging technologies that drive strategic business growth.

What is the difference between Technology Scouting vs Innovation Analyst?

AspectTechnology ScoutingInnovation Analyst
Required CredentialsTypically a degree in engineering, technology, or related fieldsOften a degree in business, management, or technology
Work EnvironmentResearch-focused, exploring emerging technologies and startupsAnalyzing market trends and developing innovation strategies
Employer & Industry UsageR&D departments, tech companies, innovation labsCorporate strategy teams, consulting firms, innovation departments

Technology Scouting involves identifying and evaluating emerging technologies and startups to support R&D efforts. Innovation Analysts focus on analyzing market trends and developing strategies to foster innovation within organizations. While both roles support innovation, Technology Scouting is more research-oriented, whereas Innovation Analysts emphasize strategic analysis and planning.

What are some typical challenges faced by professionals in Technology Scouting roles, and how can they be addressed?

Professionals in Technology Scouting often encounter challenges such as rapidly evolving technologies, difficulty assessing the commercial viability of innovations, and aligning discoveries with their organization's strategic goals. To address these challenges, it's important to develop a strong network within both the industry and academia, regularly engage with cross-functional teams to understand business needs, and use structured evaluation frameworks to assess new technologies. Staying proactive about market trends and maintaining clear communication with stakeholders can also help navigate uncertainties and ensure successful technology adoption.

What is technology scouting?

Technology scouting is the process of identifying and evaluating emerging technologies, trends, and innovations that can benefit an organization. Professionals in this role search for new scientific advances, startups, or solutions outside the company that can be integrated to improve products, services, or processes. They often collaborate with R&D teams, industry experts, and external partners to ensure their organization stays ahead of technological developments. Technology scouts play a crucial role in driving innovation and maintaining competitiveness in fast-evolving markets.
More about Technology Scouting jobs
What states have the most Technology Scouting jobs? States with the most job openings for Technology Scouting jobs include:
What job categories do people searching Technology Scouting jobs look for? The top searched job categories for Technology Scouting jobs are:
Technology Scouting jobs near you
Infographic showing various Technology Scouting job openings in the United States as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 78% Full Time, 11% Part Time, and 11% Temporary. Highlights an 89% In-person, and 11% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $42,501 per year, or $20.4 per hour.

Market Innovation Research Manager

Afl Telecommunications Llc

Dallas, TX • Hybrid

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement

Posted 11 days ago

Job description

AFL manufactures industry-leading fiber optic cable, connectivity and accessories and provides engineering and installation services for some of the largest telecom customers in the world. Our company was founded in 1984 with a single fiber optic cable and today, we manufacture thousands of products, generate an excess of $3B in revenue, and employ approximately 12,000 associates worldwide. At AFL, we recognize that our employees are our greatest asset. We hire and train each individual, investing in them to ensure success in their careers. With a commitment to professional development and growth, let us connect you to your next career opportunity.

 What We Offer:

  • A hybrid in office schedule for qualifying employees
  • Flexible time off policy
  • 401K Company match (up to 4% - dollar for dollar)
  • Professional development, training, and tuition reimbursement programs
  • Excellent medical, dental, vision, and life insurance policy options
  • Opportunities for career advancement with an industry leading company!

The Market Innovation Research Manager leads deep-domain innovation research and technology scouting to inform AFL’s strategic direction as part of the Innovation and Emerging technologies function. This role identifies emerging technologies, evaluates adjacent market opportunities, and delivers actionable insights that strengthen AFL’s portfolio, partnerships, and thought leadership across the fiber optics and connectivity ecosystem. 

Responsibilities:

Technology Scouting & Market Intelligence

  • Conduct continuous technology scouting across optical fiber, photonics, CPO, AI data center infrastructure, and adjacent domains 
  • Track technology maturity and evolution to inform structured innovation roadmaps 
  • Develop forward-looking scenario analyses mapping technology trajectories to AFL’s portfolio using different frameworks (e.g. “Four Future” positioning)
  • Represents AFL at Key Industry events and conferences as well as lead AFL’s participation in different forums such as MSA, IEEE, etc.

Innovation Road Mapping & Strategic Insights

  • Develop and maintain innovation roadmaps with quarterly refresh cycles 
  • Translate research findings into strategic recommendations on technology positioning and investment prioritization 
  • Deliver executive-ready insights to guide long-term portfolio development 
  • Align long term innovation plans with immediate Product/solution development initiatives
  • Own the long-term technology development pipeline, maintaining a multi-horizon view (3-5+ years) of technologies advancing toward strategic and commercial relevance for AFL

Adjacent Market Opportunity Assessment

  • Identify and evaluate adjacent market opportunities aligned to AFL capabilities 
  • Conduct market sizing, competitive analysis, and strategic fit assessments for specific technologies
  • Produce structured opportunity assessments to support investment decisions 
  • Define and apply screening criteria (strategic fit, market timing, technology readiness, profit pool potential) to ensure the Innovation and Emerging Technologies and Scale-Up resources concentrate on the highest-value opportunities

Thought Leadership & Research Publications

  • Author white papers, trend briefs, ESG-aligned insights, and market analyses 
  • Establish AFL as an industry thought leader through research-driven content

 Strategic Partnerships & Ecosystem Development

  • Build and manage strategic technical partnerships including MSAs, JDAs, and academic collaborations 
  • Maintain partnership pipeline visibility and engagement tracking 
  • Collaborate internally and externally to expand the innovation ecosystem 

 Innovation Pipeline Development

  • Feed the discovery process with qualified innovation candidates supported by business case summaries 
  • Maintain a pipeline aligned to strategic priorities and readiness 
  • Partner cross-functionally to transition insights into execution pathways
  • Maintain funnel health metrics and visibility — pipeline volume, conversion rates by stage, and time-in-stage — reported through the IET operating cadence 

 Qualifications:

  • Bachelor’s degree required; advanced degree preferred 
  • 7+ years in market research, innovation strategy, technology scouting, or related roles 
  • Strong analytical skills including market sizing and competitive analysis 
  • Ability to translate technical insights into business strategy 
  • Excellent communication and stakeholder engagement skills 
  • Domain knowledge in optical communications, photonics, data center infrastructure, or adjacent technology markets strongly preferred
  • Familiarity with industry standards bodies, MSAs, or multi-party technical collaborations a plus

Working Conditions:

  • Environment: Office-based, Hybrid or Remote work environment flexibility possible
  • Travel: Moderate travel (domestic and international) as needed.

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