Innovation careers: salaries, studies, job opportunities, and key skills
Technological and strategic innovation lies at the heart of economic growth and business competitiveness across all industries. Innovation careers cover a wide spectrum—from research and development to strategic management, including design and marketing, for instance. Students and working professionals alike can train for these roles, which offer dynamic career paths and international employment opportunities.
What are today’s innovation careers?
Innovation careers are diversifying with evolving technologies and market needs in constant flux. Today, they can be grouped into three main categories.
Technical innovation careers include:
- Research and Innovation Engineer: Designs new products and improves industrial processes
- Process Engineer: Automates production lines
- Patent Officer: Protects inventions
- Materials Expert: Develops innovative composites for industries such as aerospace.
Leadership, change management, and innovation orchestration are handled by professionals such as:
- Innovation Project Manager or Product Innovation Manager: Oversees the development of innovative solutions,
- Innovation Manager: Defines innovation strategy and leads multidisciplinary teams,
- CSR Manager: Integrates sustainable innovation into corporate strategy,
- Innovation Management Consultant: Implements agile methods such as design thinking,
- Business Developer: Identifies new markets for innovations.
The digital and green transitions have fostered the emergence of new careers, such as:
- Data Scientist: Uses artificial intelligence to optimize products and services,
- Smart Grid Expert: Optimizes intelligent electrical networks,
- Energy Efficiency Consultant: Supports companies in their sustainable development transition,
- Social Innovation Consultant: Implements positive-impact social projects,
- e-Health Innovation Manager: Oversees digital solution development in healthcare institutions.
What studies lead to innovation careers?
Several programs from business school or engineering schools lead to innovation-related professions. To aim for excellence, choose a top-tier school recognized by industry professionals, such as emlyon business school and its elite bac+5 (Master’s level) degrees, globally valued by the most demanding recruiters:
The MSc in Global Innovation & Entrepreneurship will equip you with the knowledge and skills you need to create and lead innovative projects. Through international experience in three countries, you will discover dynamic entrepreneurial ecosystems and develop your network.
The Master in Data Science & Artificial Intelligence Strategy aims to teach advanced methods and techniques for mastering the concepts and skills essential to designing AI strategies. Understanding artificial intelligence and data science in a responsible way is possible through learning methods that combine technical, strategic, and ethical approaches.
Brochure of the Master in Data Science & Artificial Intelligence Strategy
What skills are needed to grow in innovation careers?
Innovation skills are developed through higher education programs, internships, and professional experience.
Technical skills
To build a career in innovation, mastering advanced technical know-how is essential:
- Proficiency in R&D methodologies,
- Knowledge of digital transformation tools,
- Expertise in design thinking,
- Innovation and transformation project management,
- Strategic technology monitoring,
- Basic programming in Python and SQL.
Soft skills and human qualities
Key competencies required in the innovation sector include soft skills and personal attributes:
- Creativity and the ability to think “outside the box,”
- Critical thinking to objectively assess ideas, suggestions, and solutions,
- Intellectual curiosity and a constant desire to learn,
- Problem-solving ability,
- Adaptability to changing environments,
- Collaborative leadership to unite teams around innovative projects,
- Open-mindedness to foster a disruptive vision.
Career opportunities and outlook
Innovation careers are diverse and open doors to strategic leadership positions.
What jobs can you access after a master’s in innovation management?
After completing a master’s in innovation, you can start as a business developer, strategy consultant, or junior innovation manager.
Possible career progressions
After several years of experience, you may advance to positions such as Director of Innovation, Chief Technology Officer (CTO), R&D Director, or Business Unit Manager.
What is the salary in innovation careers?
Innovation salaries vary based on experience, sector, and location, with significant differences.
Average salary by role
A research engineer generally earns between €35,000 and €45,000 gross per year as a beginner.
An experienced innovation project manager typically reaches €70,000, while senior innovation managers in large corporations often exceed €100,000.
Salary growth and sector variations
Tech and healthcare sectors offer the highest salaries in innovation management—around 20% above average.
Large corporations tend to pay more than SMEs, while startups often provide compensation packages that include profit-sharing.
Gross monthly salaries are generally higher in the United States, Switzerland, and Singapore than in France.
Career progression in this field can be rapid, depending on niche skills, opportunities, and professional recognition.
What is the salary in innovation professions?
Remuneration in innovation varies significantly depending on experience, sector, and location.
Major corporations, startups, and public organizations
Here are some key employers:
- Sanofi,
- Dassault Systèmes,
- Bpifrance,
- Schneider Electric,
- L’Oréal,
- Vinci,
- INRAE,
- Engie…
Focus on Innovative Sectors
Sectors currently hiring include:
- Industry 4.0,
- Digital Health,
- Decarbonized Energy,
- Circular Economy,
- Sustainable Mobility,
- FinTech,
- AgTech,
- Smart Cities…
Job focus: spotlight on 3 innovation roles
These hybrid profiles—at the crossroads of technology and strategic vision—illustrate the diversity of innovation careers.
Business Developer
The business developer seeks tech partnerships and analyzes emerging markets.
Key skills include negotiation and sector monitoring.
Innovation Manager
The innovation manager leads multidisciplinary teams to implement disruptive projects.
This position is typically accessible after five years of R&D experience and additional agile training to develop leadership and strategic vision.
Product Development Manager
The product development manager occupies a key position between R&D and marketing.
With creativity and innovation, they oversee the lifecycle of an innovative product—from research to market launch.
Why study innovation management today?
In an era of accelerated transformation, innovation management has become a strategic skill for driving change and creating lasting value.
Companies are actively seeking hybrid profiles—comfortable with agile methodologies and capable of uniting multidisciplinary teams around ambitious, visionary innovation projects.
Innovation, digital transformation, and sustainable development: A future-defining trio
Sustainable innovation and digital transformation are now inseparable, forming a virtuous cycle where emerging technologies accelerate ecological transition.
Companies mastering this trio—and hiring graduates from prestigious innovation programs—gain competitiveness while meeting rising societal expectations.
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