Innovation Consultant – Manufacturing

Are you passionate about advanced manufacturing, industrial innovation, and strengthening Europe’s industrial competitiveness? At PNO Innovation, we turn ambitious ideas into funded, high impact projects. As a leading European innovation and funding consultancy, we support organisations in accessing and managing major EU programmes such as HORIZON Europe, the Innovation Fund, RFCS, and LIFE, with a strong focus on industrial transformation and technological excellence.

We are looking for a driven Innovation Consultant to join our Manufacturing team in Italy. You will collaborate with leading manufacturing companies, technology providers, and research organisations to develop competitive EU funded projects that accelerate industrial innovation, digitalisation, sustainability, and process optimisation.

As an Innovation Consultant, you will bridge the gap between industrial innovation and EU funding success. Your core responsibility will be writing and coordinating competitive EU proposals, ensuring technical excellence, strategic positioning, and strong industrial impact.

You will work closely with manufacturing clients to structure high quality projects in areas such as advanced manufacturing, Industry 4.0, digitalisation, automation, circular production systems, energy efficient manufacturing, and low carbon industrial processes.

• Develop, write, and coordinate high quality grant proposals under HORIZON Europe, the Innovation Fund, and CEF.

• Lead proposal development processes, ensuring excellence in technical content, impact, and implementation sections.

• Provide strategic consulting to manufacturing clients on innovation strategy and EU funding opportunities.

• Translate industrial roadmaps and technical concepts into competitive EU project proposals.

• Support consortium building, stakeholder alignment, and proposal coordination activities.

• Advise clients on navigating EU funding landscapes and selecting the right instruments.

• Monitor trends in advanced manufacturing, industrial digitalisation, automation, decarbonisation of production, and circular manufacturing.

• Deliver workshops and advisory sessions on EU funding strategy and proposal development.

• 3 to 5 years of experience in innovation consulting, EU grant writing, or R&D roles within the manufacturing or industrial sector.

• Proven hands on experience with EU funding programmes, particularly HORIZON Europe, the Innovation Fund, RFCS, and LIFE.

• Demonstrated experience in writing and coordinating EU proposals, not only contributing as a junior team member.

• Strong technical background in industrial engineering, manufacturing engineering, mechanical engineering, process engineering, automation, or related fields.

• Solid understanding of advanced manufacturing, Industry 4.0, digital transformation of production, or sustainable manufacturing systems.

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills in both Italian and English.

• Strong analytical skills and ability to translate complex technical concepts into clear, structured proposals.

• Client oriented mindset and ability to manage multiple stakeholders.

• Competitive salary package of 35,000 to 45,000 euro, aligned with experience and responsibilities.

• Work flexibility: primarily remote work within Italy with monthly in person meetings.

• Opportunity to work with leading manufacturing companies and cutting edge industrial technologies.

• Direct involvement in high impact European innovation projects.

• Continuous training and professional development opportunities.

• International, collaborative, and knowledge driven working environment.

• A key role in strengthening European industrial competitiveness and sustainable manufacturing.