Job Description
Join NextGen Labs at the forefront of tomorrow's breakthroughs. We're seeking a visionary 2026 Futurist Innovation Strategist to architect our next-generation roadmap and transform emerging trends into market-disrupting solutions. This role demands a blend of radical imagination, data-driven foresight, and cross-industry collaboration to shape products that will define the next decade.
In our dynamic Austin hub, you'll work alongside Nobel laureates, AI pioneers, and sustainability architects to decode complex signals from biotech, quantum computing, and climate tech. We offer unparalleled resources including our FutureWorks Innovation Lab and global partner ecosystem. If you thrive at the intersection of science fiction and scientific reality, this is your calling.
Responsibilities
- Develop 5-10 year innovation roadmaps by analyzing emerging technologies and societal shifts
- Lead cross-functional workshops to identify breakthrough opportunities in quantum AI and synthetic biology
- Partner with venture teams to evaluate and incubate 2026-era startups
- Author forward-looking whitepapers on human augmentation and decentralized governance
- Curate annual 'FutureScape' symposiums with industry thought leaders
- Build patent portfolios for next-gen human-computer interfaces
- Advise C-suite on existential risks and exponential opportunities
Qualifications
- 15+ years in strategic foresight, innovation consulting, or emerging tech leadership
- Published author or recognized speaker on 2030+ technology trends
- Expertise in at least two of: quantum computing, neurotech, climate engineering, or space commercialization
- Advanced degree in Futures Studies, Systems Engineering, or equivalent discipline
- Proven track record of commercializing futuristic concepts
- Proficiency in foresight methodologies (Horizon Scanning, Delphi, etc.)
- Experience with exponential technology accelerators like Singularity University