Technical Project Manager - Dubai Future Labs

Life at Dubai Future Foundation

Dubai Future Foundation (DFF) aims to realize the wise vision of Dubai’s leadership to institutionalize the envisioned future and forward-thinking methodologies, while positioning Dubai as the leading city of the future. In partnership with its local and global partners from governments, companies, startups, and entrepreneurs, DFF drives joint efforts to collectively imagine, design, and execute the best possible future for humanity.

Under the supervision of His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, Chairman of the Executive Council of Dubai, and Chairman of the Board of Trustees of DFF, the DFF runs and oversees many futureproofing projects and initiatives, such as the Museum of the Future, Area 2071, The Centre for the Fourth Industrial Revolution UAE, Dubai Future Accelerators, One Million Arab Coders, Dubai Future Academy, Dubai Future Solutions, Dubai Future Labs, Dubai Future Forum, etc. DFF’s efforts to share knowledge, adopt innovation, support entrepreneurs and innovative startups, build capacity, and promote forward-thinking and foresight principles contribute to Dubai’s ambitions to be a role model for the cities of the future through the power of unlimited imagination, innovation, foresight and disruptive mindset.

For more information on the initiatives, projects, and programs of Dubai Future Foundation, please visit the website: www.dubaifuture.ae

Where does this role fit into the bigger picture?

Dubai Future Labs are focused on driving innovative ideas through rigorous scientific testing to push the existing boundaries of research applications. The R&D department is an open-innovation research concept integrating concurrent research with innovative processes and both private and public partnerships. The department is focused on the co-creation, experimentation, and evaluation of innovative ideas and technology in real-life test cases as well as applied research in the fields of robotics.

Technical Project Manager

We are seeking a Technical Project Manager to lead the planning, execution, and delivery of high-impact engineering and R&D projects in the fields of robotics, autonomous systems, and artificial intelligence (AI). This role requires a technically fluent leader who can bridge the gap between technical teams, external partners, and business stakeholders to drive timely, high-quality results in a dynamic and fast-paced environment. You will be responsible for managing complex, multidisciplinary projects—ensuring alignment between stakeholders, identifying and mitigating risks, and applying agile project management principles to accelerate innovation and execution.

Responsibilities

1. You will lead and manage cross-functional technical projects from initiation through successful delivery, ensuring on-time, on-budget, and on-scope outcomes.
2. You will collaborate with internal engineering, research, and product teams to define project scopes, milestones, deliverables, and resource plans.
3. You will coordinate with academic, industrial, and governmental partners in R&D collaborations and innovation-driven initiatives.
4. You will facilitate effective stakeholder engagement, including technical reviews, reporting, and decision-making checkpoints.
5. You will apply agile methodologies (Scrum, Kanban, or hybrid models) to ensure transparency, rapid iterations, and continuous improvement.
6. You will translate complex technical discussions into actionable plans and communicate project status and risks clearly to both technical and non-technical audiences.
7. You will monitor project performance using KPIs and proactively address bottlenecks or deviations.
8. You will ensure alignment between project goals and organizational strategy, contributing to roadmap planning and strategic initiatives.
9. You will drive documentation, knowledge sharing, and project retrospectives to foster a culture of learning and accountability.
10. You will work closely with corporate and government partners to create valuable partnerships with clients who can innovate to solve problems and create new solutions.

Why this role is important?

This role makes the biggest impact by being organised, and able to manage a few projects while also supporting the team in achieving project deliverables. You will be directly involved in creating successful partnerships which are instrumental in successful Dubai Future Labs projects. Your role in the organisation will help create a positive reputation for the Dubai Future Labs as a world-class living lab in the Middle East and help bring the UAE into the future.

What Dubai Future Foundation offers?

We will offer you a unique opportunity to work with passionate people, support shapers of the future as well as work that has an impact, not only on the organization or the UAE but on all of humankind. You will have the chance to work on exciting and new projects and work in a highly diverse and fast-paced environment that fosters creativity, disruptive ideas and innovation.

Skills

1. You will have Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Computer Science, or a closely related field.
2. You will have minimum of 7 years of technical project management experience in R&D, engineering, or technology environments.
3. You will have strong knowledge of robotics, autonomous systems, embedded systems, or AI/ML technologies.
4. You will have proven experience managing multidisciplinary projects with hardware and software components Deep understanding of agile project management methodologies and tools (e.g., Jira, Confluence etc.).
5. You will have exceptional communication and interpersonal skills; able to manage diverse stakeholders with competing priorities.
6. You will have demonstrated ability to manage multiple complex projects simultaneously in a high-pressure, fast-paced setting and deliver on time and within scope.
7. You will be familiar with technology readiness levels (TRLs), commercialization readiness levels (CRLs) and the R&D-to-product pipeline.

Good to have

1. Master’s degree in Engineering, Computer Science, or Business with technical emphasis.
2. Certifications such as PMP, Scrum Master, or PRINCE2.
3. Experience working with academic, governmental, or industrial R&D partnerships.
4. Familiarity with agile management methodologies and related tools.