(Senior) Manager (Capability Development), National Robotics Programme Office

Job Description

The National Robotics Programme Office (NRPO) is responsible for catalysing differentiated robotics R&D capabilities at our Institutes of Higher Learning (IHLs) and Research Institutes (RIs) for the benefit of our economy and society. NRPO also works to foster public-private partnerships to ensure robotics technologies and IPs developed with public funding are relevant for industry and are commercialised into useful products, services and solutions that are adopted in Singapore and around the world.

A key role of NRPO is to bring together end-users across different industries, robotics & automation companies, and our IHLs/RIs to identify use cases and technology gaps that public-private partnerships can help to address. In so doing, we enhance Singapore's robotics R&D capabilities and help Singapore-based robotics & automation companies to innovate and differentiate themselves in the market.

Another key role of NRPO is to work together with partner agencies to grow our robotics (supply-side) industry comprising system integrators, robot vendors, software and component suppliers. A strong and vibrant robotics (supply-side) industry with companies developing and making robotics products and solutions here for export will help to support our end-user industries and act as vehicles for the commercialisation of technologies and IPs developed by our IHLs/RIs.

We are looking for a highly independent and motivated person with experience in robotics, to join NRPO to perform the following:

• Assist Director/Deputy Director (Capability Development) to implement strategies and initiatives to fulfil NRPO's objectives.
• Manage R&D projects funded by NRPO, including working with other departments within NRPO on proposal scoping with the research performers and industry partners, grant administration and management, to ensure the projects stay on track and achieve their deliverables.
• Provide assessment to management on robotics R&D projects from other initiatives that come to NRPO for inputs during proposal submission, midterm and end project reviews.
• Engage in and support robotics R&D technology roadmapping workstreams with the wider research community, including participation in public sector robotics-related workgroups when needed.
• Catalyse the development of standards by obtaining feedback from industry on sector/application best practices for robotics, and initiating standards development work with the relevant partners.
• Take on secretariat roles for various regular NRP meetings and committees, as well as internal organizational roles when assigned or rotated among staff for exposure (e.g. Business Continuity Manager, Procurement Champion).
• Support the execution of events that showcase Singapore's robotics innovation ecosystem and that helps to foster connections and collaborations amongst end-users, robotics & automation companies and IHLs/RIs. Such events could be organised, co-organised or participated by NRPO and could be local or overseas.

Requirements:

• 5 - 10 years of relevant working experience in the technical field, preferably in robotics or automation. A science, computer science, robotics or engineering degree is preferred to be able to appreciate and assess the technical areas of the work.
• At least 3 years' experience in managing robotics or automation projects with demonstrated evidence of strong outcomes; experience or exposure to programme management and strategic alignment of project outcomes towards organizational goals is an added advantage, but not necessary.
• Experience in robotics-related software like ROS and in AI, public research grant management and/or familiarity with public research projects and processes is an added advantage.
• Strong interpersonal and communications skills are necessary to engage and negotiate with diverse internal and external stakeholders.
• A proactive attitude to problem solving, with high independence to fulfil assigned tasks and objectives, orchestrate collaboration within the Robotics ecosystem and manage interests of all parties where possible.
• Good writing skills and strong ability to synthesize information succinctly for written communications, presentations and staff work to stakeholders.

The above eligibility criteria are not exhaustive. A*STAR may include additional selection criteria based on its prevailing recruitment policies. These policies may be amended from time to time without notice. We regret that only shortlisted candidates will be notified.