Principal Research Engineer (Tech Biz), SIMTech

A*STAR - Agency for Science, Technology and Research; Singapore; On-site; SGD 250,000 - 350,000; Full time

Job summary

The Pillar Head is responsible for developing and executing sector-specific growth strategies that strengthen Singapore's manufacturing ecosystem and create sustainable industry impact.

The Pillar Head will bridge industry needs with SIMTech's technology capabilities, identify emerging market opportunities, drive MNC-LLE-SME collaboration, and establish long-term partnerships that translate into joint labs and innovation programmes.

Qualifications

• Degree in Engineering, Manufacturing, Science, Technology, Business, or related discipline.
• Advanced degree (Master’s/MBA) preferred.
• 10–15+ years of industry, technology commercialisation, business development, or sector leadership experience.
• Strong network within relevant industry sectors.
• Proven track record in strategic partnership development and revenue generation.
• Experience working with MNCs, SMEs, government agencies, and innovation ecosystems.
• Understanding of advanced manufacturing technologies and industry transformation.

Responsibilities

• Develop and maintain sector strategies, market trends, technology gaps, and industry challenges.
• Formulate and execute sector-specific growth strategies aligned with SIMTech and A*STAR priorities.
• Build sector roadmaps and demand-generation plans to drive industry engagement.
• Identify emerging opportunities for technology adoption, innovation, and industry transformation.

Skills

Strategic thinking

Executive stakeholder management

Business development

Partnership building

Leadership

Technology commercialisation

Ecosystem development

Communication & influencing

Education

Bachelor’s/Master’s in Engineering, Manufacturing, Science, Technology, or related discipline

Advanced degree (Master’s/MBA) preferred

Job description

Role Summary

The Pillar Head is responsible for developing and executing sector-specific growth strategies that strengthen Singapore's manufacturing ecosystem and create sustainable industry impact. The role serves as the single accountable leader for industry engagement, demand generation, strategic partnerships, and value creation within the assigned sector (e.g. Aerospace, Energy, Semiconductor, Precision Engineering).

The Pillar Head will bridge industry needs with SIMTech's technology capabilities, identify emerging market opportunities, drive MNC-LLE-SME collaboration, and establish long-term partnerships that translate into joint labs, innovation programmes, supplier development initiatives, licensing opportunities, and product‑owner creation pathways.

Key Responsibilities

Sector Strategy & Market Development

• Develop and maintain a deep understanding of sector trends, market drivers, technology gaps, and industry challenges.
• Formulate and execute sector-specific growth strategies aligned with SIMTech and A*STAR priorities.
• Build sector roadmaps and demand‑generation plans to drive industry engagement.
• Identify emerging opportunities for technology adoption, innovation, and industry transformation.

Industry Engagement & Partnership Development

• Build and manage strategic relationships with MNCs, LLEs, SMEs, industry associations, and government agencies.
• Serve as the primary sector representative for SIMTech in industry engagements.
• Establish and grow a portfolio of Quality Partners, joint labs, and long‑term collaboration programmes.
• Identify anchor companies and ecosystem partners to drive sector growth.

MNC-SME Value Creation & Supply Chain Development

• Drive MNC-SME supplier development initiatives to strengthen local manufacturing capabilities.
• Connect industry demand with capable local enterprises and system integrators.
• Facilitate technology transfer, supplier qualification, capability upgrading, and onboarding into supply chains.
• Support the development of SMEs into regional champions and product owners.

Innovation & Business Development

• Generate and grow a sustainable pipeline of industry‑funded projects, collaborative programmes, and innovation initiatives.
• Identify opportunities for GAP funding, licensing, spin‑offs, and Innovation Factory for product development.
• Facilitate the translation of SIMTech technologies into commercially relevant solutions.
• Drive revenue and impact through strategic industry partnerships.

Cross‑Functional Leadership

• Work closely with R&D divisions, Innovation Factory, AIC, Regionalisation, Training, Licensing, and Tech Biz teams.
• Align technology capabilities with industry demand.
• Coordinate resources to ensure successful delivery of sector initiatives.
• Lead and mentor sector business development teams.

Candidate Profile

Education

• Degree in Engineering, Manufacturing, Science, Technology, Business, or related discipline.
• Advanced degree (Master's/MBA) preferred.

Experience

• 10–15+ years of industry, technology commercialisation, business development, or sector leadership experience.
• Strong network within relevant industry sectors.
• Proven track record in strategic partnership development and revenue generation.
• Experience working with MNCs, SMEs, government agencies, and innovation ecosystems.
• Understanding of advanced manufacturing technologies and industry transformation.

Competencies

• Strategic thinking and market insight
• Executive stakeholder management
• Business development and partnership building
• Leadership and team development
• Technology commercialisation
• Ecosystem development
• Strong communication and influencing skills