Senior Open Innovation Specialist

HYUNDAI MOTOR GROUP INNOVATION CENTER IN SINGAPORE PTE. LTD.; Singapore; On-site; SGD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

HYUNDAI MOTOR GROUP INNOVATION CENTER IN SINGAPORE PTE. LTD. seeks an Open Innovation professional to drive external collaborations, evaluate new technologies, and accelerate PoC initiatives across APAC. You will partner with startups, corporates, and research institutions to strengthen CRADLE Singapore as a regional hub.

The role focuses on cross-functional engagement with R&D, Product, Production, and New Business Development, shaping partnerships and investment-related activities.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, STEM, or a related discipline.
• 4 to 6 years of experience in Open Innovation, business development, project management, R&D, or related fields.
• Proven experience managing technology validation initiatives, including PoC and commercialization-focused projects.
• Strong understanding of startup collaboration, technology transfer, venture building, and innovation ecosystem engagement.
• Exposure to India's innovation ecosystem and hands-on experience in PoC execution is highly desirable.
• Experience in venture investment, Corporate Venture Capital (CVC), or startup evaluation activities is preferred.
• Familiarity with the Australia and New Zealand (ANZ) startup and innovation ecosystem is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Research, identify and evaluate new technologies in smart mobility, AI, robotics, and related fields.
• Initiate and manage Open Innovation projects, including PoCs with startups, corporates, accelerators, and VCs.
• Collaborate with Korea HQ, HMGICS, ASEAN and India HQ, and cross-functional teams to drive objectives.
• Monitor trends across priority markets and deliver actionable insights to HQ and stakeholders.
• Identify and develop strategic partnership opportunities within global startup ecosystems.
• Support technology scouting, startup engagement, and ecosystem development activities.
• Contribute to CRADLE's investment activities, including opportunity sourcing and portfolio initiatives.

Skills

Open Innovation

Business development

Project management

R&D

Tech transfer

Venture building

Startup collaboration

PoC execution

India ecosystem exposure

ANZ ecosystem familiarity

Education

Bachelor's degree in Engineering

Job description

Your Mission

This position is responsible for driving Open Innovation initiatives and fostering external collaborations to identify new business opportunities, validate strategic relevance for Hyundai Motor Group (HMG), and strengthen CRADLE Singapore's role as a regional innovation hub across Southeast Asia, India, ANZ, and the broader APAC ecosystem. The role works closely with startups, corporates, investors, research institutions, and internal business units to accelerate innovation, build strategic partnerships, and promote an Open Innovation culture throughout HMG.

What To Expect

• Research, identify and evaluate new technologies in the areas of smart mobility, software-defined manufacturing, AI, robotics, Hydrogen supply chain, battery technologies, charging technologies, electrification.
• Initiate and manage Open Innovation projects, including technology feasibility studies and Proof-of-Concept (PoC) initiatives, with startups, corporates, accelerators, VCs, research institutions, and internal stakeholders.
• Collaborate with Korea HQ, HMGICS, ASEAN and India HQ, and cross-functional teams across R&D, Product, Production, and New Business Development to drive innovation objectives.
• Monitor technology, market, and innovation trends across priority markets and deliver actionable insights to HQ, regional business units, and key stakeholders.
• Identify and develop strategic partnership opportunities within global startup and innovation ecosystems.
• Support technology scouting, startup engagement, and ecosystem development activities across key markets.
• Contribute to CRADLE's investment activities, including opportunity sourcing, evaluation, and portfolio-related initiatives, as required.

What You'll Bring

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, STEM, or a related discipline.
• 4 to 6 years of experience in Open Innovation, business development, project management, R&D, or related fields.
• Proven experience managing technology validation initiatives, including Proof-of-Concept (PoC) and commercialization-focused projects.
• Strong understanding of startup collaboration, technology transfer, venture building, and innovation ecosystem engagement.
• Exposure to India's innovation ecosystem and hands-on experience in PoC execution is highly desirable.
• Experience in venture investment, Corporate Venture Capital (CVC), or startup evaluation activities is preferred.
• Familiarity with the Australia and New Zealand (ANZ) startup and innovation ecosystem is a plus.