(Senior) Assistant Director, Capability Development, National Robotics Programme

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 drive strategies and initiatives to fulfil NRPO's objectives.
• Ensure proper assessment of the technical scope for R&D projects to guide the project officers and apprise management, as well as develop best practices to scope R&D projects in line with our roadmaps.
• Lead the coordination of the robotics R&D technology roadmapping workstreams with the wider research community, as well as stocktake our robotics research capabilities and outcomes from investments.
• 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 key NRP committees.
• Develop and maintain a strong network amongst the robotics research community and industry players and to stay up to date on their technical capabilities, to facilitate research collaborations and scientific discussions with NRP and advisers when needed.

Requirements:

• At least 10 years of relevant working experience in the technical field, preferably in robotics or automation. A science, computer science, robotics or engineering degree is necessary to be able to appreciate and assess the technical areas of the work.
• Experience in managing robotics or automation projects is a must, with demonstrated evidence of strong outcomes. Experience in leading teams, programme management and strategic alignment of project outcomes towards organizational goals will be advantageous. Ability to mentor junior officers for growth.
• 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 is necessary to engage and negotiate with diverse internal and external stakeholders.
• High independence to work around ambiguity and self-organise to drive positive outcomes from assigned tasks, as well as tight timelines when needed to drive NRP's agenda.
• Good writing skill and strong ability to synthesize information succinctly for written communications, presentations and staff work to senior management and committees.