A*STAR's Innovation & Enterprise (I&E) Group helps companies turn research into business results.

As part of Singapore's lead public sector R&D agency, we work with local and global businesses to accelerate innovation, scale growth, and strengthen competitiveness in high-value sectors.

I&E enables companies to move faster from lab to market through:

• Partnerships with industry, investors, and researchers to co-develop solutions for real business challenges.
• Licensing and commercialisation of breakthrough technologies and intellectual property into market-ready products and services.
• Venture building that nurtures deep-tech start-ups from early concepts to global growth.

Through I&E, companies gain access to cutting-edge technologies, world-class research talent, and trusted pathways to market—helping them innovate with confidence, compete globally, and create long-term value.

Job Description

The Mission

At A*STAR’s Innovation & Enterprise (I&E) Group, our mission is to ensure that scientific excellence translates into economic impact by bridging the gap between world-class laboratory breakthroughs and global market success.

As the Deputy Director for the Smart & Sustainable Manufacturing (SSAM) sector, you will be architecting the birth of the next generation of deep-tech companies transforming cutting-edge IP into high-growth ventures. 

The Role: Architect of Innovation

You will lead the end-to-end venture creation lifecycle for the SSAM sector. You will act as a bridge between brilliant researchers and the ruthless efficiency of the global market. Your primary goal is to identify high-potential technologies and forge them into viable, investable business models that create real-world impact.

Key Responsibilities

• Venture Strategy: Identify high-potential technologies within A*STAR and develop robust, scalable business models.
• Venture Engineering: Partner with elite venture builders, accelerators, and internal stakeholders to design, steer, and scale ideation programs that bridge the gap from bench to boardroom.
• Stakeholder Engagement: Navigate complex relationships between A*STAR researchers and external investors to drive spin-off success.
• Portfolio Stewardship: Provide strategic support and portfolio management for A*STAR’s portfolio of DAC spin-offs to ensure long-term growth.

Who You Are

A resourceful self-starter who thrives in the ambiguity of early-stage venture creation. You should possess:

• Deep Industry Expertise: At least 10 years of experience in business/product development or tech marketing, specifically Advanced Manufacturing.
• Venture Fluency: Prior experience within start-ups, early-stage companies, or Venture Capital (VC) firms is highly advantageous.
• Academic Foundation: A degree in Science or Engineering is required. An MBA or an Advanced Degree (PhD/Masters) is a significant plus.
• Exceptional Communication: The ability to influence and build lasting relationships with founders, institutional investors, and internal leadership.
• Operational Excellence: Strong organizational skills with the ability to prioritize and multitask in a fast-paced environment.