Role Summary

The Singapore Institute of Manufacturing Technology (SIMTech), A*STAR, develops high-value manufacturing technologies, capabilities, and talent to strengthen the competitiveness of Singapore’s manufacturing sector. SIMTech works closely with local enterprises, companies with an SG manufacturing footprint, and ecosystem partners across sectors such as precision engineering, aerospace, electronics, semiconductor, energy, medtech, and other advanced manufacturing industries.

As part of SIMTech’s manufacturing transformation efforts, we are seeking a motivated and hands-on Research Engineer / Senior Research Engineer with experience in AI, digital systems, data analytics, or smart manufacturing technologies to support the delivery of a flagship industry transformation programme that helps companies build practical roadmaps towards world-class manufacturing performance.

The successful candidate will support programme delivery by bringing technical depth into company engagements, workshops, use case development, and transformation roadmapping. The role requires someone who can understand manufacturing operations, identify where AI and digital technologies can create measurable value, explain technical concepts clearly to non-technical stakeholders, and facilitate working sessions with business, operations, engineering, and digital teams.

This is a suitable role for a technically strong individual who enjoys working with companies, translating operational problems into digital / AI-enabled solutions, and supporting transformation journeys from diagnosis and ideation through to roadmap development and implementation planning.

The key roles and responsibilities include:

• Support the planning, facilitation, and delivery of workshops, training sessions, company engagements, and transformation roadmapping activities.
• Work with companies to understand their manufacturing processes, operational challenges, data availability, digital maturity, and potential opportunities for AI / digital-enabled improvement.
• Facilitate discussions with cross-functional teams to identify, frame, and prioritise practical use cases in areas such as productivity, quality, maintenance, planning, logistics, energy, safety, workforce enablement, and operational visibility.
• Translate business and operational pain points into technically feasible digital, data, automation, or AI-enabled concepts.
• Support the development of transformation roadmaps, use case charters, implementation plans, benefit estimates, and technical solution concepts.
• Explain AI, analytics, automation, digital systems, and smart manufacturing concepts in a practical and accessible way to manufacturing leaders, engineers, managers, and shopfloor teams.
• Assist in assessing company readiness in areas such as data infrastructure, systems integration, process maturity, workflow adoption, skills, governance, and scalability.
• Work with SIMTech researchers, technology teams, and industry development colleagues to connect company needs with relevant capabilities, solutions, and collaboration opportunities.
• Develop and maintain training materials, technical case studies, workshop templates, digital maturity tools, use case examples, and demonstration content.
• Support post-workshop coaching and follow-up activities, including refining use cases, clarifying technical requirements, and helping companies prepare for implementation.
• Contribute to the continuous improvement of programme methodology, tools, examples, and delivery approaches based on company feedback and industry needs.

Requirements:

• Minimum 5 years of relevant experience in one or more of the following areas:
  • AI / machine learning, data analytics, digital manufacturing, manufacturing IT / OT systems, smart manufacturing, industrial automation, systems integration, or technology-enabled operational improvement.
  • Experience working with manufacturing companies, industrial operations, production systems, or engineering teams.
  • Experience supporting workshops, training, facilitation, consulting, solution design, implementation planning, or customer-facing technical engagements would be advantageous.
• Candidates with fewer years of experience may be considered if they demonstrate strong technical ability, manufacturing exposure, communication skills, and potential to facilitate industry-facing transformation activities.

Other Requirements:

• Experience in manufacturing digitalisation, Industry 4.0, AI-enabled operations, industrial data platforms, automation, predictive maintenance, quality analytics, production optimisation, or digital workflow solutions
• Experience developing technical demonstrations, prototypes, proof-of-concepts, dashboards, analytics models, or digital tools for industrial use cases
• Good interpersonal skills and ability to work with senior leaders, engineers, managers, operators, researchers, and external partners
• Experience with common AI / analytics tools, programming languages, databases, cloud platforms, visualisation tools, or low-code / no-code digitalisation platforms
• Self-motivated, collaborative, and willing to learn across business, operations, technology, and adult learning domains
• Interest in helping companies progress towards higher levels of manufacturing maturity, including world-class manufacturing and Lighthouse-style transformation journeys