Industrial Research Manager

About the Company

We are an innovation-centric organization dedicated to driving advances in industrial research, engineering technologies, and applied science aimed at enhancing productivity, sustainability, safety, and competitive advantage. Our distributed teams work collaboratively across areas such as Research & Development, Engineering, Manufacturing, Materials Science, Automation, Data Analytics, Sustainability, Quality, Operations, and Executive leadership to convert research findings into viable industrial applications.

Position Overview

We are looking for a skilled Industrial Research Manager to oversee applied research projects, develop industrial technologies, manage experimental activities, and lead interdisciplinary research groups. The ideal candidate will spot emerging technologies, handle research portfolios, supervise lab and pilot tests, and translate scientific and engineering breakthroughs into scalable industrial solutions.

Key Duties

• Create and execute industrial research strategies, technology roadmaps, research portfolios, and innovation programs that align with company goals.
• Guide applied research efforts in areas including advanced manufacturing, industrial automation, materials science, energy efficiency, process improvement, robotics, digitalization, industrial systems, and emerging technologies.
• Oversee project lifecycles from idea identification and feasibility studies through experimentation, prototyping, pilot implementation, validation, technology handover, and commercialization.
• Collaborate with multiple departments such as R&D, Engineering, Manufacturing, Operations, Materials Science, Automation, Quality, Supply Chain, Sustainability, Finance, Technology, and Executive Management to execute integrated research initiatives.
• Set research procedures, experimental protocols, lab standards, data management practices, quality controls, and frameworks for technology evaluation.
• Supervise laboratory experiments, pilot plants, industrial testing, prototype creation, field trials, process validation, and scale-up tasks.
• Analyze emerging industrial technologies including new materials, manufacturing methods, automation systems, energy solutions, artificial intelligence, robotics, digital twins, and advanced analytics for potential adoption.
• Conduct technology readiness assessments, feasibility analyses, industrial benchmarking, competitive research, patent assessment, literature surveys, and technical opportunity evaluations.
• Forge strategic partnerships with academic institutions, research centers, industrial labs, tech companies, startups, suppliers, government bodies, and engineering consultants.
• Develop technical business cases, cost-benefit analyses, research investment proposals, commercialization tactics, technology transfer strategies, and ROI assessments for research.
• Ensure research projects comply with UAE laws, industrial standards, environmental rules, occupational health and safety requirements, intellectual property regulations, research governance, and organizational policies.
• Monitor KPIs such as project milestones, technology readiness levels, prototype performance, research productivity, patent activity, commercialization results, cost reductions, process improvements, technology adoption rates, and innovation ROI.
• Perform project reviews, technical audits, experimental quality assessments, process evaluations, lessons learned sessions, and drive continuous improvement actions.
• Manage research budgets, labs, pilot plants, technical equipment, external testing, consultants, grants, technology licenses, and strategic partnerships.
• Champion digital transformation through artificial intelligence-assisted research, predictive industrial analytics, digital twins, automated experimentation, machine learning, advanced simulations, industrial IoT, and intelligent process optimization.
• Utilize tools such as MATLAB/Simulink, ANSYS, COMSOL Multiphysics, Siemens NX, SolidWorks, Autodesk platforms, Python, R, Power BI, Tableau, Laboratory Information Management Systems (LIMS), industrial data platforms, PLM systems, and engineering research software.
• Prepare technical reports, executive presentations, technology evaluations, feasibility studies, patent documents, investment proposals, portfolio reviews, and strategic recommendations for senior leadership.
• Lead and mentor research scientists, engineers, lab specialists, data scientists, technical analysts, and multidisciplinary teams fostering a culture of scientific rigor, industrial innovation, collaboration, experimentation, and ongoing progress.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering disciplines such as Industrial, Mechanical, Electrical, Chemical, Materials Science, Manufacturing Engineering, Applied Science or related fields.
• Master's degree in Engineering, Industrial Research, Materials Science, Manufacturing, Engineering or Technology Management is preferred.
• Ph.D. in an engineering or applied scientific area is advantageous for research-intensive activities.
• Professional certifications in Project Management, Lean Six Sigma, Systems Engineering, Research Management, or related areas are beneficial.
• Minimum of 5 years’ experience in industrial research, applied research, engineering R&D, manufacturing technology, or innovation roles.
• At least 2 years of leadership experience managing research programs, R&D teams, pilot projects, or cross-disciplinary engineering initiatives.
• Deep knowledge of applied research methodologies, industrial engineering, prototyping, technology development, manufacturing processes, data analytics, technology readiness, and commercialization.
• Proficiency using MATLAB/Simulink, ANSYS, COMSOL Multiphysics, Siemens NX, SolidWorks, Autodesk, Python, R, Microsoft Office, Power BI, Tableau, LIMS, PLM systems, industrial analytics platforms, and related research tools.
• Familiarity with AI-driven industrial research, digital twins, Industrial Internet of Things, advanced robotics, additive manufacturing, autonomous systems, predictive maintenance, smart manufacturing, advanced materials, and automated experimentation is a significant plus.
• Excellent leadership, technical communication, analytical thinking, stakeholder engagement, project management, budgeting, innovation handling, organizational, and problem-solving abilities.
• Capability to manage multiple research projects balancing scientific integrity, feasibility, industrial application, intellectual property, regulatory compliance, safety, budgeting, timelines, and commercialization aims.
• Adaptability to work effectively in a fully remote environment collaborating with a distributed team including researchers, engineers, labs, manufacturing, universities, technology partners, suppliers, and global stakeholders. Occasional travel for labs, trials, demos, conferences, supplier visits, and strategy meetings is expected.

Benefits

• Fully remote work setup with flexible collaboration across international research, engineering, manufacturing, technology, and innovation teams.
• Competitive salary complemented by performance-linked incentives.
• Comprehensive health and wellness benefits.
• Opportunities for professional advancement and leadership growth in industrial research.
• Exposure to cutting-edge technologies such as AI-driven research, digital twins, advanced manufacturing, robotics, smart factories, industrial analytics, and next-gen engineering solutions.
• A collaborative environment emphasizing scientific excellence, industrial innovation, sustainability, experimentation, and continuous progress.
• Chance to convert research efforts into applicable industrial solutions that enhance productivity, efficiency, resilience, sustainability, and competitive standing.