- Own the technology side of TECHLEAP end-to-end : read market demand, translate it into lab designs that maximize utilization and employability, coordinate OEMs, and drive procurement, installation/commissioning, AMC, and upgrades.

- Partner with the Academic Lead so that lab capabilities and course roadmaps evolve in lockstep with industry needs.

Key Responsibilities :

Market Demand Lab Strategy :

- Scan industry demand across Automation, Robotics, IIoT, EV, Renewable, Semiconductor, etc.

- Recommend lab setups, location, and sequencing based on demand, student profile, and budget.

- Define job-role skills equipment matrices to ensure employability outcomes.

Lab Design Specification :

- Architect lab layouts, BoM/BoQ, and utilization plans.

- Select kits and OEM stacks (FANUC, SMC, Schneider, ABB, etc.) ensuring interoperability.

- Align lab capability with assessments and certifications.

OEM Partnerships Commercial Coordination :

- Serve as main contact for OEMs/integrators : demos, pilots, pricing, SLAs, warranties.

- Negotiate agreements, AMC terms, spares, and maintain vendor roster.

- Coordinate Master Trainer availability with OEM academies.

Procurement, Setup Commissioning :

- Drive RFP/RFQ, vendor evaluation, and capex planning; ensure compliance.

- Oversee delivery, installation, integration, FAT/SAT, documentation, and handover.

Operations, AMC Upgrades :

- Manage preventive maintenance, ticketing, AMC execution; maintain 95% uptime.

- Plan hardware/software upgrades with Academic Lead.

- Track consumables, licenses, and calibration schedules.

Utilization Corporate Programs :

- Ensure 80% weekday lab utilization and weekend corporate bookings.

- Support industry projects and POCs for real employment pathways.

Compliance, Safety Risk :

- Enforce EHS, machine safety, SOPs, and incident CAPA.

- Ensure compliance with college and government skill schemes.

Data, Reporting Audits :

- Maintain asset registers, utilization dashboards, and cost-to-serve analytics.

- Lead technical audits and publish quarterly Lab Health Utilization reports.

Qualifications Experience :

- 8+ years in industrial automation, robotics, mechatronics, IIoT, or related domains; experience with OEMs, system integrators, or educational labs preferred.

- Proven track record in delivering lab setups, production cells, or test rigs (spec procurement installation commissioning AMC).

- Hands-on knowledge of PLC/SCADA/HMI, robotics vision, sensors/drives/pneumatics, edge/IIoT (OPC-UA/MQTT), and basic MES/OEE.

- Skilled in negotiating technical and commercial terms with OEMs; experience in multi-site rollouts is a plus.

Skills Attributes :

- Systems thinker with strong documentation discipline (BoM/BoQ, layouts, SOPs).

- Vendor management, commercial acumen, and project management (Gantt, risk, budget).

- Collaborative, able to bridge academics and industry; excellent written and verbal communication.

- Willing to travel 4060% for OEM visits, site readiness, installations, and audits.

Success Metrics (KPIs) :

- Lab utilization : 80% on weekdays (students) and 70% on weekends (corporate programs).

- Equipment performance : 95% uptime and 48-hour MTTR for critical assets.

- Project delivery : 90% of setup and upgrade milestones achieved on schedule.

- Financial discipline : procurement within approved BoQ and AMC within budget.

- Employment outcomes : lab capabilities aligned to job roles with placement/OJT targets met in collaboration with Academic and Employability teams.

- Stakeholder satisfaction : OEM SLA rating 4/5 and College/Academic NPS +50.