Innovation Lead – Engineering (1 Post)

Duties and Responsibilities

-Lead and coordinate the University’s engineering innovation portfolio, including the identification, assessment, prioritisation and monitoring of projects based on technical feasibility, Technology Readiness Levels, commercial potential and impact.
-Provide technical leadership in the design, development, prototyping, testing, validation and progression of engineering products, systems and technologies from proof of concept to pilot and market-ready solutions.
-Coordinate multidisciplinary teams comprising researchers, students, innovators, technicians and industry partners, while providing technical mentorship and incubation support to engineering innovators and start-ups.
-Identify engineering intellectual property with commercial potential and facilitate its protection, development, licensing, technology transfer and commercialisation in collaboration with relevant University structures.
-Develop and manage strategic partnerships with industry, manufacturers, professional bodies, research institutions, investors and government stakeholders for co-development, testing, certification, manufacturing, funding and market deployment.
-Conduct technical due diligence on engineering innovations and advise the Innovation Manager on project priorities, technology investments, infrastructure and equipment requirements, technical risks, partnerships and commercialisation opportunities.
-Support innovators in preparing technical proposals, concept notes, business cases, funding applications and commercialisation plans, while facilitating regulatory compliance, product certification, standardisation and access to laboratories, workshops and fabrication facilities.
-Monitor emerging engineering technologies and project performance, maintain an updated engineering innovation pipeline and prepare technical, portfolio and progress reports to support decision-making and advance the University’s research, innovation and industrialisation agenda.
-Perform any other duties as may be assigned by the Innovation Manager.

Key Competencies
-Strong engineering, technical problem-solving and analytical skills, with sound knowledge of design, prototyping, product development, manufacturing and Technology Readiness Levels.
-Strong understanding of research, innovation, intellectual property, technology transfer, commercialisation, entrepreneurship and engineering-based business models.
-Strong project management, coordination and organisational skills, with the ability to lead multidisciplinary teams and manage multiple engineering innovation projects.
-Strong stakeholder engagement, partnership development, communication, presentation and technical report-writing skills, with the ability to work effectively with industry, researchers, innovators, investors and government stakeholders.
-High levels of creativity, initiative, professionalism, integrity and results orientation, with a strong commitment to translating engineering research into practical, scalable and commercially viable solutions.

*NB: Midlands State University is an equal opportunities employer. In the interest of promoting gender parity, female candidates are encouraged to apply.