About RTIH

The Ratan Tata Innovation Hub (RTIH) is a Section 8 company established under the Government of Andhra Pradesh through the Andhra Pradesh Innovation Society (APIS). As the State’s principal platform for innovation, incubation, and entrepreneurship, RTIH leads a Hub-and-Spoke network connecting five regional innovation foundations across Andhra Pradesh. Its vision—under the AP Innovation & Startup Policy (2024–2029)—is to make Andhra Pradesh a lighthouse of inclusive innovation and entrepreneurship.

Position

Manager – Labs & Prototype

Employment Type: Full-time Contractual Role

Location: Amaravati, Andhra Pradesh

Reporting To: Head Strategic Initiatives & Impact Lead

Role Overview

The Manager – Labs & Prototyping will be responsible for the operational management, coordination, and development of prototyping labs, fabrication facilities, Centre’s of Excellence, and innovation infrastructure under the Ratan Tata Innovation Hub (RTIH). The role involves enabling access to innovation infrastructure for startups, MSMEs, students, researchers, and innovators while supporting statewide coordination of prototyping and testing facilities across Andhra Pradesh.

The position requires strong coordination abilities, technical understanding of prototyping ecosystems, infrastructure management expertise, and stakeholder engagement capabilities.

Key Responsibilities

(a) Prototyping Labs & Centre’s of Excellence

1. Coordinate establishment and operationalization of RTIH prototyping labs, fab labs, and Centres of Excellence.
2. Manage vendor coordination for procurement, installation, commissioning, and maintenance of equipment and infrastructure.
3. Track operational readiness, functionality, and utilization of supported facilities.
4. Develop SOPs, equipment usage guidelines, safety procedures, and access protocols for labs and facilities.
5. Ensure effective management of consumables, maintenance schedules, and technical support services.

(b) Statewide Lab & Infrastructure Repository

1. Lead statewide coordination with Government departments, universities, research institutions, incubators, technology parks, industry bodies, and innovation ecosystem stakeholders.
2. Create, maintain, and periodically update a central repository of prototyping, testing, fabrication, tool-room, and sector-specific facilities available across Andhra Pradesh.
3. Maintain comprehensive information on facility locations, available equipment, access conditions, target user segments, operational status, and utilization levels.
4. Support mapping and integration of innovation infrastructure across the state to improve accessibility and collaboration opportunities.
5. Prepare reports and dashboards related to infrastructure availability, utilization trends, and ecosystem capacity.

(c) Access Enablement & Utilization Tracking

1. Facilitate discovery and access to labs, prototyping facilities, and testing infrastructure for startups, MSMEs, OFOE beneficiaries, students, researchers, and grassroots innovators.
2. Coordinate with incubation, innovation, grants, and startup support teams to connect entrepreneurs and innovators with appropriate facilities and technical resources.
3. Track utilization metrics and ecosystem outcomes including:
4. Prototypes developed
5. Pilots conducted
6. Product testing completed
7. Certifications facilitated
8. Technology validation activities supported
9. Support onboarding, scheduling, and coordination for facility usage by external stakeholders.
10. Maintain records and periodic impact assessments related to lab utilisation and innovation outcomes.

(d) Prototype Development & Ecosystem Support

1. Support startups and innovators in prototype development, fabrication, and validation activities.
2. Coordinate with mentors, domain experts, academic institutions, and technology partners for technical guidance and collaborative projects.
3. Organize workshops, technical sessions, hackathons, innovation challenges, and capacity-building programs related to prototyping and emerging technologies.
4. Support implementation of innovation and entrepreneurship programs requiring access to technical infrastructure.

(e) Documentation & Reporting

1. Maintain documentation related to vendors, procurement, equipment inventory, maintenance records, and utilization statistics.
2. Prepare periodic MIS reports, presentations, operational dashboards, and infrastructure status reports for management and stakeholders.
3. Support policy documentation, infrastructure planning, and ecosystem development initiatives under RTIH.

Qualifications & Experience

1. Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Engineering, Technology, Innovation Management, Industrial Design, Manufacturing, or related disciplines.
2. 8-10 years of relevant experience in prototyping labs, fabrication facilities, innovation centers, incubators, R&D environments, or technology ecosystems.
3. Experience in managing innovation infrastructure, lab operations, vendor coordination, and stakeholder engagement is preferred.
4. Exposure to startup ecosystems, maker spaces, Centres of Excellence, or government innovation initiatives will be an added advantage.

Required Skills

1. Knowledge of prototyping tools, fabrication technologies, testing infrastructure, and innovation ecosystems.
2. Strong coordination, operational management, and stakeholder engagement abilities.
3. Experience in infrastructure mapping, utilisation tracking, and reporting.
4. Vendor management and procurement coordination skills.
5. Excellent communication, documentation, and presentation skills.
6. Proficiency in MS Office, reporting tools, and data management systems.

Core Competencies

1. Understanding of emerging technologies such as AI, IoT, Robotics, Electronics, 3D Printing, Manufacturing, and Product Design.
2. Experience working with startups, academic institutions, Government departments, or innovation ecosystem organizations.
3. Familiarity with incubation support, innovation programs, and entrepreneurship development initiatives.

Compensation

1. ₹10 LPA – ₹12 LPA (based on experience, expertise, and institutional fit)