Ratan Tata Innovation Hub

The Ratan Tata Innovation Hub is a Section 8 company established under the Government of Andhra Pradesh through the Andhra Pradesh Innovation Society (APIS). As the States principal platform for innovation, incubation, and entrepreneurship, RTIH leads a Hub-and-Spoke network connecting five regional innovation foundations across Andhra Pradesh. Its visionunder the AP Innovation & Startup Policy (20242029)is to make Andhra Pradesh a lighthouse of inclusive innovation and entrepreneurship.

Position

Manager Advanced Prototype Innovation Centre (APIC)

Employment Type: Full-time Contractual Role

Location: Amaravati, Andhra Pradesh

Reporting To: Head APIC/Designated Authority in RTIH Amaravati Foundation

Role Overview

The Manager Advanced Prototype Innovation Centre (APIC) will support the establishment, operationalisation, and management of the Advanced Prototype Innovation Centre under the Ratan Tata Innovation Hub. The role focuses on coordinating advanced prototyping infrastructure, fabrication labs, innovation programs, and stakeholder engagement activities to support startups, innovators, students, researchers, MSMEs, and industry partners.

The position requires strong operational and technical capabilities in innovation infrastructure, prototype development support, fabrication technologies, ecosystem coordination, and lab management.

Key Responsibilities

(a) Prototype Labs & Infrastructure Management

Support the setup, operationalisation, and day-to-day management of advanced prototyping and fabrication labs.

Coordinate installation, commissioning, maintenance, and utilization of advanced equipment and machinery.

Assist in managing facilities including:

Rapid Prototyping Labs

Fab Labs

Electronics & IoT Labs

Robotics & Automation Labs

AI/ML-enabled prototype systems

Product Testing & Validation facilities

Ensure operational readiness, safety compliance, and effective utilization of all APIC infrastructure.

(b) Innovation & Prototype Development Support

Support startups, innovators, researchers, students, and MSMEs in prototype design, product development, testing, and validation activities.

Coordinate proof-of-concept (PoC), MVP development, prototype fabrication, and product demonstration support.

Facilitate access to technical resources, mentors, fabrication facilities, and domain experts.

Assist in commercialization support and innovation enablement initiatives.

(c) Program Coordination & Ecosystem Engagement

Coordinate innovation programs, hackathons, workshops, technical training sessions, and technology showcase events.

Liaise with industries, startups, academic institutions, research organizations, incubators, and government agencies.

Support partnership development, stakeholder engagement, and ecosystem-building activities.

Assist in identifying funding opportunities, CSR collaborations, and innovation grants.

(d) Operations & Administrative Management

Prepare operational reports, utilization metrics, technical documentation, inventories, and compliance records.

Support SOP development, lab administration, scheduling, and facility access management.

Coordinate procurement processes, vendor management, AMC tracking, and infrastructure maintenance.

Assist in budgeting, annual planning, and operational monitoring activities.

(e) Research, Technology & Emerging Innovation Support

Track emerging trends in prototyping, Industry 4.0, digital fabrication, AI-enabled systems, robotics, and smart manufacturing.

Support implementation of innovation-driven technology initiatives and applied research activities.

Facilitate collaborative innovation and technology transfer programs.

Qualification & Experience

Bachelors Degree in Engineering / Technology / Electronics / Mechanical / Mechatronics / Manufacturing / Product Design or related disciplines.

Masters Degree / MBA / PGDM in Innovation Management, Technology Management, Manufacturing, or related fields preferred.

Minimum 10-12 years of relevant experience in prototyping labs, innovation centres, fabrication facilities, R&D environments, startup ecosystems, or product development support.

Experience in managing technical infrastructure, innovation programs, prototype labs, or fabrication ecosystems is preferred.

Exposure to startup incubation, research collaborations, and government innovation initiatives will be an added advantage.

Required Skills & Competencies

Knowledge of prototyping technologies, fabrication systems, and innovation infrastructure

Strong operational coordination and project management skills

Vendor management and stakeholder engagement capabilities

Understanding of Industry 4.0 technologies and emerging innovation trends

Problem-solving and analytical abilities

Strong communication, documentation, and teamwork skills

Ability to work in multidisciplinary innovation environments

Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)

Operational efficiency and utilization of APIC facilities

Number of startups, innovators, and projects supported

Prototype development and testing activities facilitated

Successful execution of innovation programs and workshops

Industry and institutional collaborations supported

Infrastructure uptime, compliance, and operational reporting standards

Compensation

CTC: 1012 LPA per annum

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