Industrial Innovation Consultant (CWF Contract)

Important Clarification on CWF Contract:

This is a Contractor Workforce (CWF) service contract position. Prospective applicants will be interviewed and their salaries determined by KAUST-HR. Selected candidates will be employed under the payroll of a CWF Vendor, not directly by KAUST. Upon successful mobilization, candidates will be under the visa sponsorship and employment of the CWF Vendor Company/Contract.

Position Summary

KAUST’s 4IR Technologies Center is seeking a highly motivated and visionary Industrial Innovation Consultant to join our newly established center for the Western Region. This pivotal role focuses on advancing technologies like AI, IoT, and advanced robotics within industrial and manufacturing settings. We're seeking an individual with a strong understanding of manufacturing processes, experience in CAD and production line simulation, and a hands-on, entrepreneurial mindset. The candidate will help play a key role in driving research, prototyping, and pilot projects that redefine industrial efficiency, productivity, and sustainability.

Scope of Work

Industrial Engagement & Outreach:

Direct Engagement & Needs Assessment: Proactively reach out to and engage with key stakeholders within large factories and industrial SMEs across Saudi Western Region to understand their operational challenges, technological gaps, and innovation needs.

Educative & Consultative Role: Provide expert advice, conduct introductory workshops, and deliver tailored presentations to industrial partners on the benefits, applications, and implementation strategies of 4IR technologies.

Opportunity Identification: Identify potential collaborative projects, pilot opportunities, and areas where 4IR technologies can deliver significant value and competitive advantage for industrial partners.

Front Office Support: Act as front office support for KAUST via active presence in KAUST satellite offices in Industrial Cities in the western region.

Stakeholder Collaboration: Collaborate effectively with internal teams (e.g., R&D, engineering, business development), external partners, academic institutions, and industry experts to foster a collaborative innovation ecosystem.

Knowledge Transfer & Training: Document best practices, lessons learned, and technical specifications. Contribute to the development and delivery of training programs for internal and external stakeholders on 4IR technologies and their industrial applications.

Concept Generation & Prototyping: Lead the ideation, conceptualization, and rapid prototyping of innovative solutions leveraging 4IR technologies to address real-world industrial challenges and opportunities, including the design and optimization of manufacturing components and systems using CAD software.

Pilot Project Management: Design, execute, and manage pilot projects from conception to completion, including scope definition, resource allocation, risk management, and performance monitoring.

Solution Design & Architecture: Develop detailed technical designs, architectures, and implementation plans for 4IR-driven industrial solutions, ensuring scalability, security, and interoperability.

Market & Commercialization Support: Provide technical expertise and support for the commercialization of developed solutions, including preparing technical reports, presentations, and demonstrations for potential clients and investors. Distribute relevant information to providers regarding workshop details, participant needs, and special requests.

Technology Scouting & Assessment: Continuously research, evaluate, and benchmark emerging 4IR technologies and their potential applications within various industrial sectors, with a strong focus on manufacturing and production environments.

Innovation Strategy & Roadmap Development: Contribute to the strategic planning and roadmap development for industrial innovation initiatives within the center, aligning with business objectives and market needs.

Data Analysis & Optimization: Utilize data analytics and simulation tools to optimize industrial processes, predict outcomes, and identify areas for efficiency improvement through 4IR applications.

Intellectual Property (IP) Contribution: Identify potential for intellectual property generation and contribute to the patenting process for novel innovations.

Qualifications

Bachelor's or Master's degree in Industrial Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, Mechatronics Engineering, Robotics, Computer Science, Data Science, Electrical Engineering, or a closely related field.

Experience

Minimum of 5-8 years of progressive experience in industrial innovation, R&D, or technology development roles, with a strong focus on 4IR technologies in manufacturing environments.

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