Job Description: ProtoLab Manager (R&D;)

Role Overview

The Sr. ProtoLab Manager owns end-to-end operations of the R&D; ProtoLab — the physical facility where prototype hardware is built, tested, and iterated. This is a senior operational leadership role responsible for lab infrastructure, safety compliance, inventory and equipment readiness, and ensuring the lab can support fast-moving New Product Development (NPD) cycles without becoming a bottleneck. The role also provides first-line engineering problem-solving support, making diagnostic tools, test fixtures, and replacement variants available quickly when engineering hits a field or production issue.

Department: Research & Development (R&D;)

Position Level: Senior / Managerial

Reporting to: HOD

Location: R&D; Facility / ProtoLab

Key Responsibilities

1. ProtoLab Operations & Facility Management

• Facility Ownership: Own end-to-end day-to-day operations of the R&D; ProtoLab, running it as a well-organised, fully equipped facility for prototype build and test.

• Inventory & Bin Control: Maintain optimal control over prototype components, development kits, and specialised tools inside the ProtoLab, including space and bin allocation.

• Testing Material Readiness: Ensure physical test zones and labs are equipped with the materials each test cycle needs, and track incoming prototype hardware end-to-end.

• Lab Compliance & Safety: Own lab safety protocols, equipment calibration schedules, and preventive tool maintenance; ensure the lab meets internal and regulatory safety standards at all times.

• Capacity & Capex Planning: Plan lab layout, equipment upgrades,



and capital expenditure requirements to keep pace with growing NPD demand.

2. Team & Vendor Oversight

• People Leadership: Supervise lab technicians/coordinators where applicable, and coordinate external calibration and maintenance vendors.

• Sourcing Coordination: Partner closely with the Advance Sourcing Lead to ensure lab material and tooling needs are fed into the sourcing pipeline with enough lead time.

3. Engineering Problem-Solving & Field Support

• Root Cause Material Fulfillment: Support engineering teams in resolving field failures and manufacturing-line bottlenecks by rapidly making available diagnostic tools, test fixtures, or replacement variants from lab stock or emergency channels.

• Cross-functional Liaison: Act as the operational bridge between R&D; engineering and manufacturing, so lab-based iterations keep pace with program timelines.

Candidate Profile & Qualifications

Qualified Experience

• Experience: 8 to 12 years of experience in R&D; lab operations, prototype/test facility management, or engineering operations within tech-heavy industries (Aerospace, Defense, Robotics, UAVs, Automotive, or Electronics Manufacturing).

• Facility Management: Proven experience running a physical lab or facility, including safety compliance, inventory systems,



and equipment lifecycle management.

• People/Vendor Management: Prior experience managing a small team and/or coordinating external service vendors is preferred.

Technical & Core Competencies

• Technical Acumen: Able to read engineering drawings, spec sheets, and schematics well enough to anticipate the lab''s material and equipment needs ahead of time.

• Safety & Compliance: Working knowledge of lab safety standards, calibration protocols, and equipment maintenance practices.

• ERP/Tools Knowledge: Familiarity with inventory tracking systems and MRP/ERP tools (e.g., SAP, Oracle) for bin and inventory control.

• Facility Planning: Experience with lab layout planning and capex/budget management.

Soft Skills

• Ownership Mindset: Runs the lab like it''s their own operation, with a strong sense of urgency around engineering timelines.

• Problem Solver: Stays level-headed under shifting engineering demands and unexpected bottlenecks.

• Communication & Leadership: Strong cross-functional communication skills and comfortable leading a small operational team.

Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)

• ProtoLab Uptime: Zero downtime due to mismanaged lab components or missing safety parameters.

• Testing Readiness: Percentage of test cycles that start on schedule with all required materials and equipment in place.

• Safety Compliance: Zero safety incidents; 100% adherence to calibration and maintenance schedules.

• Field Support Turnaround: Average time to fulfill emergency diagnostic or test-fixture requests from engineering.

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📌 ProtoLab Manager (Navi Mumbai)
🏢 ideaForge Technology
📍 Navi Mumbai