Head of Technology - Applied Robotics

About the role

An internationally connected, well-funded applied robotics research centre in Dubai is hiring its most senior technical authority, in a confidential search. The centre's mission is to turn world-class research into robots that work in the real world. As Head of Technology, you will own the technology roadmap and ensure work across manipulation, social robotics, autonomy, perception and systems integration converges into field-ready systems rather than siloed academic outputs. This is a hands-on role involving architecture reviews, integration problems and code.

Key responsibilities

• Define and deliver the centre-wide technology roadmap with the Director, translating research progress into system-readiness and TRL milestones.
• Resolve cross-programme technical blockers such as sensor-actuator integration, real-time perception pipelines, human-robot interaction stacks, multi-robot coordination and edge-cloud partitioning.
• Set engineering standards for software architecture, data management, simulation (including Real2Sim2Real) and hardware-software interfaces.
• Own end-to-end systems integration, deployment design-of-experiment scenarios, and the testing protocols and acceptance criteria that prove deployment readiness.
• Capture and protect IP and work with industry partners on commercialisation, licensing and spin-offs.
• Mentor senior engineers and technical leads, and help hire applied robotics talent.

Required profile

• PhD in robotics, autonomous systems, mechatronics, computer science (robotics focus) or a closely related field.
• 15+ years of progressive robotics R&D across academic and industrial settings.
• Proven record of robotic systems that were commercialised or deployed in real operational environments; lab demonstrations alone are not enough.
• Experience leading R&D or product programmes, including budget, timeline and technical risk.
• A strong publication record backed by patents, deployed systems or commercial outcomes.

Required skills

• Deep expertise in at least three of: manipulation, autonomous navigation and planning, perception and sensor fusion, social/service robotics and HRI, and real-time systems integration.
• Hands-on competence with ROS/ROS 2, simulation environments and CI/CD for robotic systems.
• Also valued: cloud-robotics, edge or fleet-management experience; knowledge of safety and regulatory frameworks for autonomous systems; Gulf/MENA experience; securing research funding; technology transfer or spin-off experience.

Applicants should send their CV, a two-page statement on their most significant contribution to a deployed or commercialised robotic system, and the names of three referees. Applications are handled in strict confidence, and referees and current employers will not be contacted without consent. Emiratisation candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.