Senior Professional Officer – UX/UI Design (IaaS Centre)

About the role

The Deputy Head of the Design Factory leads SIT's applied innovation agenda, bridging academia, industry and government through design‑led research. This senior position combines hands‑on UX/UI design, research leadership and operational oversight to drive strategic partnerships and real‑world project translation.

Key responsibilities

• Lead integrated applied R&D and design projects for SMEs, MNCs and public sector partners, overseeing full lifecycles from research framing to prototyping and manufacturing considerations.
• Set strategic direction for UI/UX design across the Design Factory, establishing standards for interaction design, visual language and user experience quality.
• Co‑lead the Design Factory platform, identify growth opportunities in human‑centred design and circular innovation, and represent the unit at institutional forums and exhibitions.
• Establish and manage partnerships with industry, design organisations, government agencies and international ecosystem partners.
• Design and deliver applied learning programmes, masterclasses and workshops integrating design thinking, prototyping and real‑world application.
• Plan, implement and monitor multiple concurrent innovation projects, ensuring delivery on time and within budget, and oversee daily operations of the Design Factory facilities.

Required profile

• Degree in Design, Industrial Design, Human Factors, Engineering, Innovation Management or related field; postgraduate qualification is an advantage.
• Minimum 5 years of professional experience in applied R&D, user‑centred design, innovation consulting or design‑led industry translation.
• Proven experience managing complex projects and multi‑stakeholder partnerships in academic or industry innovation contexts.
• Demonstrated ability to mentor students, researchers and interdisciplinary teams.

Required skills

• Proficiency in UI/UX design tools such as Figma and Sketch (or equivalent platforms).
• Strong knowledge of design research methods, prototyping, fabrication and applied learning environments.
• Experience with human‑centred design, usability testing, journey mapping and iterative prototyping.