Location: One North
Employment Type: Full-time
About the Company
Galatek stands at the forefront of scientific and technological innovation, serving as a catalyst for global transformation. Headquartered in Singapore, with R&D and delivery centres in Germany, the United States, Japan, and China, our global presence reflects our commitment to delivering top-tier solutions and being a responsible global citizen. With an unwavering commitment to enhancing human life and shaping a more vibrant, resilient, and sustainable future, we empower the world's brightest minds to push the boundaries of possibility.
Galatek is an ambitious start-up fuelled by a diverse team of exceptional talents from leading global universities. United by a shared vision of innovation, we are pioneering advancements in robotics automation and artificial intelligence, transforming their applications in Biopharmaceutical and Semiconductor Manufacturing. By providing cutting-edge production tools, we liberate researchers and innovators from routine tasks, enabling them to focus on discovery and advancement. From life sciences and clinical diagnostics to applied chemicals, integrated circuits, and sustainable energy, we ignite a wave of breakthroughs that redefine industries and drive meaningful progress.
About the Role
At Galatek Singapore, we are shifting the boundaries of what is physically possible in precision engineering. Rather than focusing purely on incremental product development, our Deep Tech R&D team is dedicated to fundamental research, pathfinding, and radical breakthroughs in motion science.
We are seeking a Principal Researcher / Senior Manager of Motion Innovation to lead our advanced research activities. In this role, you will not be bound by immediate product lifecycles. Instead, you will spearhead next-generation pathfinding, generate high-value intellectual property (IP), and collaborate closely with world-class research institutes and universities to solve the industry's most complex precision control, modeling, and automation challenges.
Job Summary
As the Senior Manager of Motion Innovation, you will drive the long-term technology roadmap for precision motion systems. Your focus will be on studying, inventing, and adopting cutting-edge control algorithms and advanced modeling techniques. While rooted in semiconductor-level precision requirements (-scale), your innovations will serve as a foundational technology blueprint for cross-domain applications, including advanced robotics, autonomous systems, and general high-end automation.
Key Responsibilities
- Pathfinding & Technology Roadmap: Lead long-term (3–5 years out) horizon research and pathfinding activities for next-generation precision motion architectures, identifying disruptive technologies before they hit the mainstream market.
- IP Generation & Academic Collaboration: Actively generate high-value intellectual property (patents, trade secrets, and technical papers). Establish, fund, and manage strategic research partnerships and joint labs with top universities and research institutions (e.g., A*STAR, NUS, NTU).
- Advanced Algorithm & Modeling Research: Investigate, develop, and simulate cutting-edge precision motion control algorithms, advanced system identification techniques, and multi-physics dynamic modeling to solve complex non-linearities, thermal deformations, and structural resonances.
- Cross-Domain Technology Transfer: Evaluate and adapt precision motion solutions developed for semiconductor applications to broader deep-tech use cases, such as autonomous systems, medical robotics, and next-gen smart automation.
- AI & Machine Learning Integration: Explore, validate, and enable the use of Machine Learning (ML) and Artificial Intelligence (AI) in motion systems—specifically focusing on physics-informed neural networks (PINN), reinforcement learning for adaptive control, and intelligent predictive maintenance.
- Proof-of-Concept (PoC) Development: Oversee the creation of early-stage, high-risk, high-reward functional prototypes and physics testbeds to validate theoretical innovations.
- Technical Mentorship: Act as the principal subject matter expert (SME) within the organization, mentoring a team of PhDs and research engineers in advanced control theory and mechatronics.
Key Requirements
- Education: Ph.D. in Control Systems, Mechatronics, Robotics, Electrical Engineering, Applied Mathematics, or a highly related deep-tech discipline.
- Experience: 8–10 years of experience in advanced R&D, fundamental research, or technology pathfinding environments. A strong track record of transitioning academic research into industrial frameworks is highly preferred.
- Deep Technical Expertise: Proficient in advanced control theories (e.g., Adaptive Control, Robust Control , Model Predictive Control (MPC), Optimal Control, and non-linear system identification).
- AI/ML Competency: Strong understanding of, or hands-on exposure to, leveraging Machine Learning/AI for system modeling, data-driven control loop optimization, or smart trajectory planning.
- Simulation Mastery: Expert-level capability in advanced modeling and simulation tools such as MATLAB/Simulink, Python (SciPy/PyTorch/TensorFlow), or specialized FEA/modal analysis software.
- Ecosystem Network: Proven experience collaborating with research institutes, grant-funding bodies, or university faculties. Prior experience writing technical research proposals or patent applications is critical.
- Systems Thinking: Strong grasp of structural dynamics, high-resolution feedback mechanisms (e.g., laser interferometers), and real-time deterministic computing systems.
- Communication & Influence: Exceptional communication skills to convey complex mathematical and physical concepts to both academic partners and internal executive stakeholders.
- Language Proficiency: Excellent written and verbal communication skills in both English and Mandarin (to effectively collaborate with research institutions, universities, and deep-tech ecosystem partners in the China Mainland region).
- Travel: Willingness to travel up to 20% to engage with international research centers, attend premier academic conferences, and interface with global R&D teams.
