Senior Professional Officer

Job Description

Senior Professional Officer (& above) (UX / UI Designer), Design Factory

Posting Start Date: 15/05/2026

Schemes of Service: Professional Officers

Division: Professional Officers

Employment Type: Fixed Term

Job Purpose

The Deputy Head leads SIT's applied innovation agenda by co‑developing the Design Factory as a design‑led, research‑informed platform that bridges academia, industry, and government. Drawing on deep experience in integrated applied R&D, human‑centred design, and interdisciplinary innovation, the incumbent will drive strategic partnerships, programme growth, and real‑world project translation. This role combines hands‑on design and research leadership with operational oversight, capability building, and ecosystem development, connecting students, faculty, industry partners, and institutional stakeholders through impactful, collaborative innovation initiatives.

Key Responsibilities

• Applied R&D and Design Innovation Leadership
  • Lead integrated applied R&D and design projects for SMEs, MNCs, and public sector partners, overseeing full project lifecycles from research framing, ideation, and user insights through to prototyping, validation, and manufacturing considerations.
  • Apply human‑centred design, systems thinking, and futures methodologies to translate research insights into functional prototypes, design frameworks, and scalable innovation outcomes.
  • Spearhead the curation and growth of specialist labs and material exploration environments, supporting experimentation across emerging materials, structural design, and advanced fabrication methods.
  • Bridge creative design with engineering feasibility to develop manufacturable, real‑world product and service solutions.
  • Mentor students, researchers, and project teams on user research, design process application, and applied R&D translation.
• UI/UX Design Leadership
  • Lead the strategic direction of UI/UX design across the Design Factory’s projects and programmes, setting standards for interaction design, visual language, and user experience quality that reflect best‑in‑class practice.
  • Champion user‑centred design methodologies including usability testing, journey mapping, wireframing, and iterative prototyping across interdisciplinary project teams working with industry and public sector partners.
  • Provide design critique, mentorship, and quality oversight for student and project team UI/UX outputs, ensuring rigour in both the design process and final deliverables across digital and physical touchpoints.
  • Drive the integration of accessibility, inclusive design, and culturally sensitive UX principles into all project deliverables, ensuring solutions are equitable and effective for diverse end users.
  • Build and sustain the Design Factory’s UI/UX capability through curated toolkits, design systems, and learning frameworks that equip students and collaborators with transferable digital and service design skills.
• Strategic Platform and Programme Development
  • Co‑lead the Design Factory as a design‑led platform bridging applied R&D, industry collaboration, education, and enterprise adoption; growing its role within SIT's innovation ecosystem.
  • Identify and develop opportunities for programme growth in human‑centred design, circular innovation, applied R&D, and cross‑disciplinary learning.
  • Drive platform strategy, programme governance, and stakeholder engagement, including representation at institutional forums, exhibitions, and VIP engagements.
  • Contribute to strategic planning and long‑term development of the Design Factory in alignment with SIT's institutional goals.
• Partnership and Business Development
  • Establish and manage relationships with industry leaders, design organisations, IHLs, government agencies, and international ecosystem partners.
  • Identify collaboration opportunities and prepare proposals, project scopes, MOUs, and partnership agreements.
  • Represent the Design Factory in outreach, exhibitions, and partnership forums, strengthening its visibility locally and internationally.
  • Drive and activate a multi‑stakeholder innovation network spanning students, researchers, industry, academia, and government.
• Capability Building and Education
  • Design and deliver applied learning programmes, masterclasses, workshops, and structured learning experiences integrating design thinking, human‑centred research, prototyping, and real‑world application.
  • Translate Design Factory methodologies, applied R&D projects, and industry case studies into structured content for internal and external programmes, including CET modules and industry workshops.
  • Support academic delivery thr