Program Manager, Core R&D

Your Mission

This position is responsible for leading the planning, coordination, and execution of Core R&D projects within HMGICS, ensuring alignment with Hyundai Motor Group’s future factory vision and manufacturing innovation technology development strategy. The role drives collaboration among autonomous and automation technology development groups within HMGICS to ensure that R&D outcomes are effectively integrated into future factory innovation technologies.

In addition to programme leadership, this position supports the strengthening of HMGICS’s long-term R&D capabilities by contributing to strategic workforce planning, competency development, and technical talent acquisition. By identifying skill gaps, developing targeted learning initiatives, and facilitating partnerships with academia and research institutions, the Program Manager helps build a sustainable pipeline of advanced engineering capabilities required to support HMGICS’s evolving manufacturing and technology roadmap.

What To Expect

[Core R&D – 60%]

Overall Programme Management

• Support the overall planning and management of Core R&D projects based on a broad understanding of automotive manufacturing processes, and identify opportunities to integrate project outcomes into the future factory vision.
• Collaborate with internal teams to explore how Core R&D and Corp Lab findings can be applied and leveraged on actual production lines.
• Work closely with the Corp Lab Programme Manager to identify opportunities to integrate Corp Lab outputs into Core R&D developments and vice versa.
• Leverage partnerships with academia and Singapore government R&D institutions to strengthen the Core R&D technology development roadmap, in collaboration with other HMGICS teams.
• Coordinate with Cell Leaders to identify project issues and challenges, facilitate resolution, and provide timely escalation to the Head of Group (HoG) or HMGICS executives when required.
• Manage and update Core R&D project plans annually with each Core R&D Cell Leader and obtain HoG approval.
• Coordinate project directions and task priorities based on guidance and strategic direction from HMGICS executives and the HoG.
• Support the Core R&D team in manpower hiring processes for both in-house and Corp Lab positions.
• Work with finance/account professionals to manage Core R&D financial planning, including budget planning, budget monitoring, expenditure tracking, and project investment reviews with the HoG and HMGICS CEO.
• Coordinate with relevant HMGICS teams to facilitate the preparation and execution of contractual agreements for projects involving collaborators and end users.

[Learning & Development – 40%]

Strategic Competency Mapping

• Assess the technical competency levels of current R&D personnel and analyze skill gaps in relation to future business and technology objectives.

R&D Learning & Development

• Design specialized training curricula for manufacturing engineers, including technical training and leadership development for engineers.
• Introduce external training solutions through industry–academia collaborations with global universities and research institutions.

Strategic Talent Acquisition

• Provide guidance on technical sourcing strategies to secure specialized talent in niche technology domains beyond conventional hiring approaches.

What You'll Bring

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering or a relevant discipline.
• 7–10+ years of experience in R&D operations or project management within manufacturing or engineering-based industries.
• Experience managing change during organizational transformation or technology transitions.
• Broad understanding of emerging technologies used to automate conventional manufacturing plants, including their limitations and associated challenges.
• Good understanding of the automotive manufacturing ecosystem and related technologies.
• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft PowerPoint and Microsoft Excel.
• Proven program management capability to lead projects and deliver outcomes within complex matrix organizations and across cross-functional teams.
• PMP® certification would be considered advantageous.