Senior Manager - R&D Casting

Strategic Leadership

Set and drive the R D strategy for Alloy Process Development, defining the innovation roadmap and ensuring a healthy pipeline of alloy programmes at every stage of development from early concept exploration through to customer‑ready validated solutions.

Oversee the earliest stages of alloy design using computational tools and small‑scale laboratory trials to identify, screen and validate promising compositions before committing to larger‑scale development. Ensure only alloys that meet defined performance, practicality and sustainability gates are advanced to the next stage.

Take alloys proven at lab scale and ensure they are successfully translated into robust repeatable industrial processes across casting, forming and heat treatment. Drive the transition from controlled pilot conditions to full production readiness, closing the gap between what works in the lab and what works on the shop floor.

Provide the evidential backbone for all development decisions, delivering accurate traceable testing and validation data at every stage of maturity from early microstructural screening through to full mechanical, corrosion and durability qualification in compliance with ISO ASTM standards.

Own the final stages of the development journey, validating alloys and processes against real‑world customer requirements running application‑specific simulations and part‑level tests and delivering the qualification packages needed for Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) approval and commercial release.

Recruit, develop and retain a high‑performing multidisciplinary team capable of operating effectively across the full development spectrum. Build a culture of technical excellence, collaboration and structured stage‑gate thinking.

Ensure all outputs at every stage of development (simulations, trial data, recipes, datasheets and validation reports) are systematically documented in a shared digital knowledge base enabling informed go/no‑go decisions and institutional learning.

Own and manage the Alloy Process Development function’s operating and capital budget, prepare and present budget proposals, monitor spend and take corrective action on variances. Ensure investment is appropriately staged with early‑phase programmes resourced efficiently and increased commitment reserved for alloys that have cleared defined development gates. Approve purchase orders and supplier contracts within delegated authority and support business cases for significant capital investments.

Oversee identification, protection and management of all intellectual property generated across Alloy Process Development: alloy compositions, process innovations, computational models and application methods. Establish a systematic review process to capture and assess patentable developments as they emerge through the pipeline. Work with legal counsel on filings, ensure all staff understand intellectual property obligations, manage intellectual property risk in collaborative programmes and maintain a live register of the centre s patent portfolio.

Champion Emiratisation by identifying suitable roles across the full range of functions from lab technician and characterization roles through to engineering and specialist positions. Partner with HR on graduate and early‑career programmes, mentor and coach UAE National employees and set measurable Emiratisation targets reported to senior leadership. Build relationships with UAE universities and government talent initiatives to develop a sustainable pipeline of Emirati R D professionals.

Direct R D programmes set priorities and allocate resources across all four functions. Approve progression of alloys from early laboratory exploration through to pilot scale billet casting and production trials, acting as the principal gate‑keeper at each development stage. Approve process changes, equipment trials and external technical partnerships. Sign off validation…