Specialist -

In the role of
Specialist - Forge.Labs, FORT.Chennai
, the person shall report to the
Centre Head
, FORT.Chennai and will apply deep technical expertise in Phygital Tech innovation and product development. This will include managing a comprehensive scope of outcomes under the broader
Key Functional Areas (KFAs)
covering
Hands-on Solution Architecture and Implementation, Equipment Maintenance, Lifecycle Management of Assets, and bringing industry best practices.

In this capacity, the Specialist - Forge.Labs is expected to ensure individual technical contribution, problem-solving, and directly support projects and lab operations.

Position & Designation

The
Specialist - Forge.Labs
will primarily be based at the
FORT.Chennai
(Sriperumbudur) station, a strategic hub for advancing industrial innovation. This role is expected to consistently lead technical execution, resolve complex engineering challenges, and manage lab operations to ensure smooth and efficient workflows. The Specialist is also responsible for actively enhancing the team's technical capabilities, thereby improving squad-level performance in line with the Technical Capabilities Rubric (TCR). Additionally, this position involves providing expert technical support and guidance to internal teams as well as external startups or partners, reinforcing Forge.Labs' collaborative innovation ecosystem. Strong performance and notable growth in these responsibilities position the Specialist as a key contributor, with potential progression through higher levels of technical leadership within Forge.Labs.

Forge.Labs

Forge operates a Network of Industrial Innovation Labs spanning 7 different cities of Tamil Nadu, which constitutes the largest network of Fab Labs accredited by the Fab Foundation, MIT's Center for Bits and Atoms, Cambridge (USA) - that deliver India's ONLY university-accredited Innovation Practicum. These Industrial Innovation Labs have state-of-the-art lab facilities equipped with advanced digital fabrication tools such as 3D printers, laser cutters, CNC machines, and electronics prototyping equipment with the primary objective to democratise access to manufacturing technologies across students, innovators, startups and industrial companies. Forge's Technical Infrastructure includes the various machinery, equipment, and tools to help innovators design, build, test, and manufacture industrial tech solutions - this comprehensive infrastructure setup comprises 3 labs including Product Innovation Labs, Product Compliance Labs, and Pilot Production Facilities.

The specialist role will be evaluated across distinct Proficiency Assessment Tracks (PATs) as defined by the Forge.Labs CACD framework. These tracks include Knowledge & Expertise, Lab Management, Systems Engineering, Product Innovation, and Training & Mentoring. Candidates are expected to demonstrate advanced skills and sustained growth in each track, with performance measured through structured proficiency evaluations that support transparent career progression and professional development.

This position focuses on one or more Industrial Technology Thrust Areas (ITTAs) of strategic importance to Forge.Labs. Core ITTAs include Hardware Systems Engineering, Industrial Intelligence & Digital Production, Additive Manufacturing & Digital Fabrication, Advanced Computing & Communication Systems, and Autonomous Mobility Robotics. Applicants should exhibit deep expertise and drive innovative solutions within these thrust areas, aligning their contributions to the organization's key technological goals.

Compensation

Forge compensation is at par with the top end of the social enterprises sector in India and continuously benchmarked to be above the average compensation offered in the social (non-commercial or development) sector in general but significantly above the average compensation offered by TBIs.

The Total CTC will include 4 major components namely,
Fixed Monthly Gross
,
Fixed Quarterly Payout, Annual Development Bonus
 (linked to demonstration of progress on developing and strengthening capabilities in alignment with the Career Advancement and Capabilities Development framework of Forge) and
Annual Executive Bonus
(linked to the company's performance metrics, achieving positive operating profit from operating funds and demonstrating strong financial health and growth)

Role & Responsibilities - Key Result Areas

1. Technical Excellence & Innovation within Core Domains (ITTAs)

2. Apply deep technical expertise to complex projects and challenges within assigned Industrial Technology Thrust Areas (HSE, AC&CS, AM&DF, AMR, II&DP).

3. Propose and implement cutting-edge solutions that advance Forge.Labs' Phygital Tech initiatives.
4. Continuously monitor and integrate emerging technological trends and best practices into work.
5. Focus on individual technical contribution, ensuring continuous, high-quality innovation that strengthens Forge.Labs' capabilities at the Specialist level.

2. Personal & Team Capability Development through CACD Implementation

• Engage actively in personal professional development using the CACD framework to improve TCR scores in ITTAs and PATs.
• Participate in the full TCR evaluation process, including self-assessment and peer reviews.
• Set and pursue growth milestones (100-day, 200-day, 300-day) in collaboration with managers.
• Support development of junior team members through technical guidance, mentorship, and knowledge sharing.
• Contribute to building a strong talent pipeline by embedding CACD principles into everyday practices and fostering a culture of continuous growth.

3. Deep Technical Problem Solving & Solution Delivery

• Applying deep technical expertise is central to the role, with a focus on solving complex, multi-faceted problems within assigned technical projects, specifically those related to one of the five ITTAs.
• The Specialist's core responsibility is to deliver high-quality, industrial-grade technical solutions that not only meet project objectives but also significantly contribute to Forge.Labs' overall technical output.
• Emphasize on being a hands-on solution architect and implementer, who conducts in-depth analysis, designs and implements technical solutions, and ensures compliance with rigorous testing and validation standards.
• Set the measure of success as the ability to tackle and resolve complex technical problems, effectively translating challenging engineering obstacles into tangible, working solutions.

4. Focused Operational Excellence & Lab Resource Management

• Ensuring efficient operation and utilization of specific facilities and equipment involving demonstration of proficiency in Lab Management (LM Level 4) in at least two ITTAs by focusing on optimal equipment usage and strict adherence to safety protocols.
• The Specialist directly manages specific lab resources, assists with procurement for their dedicated projects, and ensures the proper maintenance and calibration of equipment within their area of responsibility.
• This role provides foundational operational efficiency for Forge.Labs, as the Specialist's ground-level focus ensures that the labs are consistently well-maintained and ready for high-impact technical work.
• Demonstrating LM-4 proficiency in their areas of expertise signifying that the Specialist is a highly capable operator, directly contributing to the readiness of the infrastructure.
• Guarantees that the foundational operational efficiency of Forge.Labs is upheld by skilled individuals, ensuring the tools and infrastructure are always prepared for high-impact technical work.

5. Technical Collaboration & Knowledge Sharing

• Manage the end-to-end scope of all technical activities involved in the procurement of technical infrastructure. This includes meticulously defining requirements after a detailed evaluation of vendor offerings and implementing all Standard Operating Procedures and documentation for the tender process.
• Supervise the entire process of delivery, installation, and training activities provided by vendors. This ensures a seamless and effective handover of new assets to the organization.
• Monitor the proper usage and maintenance of all equipment and tools within Forge.Labs. This oversight is crucial for ensuring the longevity, optimal performance, and availability of all lab assets.
• Control the consumption of resources by monitoring the usage of equipment, consumables, and supplies by innovators, startups, and other authorized users to ensure it remains strictly within stipulated limits.

Required Expertise & Qualifications

• Holds a Bachelor's or Master's degree in Engineering or related field from a reputed institution, with 8–10+ years of hands-on R&D, product development, or innovation lab experience.
• Proven ability to apply deep technical knowledge in complex engineering projects with strong skills across Knowledge & Expertise, Systems Engineering, Product Innovation, and Training PATs.
• Proficient Lab Management at Level-4 in at least two ITTAs (HSE & AC&CS), including operations, scoping, budgeting, procurement, vendor management, and advanced lab operations.
• Strong track record of independently executing complex technical tasks and solving high-level engineering challenges.
• Skilled in proposing and implementing cutting-edge solutions advancing Forge.Labs' Phygital Tech agenda and innovation goals.
• Committed to continuous innovation and proactivity in driving new technical solutions and process improvements.
• Extensive expertise in hardware-first, digital-plus (Phygital) technologies with industrial sector exposure (automotive, aerospace, manufacturing, defence), especially in HSE and AC&CS applications.