Chief Technology Officer

Chief Technology Officer

(Kortrijk, Lommel, Leuven)

You lift our research strategy towards the next level and inspire the world with your vision.

Flanders Make stimulates open innovation through excellent research, and brings together companies and research institutions to realize product and production innovations in the vehicle industry, in mechanical engineering and in production environments. The intent is to create value for the manufacturing industry by contributing to the technological development of the “vehicles, machines and factories of the future”. Flanders Make helps companies to innovate better and faster, in close collaboration with national universities and international research projects. Today, Flanders Make counts over 800 researchers who work full-time as a unique research community on a joint industrial research agenda from sites all over Flanders. To define the research strategy, with focus on its long-term consistency with the companies’ roadmaps and the global trends of research, Flanders Make seeks to appoint a CTO.

Create “manufacturing industry value” by aligning global research trends and industrial needs.

• - As CTO of Flanders Make, you will be responsible for the research strategy review and (re)definition, especially focusing on its long-term consistency with the companies’ roadmaps and the global trends of research, and design the framework for leveraging research activities.

• With passion, you provide a view on the future, inform the management about major changes in the market and important research trends which can strengthen the competitiveness of the manufacturing companies within the Flanders Make ecosystem.
• With the same passion, you put the research institute on the map, internationally, by taking up a public role, inspiring companies and their CTO’s and other research institutes.
• Concretely, you will be responsible for the roadmap process, the organization of the scientific and industrial advisory boards whenever needed, and will contribute to the regular reviews in the organisation, related to technology evaluation.
• As CTO, you are supported by, and leading, the managers of research departments within the Flanders Make network.
• On missing competences (based on trends and project portfolio) you will launch project ideation and perform SWOT analysis. You follow up on KPIs and suggest corrective actions to meet the objectives related to research programming.
• Contribute to European roadmapping exercises and develop the European expansion through research for EU companies.
• In good collaboration, you challenge and complement the work of internal stakeholders, such as the managers of research tracks and research clusters.
• Develop close relationships with universities and a consortium of companies.
• As a member of the management team, you will work closely with the Chief Valorization Officer (CVO), COO and CEO.

Trend watcher who bridges industry needs and excellent research

• You hold a master degree (for example in civil, electrotechnical or industrial engineering …) with a strong experience in relevant technological domains (mechatronics, Artificial Intelligence, interconnected machines robotics, flexible production, model based design, …).

• You have a vivid interest in (specific domains of) the manufacturing industry (automotive, mechanical engineering and/or production environments) and understand the technological challenges that manufacturing companies face.

• You have significant experience in research and development (R&D) on a senior management level, as well as in building an organization’s reputation in the market. Experience with international research strategy and it’s development is a plus.

• You are eager to trendwatch the global research evolutions in technology and to align those to the strategic challenges of our manufacturing industry, develop meaningful relationships and network with a high level of credibility.

• English as a language is a requirement.

Become an international authority in the fields of product and production innovation

• A job with impact on science and technology. You create leverage and synergies within Flanders Make and far beyond.
• You will be part of a dynamic, ambitious and knowledge-driven research center, offering the opportunity to have a significant impact on the manufacturing industry, both in Flanders as well as on the European level as R&D partner.
• You will enjoy national and international visibility and become an authority in an organization which contributes to societal progress by helping companies to innovate better and faster, and developing (in co-creation) the “vehicles, machines and factories of the future”.
• As a privileged partner for many leading manufacturing companies, you will acquire insights into the strategy related to future technological developments, as well as into the evolution of global trends, and co-drive the development of the manufacturing industry in Flanders.
• Flanders Make offers an open-ended contract and a very attractive salary package that valorizes your experiences, complemented with a complete set of fringe benefits: company car, group and health insurance, meal vouchers, expenses, home office …

About Flanders Make

Towards a digitally transformed, sustainable and competitive industry

Flanders Make is a fast-growing research centre that performs research to support companies from various sectors in their sustainable innovation processes. From our establishments in Lommel, Leuven, Kortrijk and Sint-Truiden and labs within the 5 Flemish universities, we stimulate open innovation through excellent research.

Because of our unique position as a bridge between industry and research, our teams combine application and system proficiency with technological and scientific knowledge. Academic partners and more than 180 companies are part of the innovative circular ecosystem of Flanders Make.

Our strategy based on industrial needs and long-term trends ensures a close link with the industry and its challenges. With our programmed research, we create impact in companies.

Sustainability, climate and workability have a high priority in our research. We want to help companies in developing sustainable, green, smart and connected products and production systems, with a special focus on people and their interaction with machines.

How to apply?

To apply, go to http://jobs.flandersmake.be.

Please fill in the online application form and upload a motivation letter and cv.