Project Manager (R&D)

JOB DESCRIPTION: LEAD/MANAGER - PROJECT MANAGEMENT

Job Title: Lead/Manager - Project Management

Years of Experience: 4 to 7

Department: Product Development

Job Location: IITM Research Park, Chennai

About Solinas:

Solinas, a deep-tech startup incubated at IIT Madras, is Indias pioneering asset management venture transforming the water and sanitation sector. Recognized and commended by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Solinas is on a mission to tackle pressing challenges such as manual scavenging, water accessibility, and the prevention of floods and sewer overflows. At the core of our vision lies a commitment to developing homegrown, affordable robotics and AI solutions for pipeline inspections, manhole and septic tank cleaning, and underground asset management. Since 2018, we have transformed operations across 30+ cities, earning accolades such as Best On-Campus Startup by the Economic Times, an appearance on Shark Tank India, and partnerships with industry leaders like Ashirvad Pipes and The/Nudge Institute. On the global stage, Solinas has been named Best Southeast Asian Startup by Imagine H2O a testament to our innovation, impact, and purpose-driven growth.

Why should someone choose Solinas for a career opportunity?

Join us at Solinas, where we're not just making waves, we're cleaning them too! Led by energetic visionary minds Divanshu (Co-Founder & CEO, Forbes 30 under 30 winner) and Moinak (Co-Founder & CTO), we're on a mission to revolutionise the fight against manual scavenging and improving drinking water access with cutting-edge robotics. Since our inception in 2018, we've transformed over 25 cities, earning accolades such as "Best On-Campus Startup" by the Economic Times, wowing audiences on Shark Tank, and gaining recognition from industry leaders like Ashirvad Pipes and the Nudge Institute. And our impact doesn't stop there we've been crowned the Best Southeast Asian Startup by Imagine H20, solidifying our status as a global game-changer. If you believe that safe water and sanitation facilities are everyones right, then come and be a part of that revolution which is solving real world challenges.

About the Role:

The R&D Project Manager leads and delivers innovation driven projects focused on inspection, monitoring, and integrity solutions. The role coordinates cross functional teams to take ideas from concept to deployment, ensuring projects align with Solinas Integritys technology roadmap, quality standards, and business objectives while meeting timelines and budgets.

Key Responsibilities:

Act as the primary point of contact between R&D and business teams for project-related updates.

Gather status updates on ongoing research activities and escalate delays when needed.

Coordinate material requirements and identify what is needed, check availability, and follow up for procurement.

Maintain project documentation, data sheets, reports, and trackers in Excel/Jira.

Facilitate communication between internal teams, ensuring clarity and alignment on project goals.

Support R&D managers in planning, resource allocation, and execution of project activities.

Develop and oversee project plans for various initiatives, encompassing scope, timelines, and resource allocation; monitor progress, track task milestones, and anticipate potential challenges; facilitate consistent project meetings, ensuring stakeholders are updated with transparent communication, and promptly escalate any critical issues to department leaders for timely resolution.

Developing an evaluation method to assess program strengths and identify areas for improvement tracked against quarter deliverables

Drive the forecasting activity towards quarterly adjustment to budgets, track requests, changes, variances, and impact on variance vs actuals.

Especially on Timeline slip ups and impacts to KRA, ensure project delivery is on time, as per scope and within the allocated budget.

Conduct ongoing risk assessments, proactively address potential challenges to project timelines, and establish comprehensive risk management protocols, emphasizing thorough documentation and reporting.

Build and sustain relationships with stakeholders at all organizational levels, facilitate feedback sessions, and provide consistent project updates to ensure alignment and transparency.

Qualifications:

Bachelors degree in a relevant field, such as Business Administration, Project Management, or Engineering.

Minimum 5 years of experience in managing projects in hardware product development, preferably in the robotics sector.

Proven track record of successfully delivering R&D projects on time and within budget.

Strong organizational and time management skills.

Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to build rapport with stakeholders at all levels.

Analytical and problem-solving skills with the ability to identify and mitigate risks.

Proficiency in project management software tools and methodologies (e.g., MS Project, Jira, Clickup, Agile frameworks).

Attributes We Value:

Young, energetic, and proactive personality with a can-do attitude

Proactive, self-driven, and deeply passionate about storytelling within a digital, impact-led ecosystem.

Highly organised with strong time-management skills, able to thrive in a fast-paced environment.

Previous exposure to field or project operations with strong organizational and coordination skills

Deep curiosity about sustainability, public health, water infrastructure, and social impact. Perks &

Benefits:

Competitive Salary & Bonus: Market-aligned pay with performance-linked incentives.

Health & Wellness: Comprehensive healthcare coverage and wellness support for self, spouse and 2 children.

Professional Growth: Access to learning and development opportunities with direct exposure to leadership decision-making and deep insights into building and scaling a business.

Collaborative Culture: Work in an innovative, mission-driven environment where your input shapes the companys future.