Kerja Sepenuh Masa, Head of R-D di MIMOS Network Federal Territory - Maukerja

Role Purpose

The Head of R&D is responsible for driving MNSB's research and innovation agenda in Digital Quality Assurance (DQA), Software Quality Assurance (SQA) and Independent Verification & Validation (IV&V), with primary accountability for the research, design and development of MNSB's AI-Assisted Testing Framework.

Reporting to the Head of Technical, the role translates the organisation's assurance strategy into applied research outputs — evaluating emerging tools and methods, prototyping AI-assisted testing capabilities, and converting research findings into practical, deployable enhancements to MNSB's assurance operating model. The Head of R&D operates as the technical arm behind MNSB's fifth strategic pillar, ensuring that innovation is evidence-based, governed and aligned with delivery-team realities before it is operationalised.

The role also carries responsibility for identifying and securing external funding including applicable grants and R&D incentives to support MNSB's R&D initiatives.

Key Responsibilities:

AI-Assisted Testing Framework – Research & Development

• Lead end-to-end research and development of MNSB's AI-Assisted Testing Framework, including use-case identification, tool evaluation, proof-of-concept design and iterative refinement.
• Define and maintain the framework's core-tools model, evaluating candidate AI/automation tools against fit, cost, licensing and auditability criteria, and recommending a constrained, governed tool set.
• Develop the data governance approach underpinning AI-assisted testing, covering data classification, access controls, retention and client confidentiality safeguards appropriate to government and enterprise engagements.
• Map AI-assisted testing interventions against the Software Testing Life Cycle (STLC), identifying where AI can augment requirement, test design, execution, defect triage, reporting and any other test activities without compromising independence or auditability.
• Design and run phased pilots of the framework with live or simulated project data, capturing measurable outcomes (effort saved, defect detection uplift, cycle-time reduction) to build a defensible business case for wider rollout.
• Own the framework's technical documentation, including design rationale, governance controls and rollout playbooks, in a form suitable for Board and client presentation.

Applied Research & Innovation

• Scan the DQA/SQA/IV&V and broader assurance-technology landscape for emerging tools, techniques and standards (e.g. predictive quality analytics, risk-based testing, CI/CD-integrated automation) with potential relevance to MNSB's service lines.
• Translate research findings into practical recommendations, proof-of-concepts and pilot proposals for the Head of Technical, prioritising initiatives with the clearest delivery or commercial impact.
• Maintain a structured R&D backlog and roadmap, balancing exploratory research with near-term, deployable enhancements to existing assurance frameworks.
• Benchmark MNSB's assurance tooling and methods against industry and government-sector practice to keep MNSB's offering differentiated and credible in pre-sales engagements.

Governance, Quality & Compliance of R&D Outputs

• Ensure all AI-assisted testing research and pilots are conducted within MNSB's data governance, confidentiality and regulatory obligations, including client contractual constraints and applicable Malaysian standards.
• Work with the Head of Technical to ensure R&D outputs are independently defensible — documented with clear rationale, evidence and audit trail — rather than presented as unverified proof-of-concept claims.
• Flag technical, data-privacy or compliance risks arising from AI tool adoption early, escalating to the Head of Technical for resolution.

Cross-Functional Collaboration & Enablement

• Work closely with delivery and technical teams to pilot AI-assisted testing capabilities on live engagements in a controlled, low-risk manner, gathering practitioner feedback to refine the framework.
• Support the Head of Technical in pre-sales and client engagements by articulating the AI-Assisted Testing Framework's capabilities, governance model and roadmap to prospective and existing clients.
• Coach and upskill technical staff on AI-assisted testing concepts and tools as the framework matures from pilot to operational use.
• Coordinate with external research partners, technology vendors and academic or industry bodies where relevant to accelerate MNSB's R&D capability.

Reporting & Roadmap Management

• Provide regular progress updates to the Head of Technical on R&D initiatives, pilot outcomes and framework maturity against plan.
• Maintain a clear phased rollout plan for the AI-Assisted Testing Framework (research → pilot → controlled deployment → scale) with defined success criteria at each phase.
• Contribute R&D metrics and outcomes to management dashboards supporting Board-level visibility of MNSB's innovation pillar.

R&D Funding & Grant Acquisition

• Identify and evaluate relevant government, industry and institutional funding schemes (e.g. grants, R&D incentives, innovation funds) applicable to MNSB's AI-Assisted Testing Framework and other R&D initiatives.
• Prepare and submit funding and grant applications, including proposals, technical justifications and budget submissions, to secure necessary funding in support of R&D activities.
• Work with the Head of Technical and CEO/Board as needed to align funding applications with MNSB's strategic priorities and secure necessary approvals and endorsements.
• Track funding application status, manage reporting and compliance obligations for any funding secured, and maintain a pipeline of funding opportunities to sustain ongoing R&D investment.

Intellectual Property Creation & Protection

• Identify, capture and document intellectual property arising from MNSB's R&D initiatives, including the AIAssisted Testing Framework, methodologies, tools and other proprietary assurance assets.
• Work with the Head of Technical and relevant stakeholders to evaluate IP protection options (e.g. patents, copyright, trade secrets, proprietary registration) and support the filing and registration process where applicable.
• Maintain an internal IP register/inventory of R&D outputs, tracking ownership, protection status and commercial or strategic value.
• Ensure R&D and pilot activities are conducted in a manner that safeguards MNSB's IP rights, including appropriate confidentiality, documentation and contractual safeguards with clients, vendors and research partners.
• Support the Head of Technical in positioning MNSB's proprietary IP as a differentiator in pre-sales, client engagements and Board reporting.

Additional Responsibilities

• The Head of R&D may, from time to time, be assigned additional responsibilities by the Head of Technical that are aligned with the role's mandate or required to support MNSB's strategic, operational or innovation objectives.
• Complying with department guidelines and company policies and procedures.

Key Competencies and Experience

• Bachelor's degree or postgraduate qualification in Computer Science, Software Engineering, Data Science, Artificial Intelligence, or an equivalent relevant discipline.
• Minimum 8–10 years' experience in software quality assurance, testing, or software engineering, with demonstrable hands-on exposure to AI/ML-based tools, test automation or data analytics.
• Proven experience designing, prototyping or piloting AI-assisted or automation-driven solutions within a QA, testing or software delivery context.
• Working knowledge of the Software Testing Life Cycle (STLC) and standard QA/IV&V practices, sufficient to map AI interventions meaningfully onto existing test processes.
• Sound understanding of data governance principles, including data classification, access control and confidentiality, particularly in client-facing or regulated environments.
• Ability to translate research and experimentation into clear, board-ready documentation and business cases, with defensible rationale rather than unproven claims.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to balance exploratory research against practical delivery constraints.
• Effective stakeholder communication skills, able to explain technical and AI concepts to both technical teams and non-technical management/clients.
• High integrity, discretion and sound judgement when handling client and project data during research and pilot activities.
• Professional certifications in testing, data or AI fields are an added advantage (e.g. ISTQB CTFL/CTAL, relevant AI/ML or data governance certifications).
• Familiarity with ISO/IEC 17025, ISO 9000/27001 or related quality and regulatory frameworks is an advantage.
• Experience identifying, applying for, or managing R&D grants, innovation funding or government incentive schemes is an added advantage.

Benefits:

• Free parking
• Professional development

Work Location: In person