Position: Innovation Lab Specialist
No of Position: 2
Location: Delhi (Rohini) G Bengaluru (Yeswanthpur)
About Social Alpha
Founded in 2016, Social Alpha is a multistage innovation curation and venture development platform focused on addressing the most critical social, economic, and environmental challenges. This non-pro?t platform aims to identify and promote innovative solutions to combat poverty, disease, and climate change. Social Alpha seeks out innovators willing to take entrepreneurial risks with a continuum of support, from their initial development in the lab to their introduction in the market and eventual integration within communities. With its deep community engagement, strategic partnerships, and ecosystem leadership, Social Alpha has demonstrated that impactful innovations can be developed, de-risked, and deployed in the social sector by aligning the incentives of communities, markets, and the state.
About Social Alpha Labs
Social Alpha labs support our innovation ecosystem by building partnerships, managing the physical incubation infrastructure, and running strategic programs in collaboration with government bodies, incubators, and RCD institutions. The team supports innovators through access to physical infrastructure, institutional partnerships, mentors, and capacity-building initiatives.
The Role: What You'll Actually Do
As an Innovation Lab Specialist, you'll be the backbone of our prototype and product development labs in Delhi or Bangalore. This isn't a desk job you'll be in the lab, getting your hands dirty with 3D printers, CNC machines, RF testing equipment, and battery testing setups. You'll manage our maker space, coordinate workshops and demo days, support startup teams with fabrication needs, and help build a vibrant community of innovators. This entry- level role offers serious growth potential from lab operations management to platform coordination across Social Alpha's ecosystem. Perfect for engineers who'd rather build things than push papers.
What you will doing
Lab Operations & Maker Space Management
- Keep the lab running smoothly manage bookings, schedules, and usage tracking using Excel, Google Sheets, or Airtable
- Support lab setup for visits, demos, and workshops
- Get hands-on with fabrication equipment: 3D printers, CNC machines, hand and power tools, electronics workstations, and more
Workshops and Events
- Plan and execute workshops, training sessions, open lab days, and innovation events.
- Handle registrations, participant communication, logistics, and attendance tracking
- Connect with speakers, mentors, and community members to keep the energy high
- Gather feedback and continuously improve the lab experience.
Outreach and Relationship Management
- Support outreach activities via email and calls to engage startups, mentors, and partners.
- Maintain updated contact databases (startups, mentors, vendors, partners)
- Track interactions and ensure timely follow-ups post-events and meetings
Data and Operational Management
- Maintain accurate internal trackers (lab usage, workshops, requests, vendor/mentor records)
- Ensure data quality to support reviews and reporting
Who We're Looking For
- 1–3 years of professional or academic lab experience, with prior exposure to hands-on prototyping, fabrication, maker spaces, or applied engineering projects preferred.
- Bachelor’s / master’s degree - Mechanical Engineering, Electronics Engineering, Mechatronics, or Production Engineering preferred.
Skill & Mindset
- Comfortable with Microsoft Office & Google Suite especially Excel and email communication.
- Highly organized with strong follow-up skills and logical problem-solving abilities
- Comfortable working on-site five days a week in a physical lab and office setting.
- Eager to learn, adapt quickly, and thrive in a fast-paced, hands-on environment
Technical Chops
- Experience in research/academic labs, workshops, technical institutes, startups, or incubator environments
- Solid understanding of engineering, science, or tech concepts you can talk the talk and walk the walk.
- Ability to read 2D/3D drawings, understand tolerances, and work with technical datasheets and specs
- Exposure (0 1 year) to CAD design, prototyping, manufacturing, IoT projects, mechanical assemblies, materials, fabrication workflows, basic electronics, 3D printing, or CNC operations is a huge plus
Why Join Us?
- Be part of a mission-driven organization enabling transformative impact through innovation
- Work in a dynamic, values-led environment with passionate individuals
- Contribute meaningfully to regulatory and ?nancial best practices within the social sector
Compensation
Remuneration will be competitive with Indian philanthropy and social sector standards, and commensurate with experience and quali?cations.
Ready to Apply?
Send your resume to careers@socialalpha.org with the subject line: Application for Innovation Lab Specialist - Delhi
OR
Application for Innovation Lab Specialist - Bengaluru
We're excited to meet engineers who are ready to roll up their sleeves and make innovation happen!