Robotics AI Strategy and Program Lead

About the Role & Organization

We are building one of the most ambitious AI and robotics programs in manufacturing, developing physical AI systems capable of autonomously manipulating thousands of parts across a global plant network. Our Robotics AI organization sits at the intersection of cutting‑edge AI research, robotics engineering, data infrastructure, and global manufacturing operations. We don’t just research — we deploy real technology into physical factories at enterprise scale.

Role Overview

We are seeking a high-caliber Robotics AI Strategy & Program Lead to own end-to-end, cross-functional initiatives across AI research, robotics engineering, data infrastructure, and plant operations. In this high-visibility role, you will be embedded with AI researchers, roboticists, data engineers, and AI product managers. You will blend strategic problem framing, technical program management, advanced analytics, and hands‑on AI agent workflows to move multi‑year platform bets and rapid experiments from concept to factory floor. You are a relentless operator known for cutting through organizational complexity and translating seamlessly between deep technical details and executive-level business outcomes.

What You Will Own

1. Program & Project Leadership

• End-to-End Ownership: Drive multi-team initiatives (e.g., physical AI capabilities, telemetry pipelines, analytics tooling) from initial framing through execution, measurement, and iteration.
• Roadmaps & Risk Mitigation: Build and maintain program roadmaps, dependency maps, and risk registers; proactively clear organizational blockers across IT, Purchasing, Vendors, Finance, HR, and Manufacturing.
• Operating Rhythms: Establish and lead standups, reviews, and steering forums with AI Research, AI Engineering, Robotics Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, and Product teams.
• Multi-Threaded Execution: Effortlessly context-switch between fast-turnaround daily deliverables and long-horizon platform programs without losing accuracy or detail.

2. Strategy, Storytelling & Decision Support

• Strategic Framing: Partner with leadership to refine the Robotics AI strategy, including problem selection, sequence of technology bets, and business success metrics.
• Executive Narratives: Craft structured storyboards, memos, and executive-ready presentations for SVP-and-above decision-makers, synthesizing complex trade-offs into actionable choices.
• KPI Definition: Connect technical AI/robotics milestones directly to enterprise manufacturing outcomes, cycle times, and operational metrics.

3. Data, Analytics & AI Tooling

• Hands-on Analytics: Define data logging/telemetry requirements, run custom SQL queries, analyze datasets using Python or R, and translate raw data into actionable insights.
• Dashboarding & Infrastructure: Build and maintain high-impact dashboards (Looker, Power BI) tracking model performance, deployment health, and plant KPIs, using Databricks for underlying reporting.
• AI & Agent Orchestration: Design and deploy GenAI-powered workflows and agents to automate reporting, operational workflows, and repetitive analytical tasks.
• Tool Adoption: Champion and rapidly adopt modern analytics, tracking (Jira), low/no-code platforms (Power Apps, AppSheet), and AI copilots across the organization.

4. Technical & Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Technical Interface: Serve as a fluent partner to AI researchers and roboticists — understanding the underlying technical challenges in data collection, labeling, model evaluation, and physical deployment without needing to write production code.
• Product & Vendor Alignment: Collaborate with AI Product Managers to map user needs against factory constraints, and interface directly with external robotics/AI partners and vendors.

Qualifications

Required Qualifications

• Education: Bachelor’s or higher degree in Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or a closely related technical discipline.
• Experience: 4+ years of experience across one or more of the following domains:
  • Management consulting or corporate strategy
  • Technical program management (TPM) or product management
  • Data science or advanced data analytics
• Domain Context: Meaningful experience in AI, ML, or robotics (e.g., applied ML, computer vision, robotics AI, or intelligent automation).
• Technical Analytics Skills: Hands-on proficiency with SQL, Python or R, and enterprise dashboarding tools (Looker or Power BI) on modern data platforms (Databricks).
• GenAI & Tooling Fluency: Practical experience using GenAI tools/copilots in daily workflows and designing/orchestrating AI‑assisted workflows or agents. Experience with Jira and low/no-code application builders.
• Program Leadership: Proven track record of leading large, ambiguous, cross‑functional programs with parallel technical workstreams.
• Executive Presence & Storytelling: Ability to modulate communication styles — diving into granular technical discussions with engineers and synthesizing big‑picture strategy for senior executives.

Strongly Preferred Qualifications

• Background in physical AI, robotics, or computer vision deployed in manufacturing, industrial, or logistics environments.
• Experience navigating the bridge between AI research and production systems.
• Track record of instrumenting reliability, coverage, throughput, and performance metrics for AI/robotics platforms.
• Hands‑on experience navigating complex enterprise processes (security, procurement, vendor onboarding) to maintain technical momentum.

Who You Are

• The Strategic Operator: You can elevate discussion to 30,000 feet for executive alignment, then drop into SQL queries or data pipelines to solve an operational blocker.
• The Storyteller: You naturally structure complex technical progress into concise, impactful narratives that drive decision‑making.
• The Hustler: You are known as a high‑energy builder who creates clarity out of ambiguity and gets things done across organizational boundaries.
• The Continuous Learner: You are obsessed with testing new AI tools, agent frameworks, and low‑code platforms, actively helping your team adopt what works.

Benefits

• Our eligible talent get access to amazing benefits like subsidized health, vision, and dental plans, paid sick leave, and retirement plans with a match.
• We also offer free online training through Aquent Gymnasium.

Equal Opportunity

Aquent is an equal‑opportunity employer. We evaluate qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, veteran status, and other legally protected characteristics. We’re about creating an inclusive environment-one where different backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives are valued, and everyone can contribute, grow their careers, and thrive.