Robotics AI Lead

Job Title: Robotics AI Strategy & Program LeadAbout the roleOEM is building one of the most ambitious AI and robotics programs in manufacturing, developing systems capable of autonomously manipulating thousands of parts across OEM global plant network. Our Robotics AI organization sits at the intersection of AI research, robotics, manufacturing engineering, and AI product management, driving both cutting-edge technology and real factory impact.We are looking for a Robotics AI Strategy & Program Lead who can own end-to-end, cross-functional initiatives that cut across AI research, robotics engineering, data infrastructure, and manufacturing operations. They will be known as an operator who gets things done across complex organizations.This role blends strategy, program management, analytics, and hands-on AI tools work: you will structure the problems, build the dashboards, dive into the data, leverage and build AI agents, and drive large programs to completion while unblocking teams across IT, Purchasing, Vendors, Finance, HR, and Manufacturing.You will be embedded with AI researchers, roboticists, AI engineers, data engineers, and AI product managers, translating between technical and non-technical stakeholders and ensuring that what we build is strategic, measurable, and shippable - from fast-turnaround experiments to multi-year-old platform bets.What you will ownProgram and project leadershipOwn end-to-end cross-functional projects from problem framing and strategy throughexecution, measurement, and iteration.Program manage large, multi-team initiatives (e.g., new robotics AI capabilities, data/telemetry programs, analytics or tool rollouts) with clear milestones, owners, and success metrics.Build and maintain program roadmaps, dependency maps, and risk registers; proactively identify and resolve blockers across teams.Drive operating rhythms (standups, reviews, steering forums) with AI Research, AI Engineering, Robotics Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, and AI Product Management.Roll up your sleeves to push work through organizational and process complexity-coordinating with IT, Purchasing, Vendors, Finance, HR, and other partners to keep programs moving.Comfortably manage multiple initiatives at once, switching contexts between short-turnaround deliverables and long-horizon programs without dropping detailsStrategy, storytelling, and decision supportPartner with leadership to define and refine Robotics AI strategy, including problem selection, sequencing of bets, and success metrics.Structure clear narratives and storyboards that connect technical work to OEM-level business outcomes and manufacturing KPIs.Prepare executive-ready presentations and decision docs (SVP and above), highlighting what has changed, what is at risk, and what decisions are needed.Translate complex technical options into simple, structured trade-off frameworks for senior decision-makers.Data, analytics, and toolingGo deep on data: define questions, shape logging/telemetry requirements, pull and analyze data using SQL, Python, or R, and translate findings into actionable insights.Build and maintain dashboards (e.g., Looker, Power BI) that track program KPIs, model and system performance, factory deployment health, and operational metrics.Partner with Data Engineering and platform teams to leverage Databricks and otherinfrastructure for analytics and reporting.Design and orchestrate GenAI-powered workflows and agents to automate repetitive analysis, reporting, and operational tasks where appropriate.Continuously learn and adopt new AI, data, dashboarding, and tracking tools, and help the broader team do the same AI, robotics, and technical collaborationAct as a fluent technical partner to AI researchers, robotics engineers, and data engineers-you don't need to write production code or models, but you do need to understand what makes them hard.Help ensure that data collection, labeling, evaluation, and deployment workstreams are aligned with program goals and success metrics.Collaborate closely with AI product managers to connect user needs, technical capabilities, and deployment constraints, especially in manufacturing settings.Engage with external partners and vendors in AI, robotics, and data tooling where both technical depth and program context are required.Ways of working and cultureChampion a learning-oriented culture: rapidly explore new tools (GenAI, agents, analytics, low-code platforms), techniques, and methodologies, and help the team adopt what works.Model "get your hands dirty" execution-whether that's pulling data, building a quickdashboard, prototyping an AI agent, or refining a deck the night before an exec review.Help continuously improve our program management, measurement, and communication practices across the Robotics AI org.Practice proactive, "over-communication" with leaders and stakeholders-keeping partners up to speed on risks, decisions, and progress, and responding quickly to questions or asksThrive in a dynamic environment where priorities can shift, and enjoy moving between strategic problem framing, detailed data work, and day-to-day executionRequired qualificationsBachelor's or higher degree in Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, MechanicalEngineering, or a closely related technical field.4+ years of experience in one or more of:Management consulting or corporate strategyProduct management or technical program managementData science or data analyticsMeaningful experience in AI, ML, or robotics (e.g., robotics AI, applied ML, computer vision, intelligent automation, or similar), ideally at the intersection of AI and robotics.Demonstrated ability to lead large, complex cross-functional programs with high ambiguity and multiple parallel workstreams.Strong strategic thinking and storytelling skills: can frame problems, structure options, and communicate clearly to both technical and non-technical audiences.Comfort operating as a hands-on analyst and builder, including:Writing SQL and using Python or R for analysis.Building dashboards in tools like Looker or Power BIWorking in Databricks and similar data platformsDemonstrated fluency with GenAI tools (e.g., prompt engineering, using copilots/assistants in daily workflows) and a track record of designing or orchestrating AI-assisted workflows or agents.Experience with modern collaboration and delivery tooling such as Jira and low/no-code application platforms (e.g., Power Apps, AppSheet).Ability to modulate communication style: comfortable diving into technical details with AI researchers and roboticists, and equally comfortable presenting synthesized insights to senior, non-technical executives.Proven cross-functional collaboration and influence skills; known as a team player who creates clarity and momentum rather than just tracking tasks.Demonstrated experience working directly with technical teams (AI researchers, AI engineers, roboticists, data engineers), understanding their work well enough to track progress, surface risks, and offer hands-on support Strongly preferredPrior work in robotics, robotics AI, or physical AI systems, especially in manufacturing, industrial, or logistics environments.Experience operating at the intersection of research and production, helping teams balance exploration with delivery.Background in data-driven decision-making, experimentation, and KPI design in complex technical domains.Experience defining and instrumenting metrics for AI or robotics systems (e.g., reliability, coverage, cycle time, throughput, data quality).Comfort with storyboarding and narrative design-you naturally think in terms of "what's the story?" and how to land it in a deck or memo.Track record of rapidly learning new technical domains and tools and helping teams adopt them effectively.Experience driving programs through enterprise processes (e.g., security reviews, procurement, vendor onboarding) and removing organizational blockers to keep technical teams moving.Who you areStrategic and big-picture thinker who can also go deep into the data and technical details when needed, and who enjoys switching between high-level framing and hands-on execution.Storyteller and storyboarder who can craft clear narratives from complex technical work, elevating the message for SVP-level audiences while making it appropriately technical for AI researchers and engineers.Cross-functional collaborator who builds trust with engineers, researchers, product leaders, and manufacturing partners, and is known as an operator/hustler who gets things done across organizational boundaries.Curious, hungry learner of new tools, techniques, and subject areas; you proactively experiment with new AI and analytics capabilities, and quickly incorporate them into how you and the team work.Hands-on and detail-oriented, willing to get into the weeds on data, tools, and process to make programs successful, from small, fast-turnaround analyses to multi-quarter initiatives.Technically fluent, able to understand AI and robotics concepts well enough to ask the right questions and bridge between disciplines, and comfortable interfacing directly with AI researchers, AI engineers, and roboticists on a daily basis.A proactive, "over-communicating" operator who keeps stakeholders informed, surfaces risks early, and follows through reliably - especially when juggling multiple priorities at once*Fully Onsite