Senior Manager, Robotic Technology Development

Job Description

The Senior Manager Robotic Technology Development is responsible for converting validated robotic concepts into production-ready systems. This role leads the development and integration of robotic technologies from advanced prototypes through system-level demonstrations and ensures readiness for operational deployment in partnership with Manufacturing Engineering Operations and Safety.

This is an execution-focused leadership role. The Senior Manager ensures robotic technologies progress beyond proof-of-concept into scalable reliable and supportable solutions aligned to real-world plant and operational environments.

Key Responsibilities

Advanced Development & System Integration

• Lead development of robotic technologies from validated subsystems through fully integrated system prototypes and demonstrations in representative environments.

• Ensure solutions are built using production-representative hardware and software with early focus on reliability diagnostics maintainability and lifecycle support.

• Drive disciplined execution that produces measurable evidence of system readiness.

Operational Deployment Readiness

• Define clear criteria and exit gates for transitioning robotic systems from development to operational deployment.

• Partner with Manufacturing Engineering Operations and Safety to close gaps in robustness compliance documentation training and long-term support.

• Establish acceptance metrics and structured handoff processes to reduce deployment friction and rework.

Capability-Driven Technical Leadership

• Translate operational needs into defined robotic capabilities (e.g. autonomy perception recovery behaviors orchestration).

• Identify and define enabling technologies required to deliver those capabilities.

• Balance near-term delivery objectives with long-term architectural scalability and reuse.

Architecture & Technical Standards

• Establish practical technical standards for modular software architectures hardware abstraction and system interfaces across robotics AI and plant systems.

• Ensure technical decisions enable future deployment scale and operational sustainability.

• Make informed build-versus-buy decisions aligned with delivery timelines and business needs.

Cross-Functional Integration

• Serve as the primary technical interface across AI/Autonomy teams Manufacturing Engineering Safety & Compliance and Plant Operations.

• Clarify ownership interfaces and decision rights to ensure alignment from development through deployment.

• Ensure robotic systems are designed for real-world plant conditions not laboratory environments.

Team Leadership & Operating Model

• Lead and develop a multidisciplinary robotics technology development organization.

• Establish clear accountability delivery expectations and technical rigor.

• Implement execution rhythms (planning cycles design reviews readiness checkpoints) to enable speed with stability.

What Success Looks Like (12 Months)

• Advance one or more robotic systems from prototype to deployment-ready status with defined acceptance criteria.

• Reduce rework and ambiguity during transition to Manufacturing and Operations.

• Establish a repeatable development model for converting robotic capabilities into deployable systems.

• Create clarity around ownership readiness standards and technical decision-making.

Required Qualifications

• 10 years of experience in robotics automation or complex systems development.

• Demonstrated success delivering systems from prototype through production or operational readiness.

• Systems-level expertise in robotics software systems integration autonomy perception and real-time or safety-aware systems.

• Experience partnering closely with manufacturing or operational organizations.

• Experience leading technical teams in a complex cross-functional environment.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience transitioning advanced technologies into production or field deployment.

• Background in manufacturing logistics or industrial environments.

• Familiarity with safety-critical or regulated systems.

• Proven ability to collaborate with AI teams while maintaining strong delivery focus.

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