Senior Manager, Robotic Technology Development

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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