Director Robotics Research Jobs in Georgia (NOW HIRING)

The Role:

AutoStore is redefining what's possible in warehouse automation. As Senior Product Manager, you will lead the roadmap, development, and launch of next-generation robotics and automation products that move goods through some of the world's most demanding fulfillment and intralogistics operations. This is a builder's role: you will take ambitious, often unproven concepts from 0-to-1 - through discovery, prototyping, and early-customer validation - and shape them into category-defining products. We are looking for a strategic, hands-on product leader who pairs deep robotics, automation, and supply chain expertise with the instinct to see where the market is heading next. This role reports to the Vice President of Product Management.

Key Tasks and Responsibilities:

Strategic Product Leadership and Roadmap:

• Define and communicate a clear product vision and strategy that aligns with the company's overall business objectives.

• Develop and maintain a strategic product roadmap, ensuring it reflects customer needs, market opportunities, and competitive dynamics.

• Collaborate with senior leadership to prioritize product initiatives based on business impact and strategic fit.

• Make data-driven decisions to optimize the solution portfolio mix, considering factors such as revenue potential, product financial KPI's, PnL, customer needs, and technological advancements.

Product Innovation and 0-to-1 Development:

• Lead new robotics and automation products from concept to commercialization - defining the problem, validating demand with customers, and guiding products through prototyping, pilot, and full market launch.

• Drive product discovery and experimentation for emerging, unproven opportunities, translating early-stage research and advanced engineering into viable, scalable products.

• Partner with new product development (NPD), advanced engineering, and innovation teams to evaluate emerging technologies - such as robotics, perception and sensing, machine learning, and autonomous systems - and turn them into differentiated product bets.

• Build and test hypotheses rapidly, using pilots, MVPs, and customer feedback to de-risk investment decisions before scaling.

• Champion a culture of bold, customer-grounded innovation, balancing ambition with technical and commercial feasibility.

Customer-Centric Approach:

• Foster a deep understanding of customer needs and behaviors through direct customer and partner engagement, research, and feedback loops.

• Ensure that the voice of the customer is integrated into product planning and development processes.

• Advocate for customer-centric design and usability principles in product development.

Product Lifecycle:

• Regularly assess the portfolio's health, including product performance, market fit, and competitive landscape.

• Manage the entire product lifecycle from ideation to end-of-life, ensuring products meet quality, cost, and delivery targets.

• Assist in the development and implementation of different strategies for product launch, growth, maturity, and decline phases.

• Ensure seamless transition and support throughout the lifecycle, including post-launch enhancements and end-of-life considerations.

• Provide expertise in AutoStore products and industry knowledge to create ideal complete solutions with adjacent hardware (HW) and software (SW), considering competitor offerings.

Market and Competitive Analysis:

• Conduct ongoing market research to understand industry trends, competitive landscape, and emerging opportunities.

• Use market insights to inform product strategy and identify new growth areas.

• Ensure the company's products maintain a competitive edge in the market.

Robotics and Integrated Hardware-Software Development:

• Oversee the development of robotics products that tightly integrate mechanical, electrical, embedded, and software components into a seamless, reliable system.

• Lead and coordinate cross-functional teams across robotics and mechatronics, hardware engineering, embedded and application software, design, and quality assurance.

• Address the unique challenges of robotics development, including synchronized hardware and software release cycles, motion and controls, safety and field reliability, testing, and serviceability.

Stakeholder Management:

• Build strong relationships with internal and external stakeholders, including engineering, product enablement, GTM, marketing, sales, and customer support teams.

• Ensure clear communication and alignment across all stakeholders regarding product strategy, priorities, and progress.

• Manage expectations and balance competing priorities to deliver the most impactful outcomes.

• Be the voice & strong representative of product business unit with stakeholders from cross functional departments.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in Business, Engineering, Computer Science, or a related field; MBA or advanced degree preferred.

• 7 to 10 years of product management experience, preferably in hardware-intensive or robotics/automation products.

• Proven track record of successfully leading cross functional teams and delivering impactful products, including both hardware and software.

• Demonstrated success bringing 0-to-1 products from concept to market - defining new product categories, validating with early customers, and scaling from prototype to commercial launch.

• Direct experience with robotics, automation, or other complex electromechanical systems that combine hardware and software.

• Good domain knowledge of supply chain, logistics, intralogistics, or warehouse automation and fulfillment operations.

• Experience with advanced innovation, or emerging-technology programs, turning early-stage concepts into shippable products.

• Exceptional analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to leverage data to drive decision-making.

• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to influence and inspire cross-functional teams and senior leadership.

• Experience interacting with customers; determining their needs and investigating solutions for them

• Ability to articulate complex ideas to both technical and non-technical stakeholders.

• Passionate about creating customer value and delivering impactful products and has bias for action.

We Offer:

AutoStore believes in taking care of employees and is dedicated to providing a supportive and rewarding work environment. Join us in our mission to store and move things for everyone, everywhere.

• Comprehensive Medical, Dental, and Vision plans

• Health Savings Account (HSA) with a company contribution

• Generous Paid Time Off including 12 holidays, paid exercise time, paid volunteer time, and paid parental leave plans for all new parents

• Retirement 401(k) plan with employer match and discretionary profit sharing contribution

• Educational assistance and professional development programs, including mentorship/coaching programs with external industry leaders

• Additional benefits include Group Life Insurance, Voluntary Additional Life Insurance, Disability Insurance, Employee Assistance programs, and more!

AutoStore is an Equal Opportunity Employer that does not discriminate on the basis of actual or perceived race, color, creed, religion, national origin, ancestry, citizenship status, age, sex or gender (including pregnancy, childbirth, pregnancy-related conditions, and lactation), gender identity or expression (including transgender status), sexual orientation, marital status, military service and veteran status, physical or mental disability, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local laws and ordinances.