Physical AI and Robotics Sales Specialist

1100 Applied Industrial Technologies, Inc.; Fremont (CA); On-site; USD 140,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

Olympus Controls in the Bay Area seeks a technically curious Physical AI and Robotics Sales Specialist to drive growth across robotics, AI-enabled systems, and automation in high‑tech industries. You will engage AI robotics startups and OEMs, demonstrate proofs‑of‑concepts, and translate complex technology into practical automation solutions while building long‑term partnerships.

The role blends technical credibility with sales drive, requiring hands‑on programming ability and knowledge of ROS,

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in a technical field is preferred or equivalent hands-on robotics/automation experience.
• Experience in robotics, automation, or technical sales environments.
• Strong ability to translate technical needs into practical automation solutions.
• Comfortable presenting and demonstrating technology to diverse stakeholders.
• Familiarity with robotics systems, sensors, and industrial communications is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Own and grow strategic robotics and physical AI opportunities across the Bay Area.
• Partner with local Sales Engineers to identify target accounts and advance complex robotics projects from discovery through close.
• Build credibility with technical customers by understanding their automation challenges and system architectures.
• Develop and deliver product demonstrations, proofs-of-concept, and application mockups.
• Engage with supplier partners to configure and position solutions for robotics and automation applications.
• Stay current on robotics and automation trends, including ROS-based development and machine vision.

Skills

Robotics programming

Customer-facing sales

Technical communication

Opportunity discovery

Education

Bachelor's degree in Mechanical/Electrical/Software Engineering or related field

Tools

ROS/ROS2

Python

C++

Machine vision

Job description

Olympus Controls is looking for a technically curious, customer-facing Physical AI and Robotics Sales Specialist to help lead our next phase of growth in the Bay Area's most advanced industries, including physical AI, robotics, high-tech OEM startups, semiconductor, and life sciences automation.

This person will sit at the intersection of robotics, automation, AI-enabled systems, and business development. The ideal candidate can walk into a conversation with an AI robotics startup, semiconductor equipment manufacturer, or advanced OEM and credibly discuss robot integration, machine vision, device communication, motion control, proof-of-concept development, and production automation challenges.

Role Overview

The High-Tech Robotics & Physical AI Specialist will work closely with Sales Engineers, Applications Engineers, supplier partners, and customers to identify, develop, demonstrate, and close advanced robotics opportunities. The role is highly customer-facing and requires a mix of technical credibility, sales drive, hands-on programming ability, and excitement for emerging automation technologies.

This person will focus heavily on Bay Area industries where robotics and AI are reshaping manufacturing and product development.

Key Responsibilities

• Own and grow strategic robotics and physical AI opportunities across the Bay Area.
• Partner with local Sales Engineers to identify target accounts, develop opportunity plans, and advance complex robotics projects from discovery through close.
• Build credibility with technical customers by understanding their automation challenges, system architecture, communication requirements, and integration constraints.
• Develop and deliver engaging product demonstrations, proof-of-concepts, and application mockups using robotics, vision, end-effectors, sensors, motion, and related automation technologies.
• Work with supplier partners to configure, quote, and position solutions for robotics, machine vision, sensing, motion, safety, and factory automation applications.
• Engage with major players in AI, robotics, semiconductor, electronics, and OEM markets with a consultative, technically intelligent approach.
• Support marketing events, technology days, customer visits, and supplier-led demonstrations.
• Stay current on emerging robotics and automation trends, including ROS-based development, robot programming, AI-enabled automation, machine vision, industrial communication protocols, and flexible manufacturing.

Ideal Technical Background

The strongest candidate does not need to be a deep software engineer but should be technically fluent enough to have credible conversations with advanced robotics and AI companies.

Ideal experience includes:

• Hands-on robotics programming or integration experience.
• Familiarity with ROS or ROS 2.
• Experience with script-based programming such as Python, JavaScript, C++, or similar.
• Understanding of industrial and device-level communication, such as Ethernet/IP, Modbus TCP, TCP/IP, IO-Link, serial communication, MQTT, OPC UA, or similar protocols.
• Ability to work with robots, machine vision, sensors, end-effectors, controllers, and peripheral automation devices.
• Understanding of how hardware and software come together in robotic systems.
• Ability to build demos, troubleshoot systems, and support proof-of-concept development.
• Experience working with electronics, semiconductor, OEM, robotics, or advanced manufacturing customers is highly valuable.

Sales and Customer Skills

This role requires someone who enjoys being in front of customers and can make complex technology exciting, understandable, and commercially relevant.

• Ask strong discovery questions and uncover high-value automation opportunities.
• Translate technical customer needs into practical automation solutions.
• Present and demonstrate technology in an engaging, confident way.
• Coordinate across Sales Engineers, Applications Engineers, suppliers, and customers.
• Build trust with engineering, operations, manufacturing, and executive stakeholders.
• Balance hands-on technical work with disciplined sales follow-up.
• Prospect into emerging high-tech accounts and develop new business.
• Represent Olympus Controls as a credible automation partner for the Factory of the Future.

Qualifications

Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Software Engineering, Mechatronics, Robotics, Computer Science, or a related technical field preferred.

Equivalent hands-on robotics, automation, or technical sales experience will also be considered.

2-5+ years of experience in robotics, automation, technical sales, applications engineering, systems integration, OEM equipment, semiconductor, electronics manufacturing, or a related technical field.

Experience with collaborative robots, autonomous mobile robots, machine vision, sensing, motion control, or industrial automation platforms preferred.

Comfortable with customer-facing work, demonstrations, proof-of-concept