Robotics AI Strategy & Delivery Lead

Optimal Staffing; Michigan; On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Optimal Staffing seeks a Robotics AI Strategy & Program Lead to own end-to-end cross-functional initiatives spanning AI research, robotics engineering, data infrastructure, and manufacturing operations. You will coordinate with AI researchers, roboticists, data engineers, and product managers to translate technical work into strategic business outcomes.

The role focuses on problem framing, roadmap development, and executive-ready storytelling, delivering fast experiments and long-term platform

Qualifications

• Bachelor's or higher degree in CS/EE/ME or related field.
• 4+ years in strategy, PM, data science, or related roles.
• Proven experience leading large cross-functional programs.
• Experience in AI, ML, or robotics at intersection of AI and robotics.
• Strong strategic thinking and storytelling; able to present to executives.
• Hands-on analysis: SQL, Python or R; dashboards in Looker/Power BI.
• Experience with Databricks and data platforms.
• Familiarity with GenAI tools and AI-assisted workflows.
• Experience with Jira and low/no-code platforms.
• Ability to communicate with AI researchers, engineers, and execs.
• Experience with enterprise processes like security, procurement.

Responsibilities

• Own end-to-end cross-functional projects from problem framing to execution.
• Program manage large multi-team initiatives with milestones and metrics.
• Build and maintain program roadmaps, dependency maps, and risk registers.
• Drive operating rhythms with AI Research, AI Engineering, Robotics Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, and AI Product Management.
• Coordinate with IT, Purchasing, Vendors, Finance, HR, and other partners to keep programs moving.
• Switch contexts between short-turnaround deliverables and long-horizon programs while preserving detail.
• Partner with leadership to define Robotics AI strategy, including problem selection and success metrics.
• Prepare executive-ready presentations and decision docs for SVP-level audiences.
• Translate complex options into structured trade-off frameworks for senior decision-makers.
• Define and instrument metrics for AI/robotics systems.

Skills

Cross-functional leadership

Strategic thinking

Storytelling

Program management

Data analysis

Problem framing

Executive communication

Education

Bachelor's or higher in CS/EE/ME or related field

Tools

SQL

Python

R

Looker

Power BI

Databricks

Jira

Low-code platforms

Job description

Optimal Staffing seeks a Robotics AI Strategy & Program Lead to own end-to-end cross-functional initiatives spanning AI research, robotics engineering, data infrastructure, and manufacturing operations. You will coordinate with AI researchers, roboticists, data engineers, and product managers to translate technical work into strategic business outcomes.

The role focuses on problem framing, roadmap development, and executive-ready storytelling, delivering fast experiments and long-term platform