Strategic Project Lead

Physical Intelligence; San Francisco (CA); On-site; USD 80,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

Physical Intelligence in San Francisco is seeking a Strategic Project Lead (SPL) to own the delivery of key research and deployment initiatives. This role involves partnering with researchers to ensure projects are prioritized and delivered successfully.

The ideal candidate will have over 2 years of experience in program management and a strong ability to translate ambiguous goals into effective plans. Candidates should be comfortable working in a fast-paced environment.

Qualifications

• 2+ years of experience in program management, operations, or similar roles.
• Experience leading complex cross‑functional initiatives with multiple stakeholders.
• Proven track record of translating ambiguous goals into successful outcomes.

Responsibilities

• Own delivery of assigned research and deployment initiatives.
• Partner with researchers to define scope and operational requirements.
• Prioritize work and allocate resources across competing projects.

Skills

Program management

Operational judgment

Communication skills

Prioritization

Job description

The role

The Strategic Project Lead (SPL) owns the successful delivery of company‑critical research and deployment initiatives. SPLs serve as the operational owners of a portfolio of work, partnering with researchers, Research Associates, and Production Operations to ensure projects are appropriately prioritized, staffed, resourced, and delivered. While SPLs do not directly manage operators, they direct project work and are accountable for delivery outcomes.

What you’ll do

• Own delivery of assigned research and deployment initiatives from intake through completion.

• Partner with researchers and stakeholders to define scope, success criteria, timelines, and operational requirements.

• Prioritize work and allocate resources across competing projects based on impact, urgency, and available capacity.

• Build execution plans that define staffing, robot allocation, dependencies, milestones, and delivery timelines.

• Direct project execution across Research Associates, Production Operations, and partner teams.

• Identify and resolve risks, bottlenecks, staffing gaps, and dependency conflicts before they impact delivery.

• Drive project reviews, stakeholder communication, escalations, and delivery decisions.

• Improve planning, prioritization, and operational systems as the organization scales.

What we’re looking for

This role sits at the intersection of program management, operations leadership, and research enablement. We’re looking for someone who can create clarity from ambiguity, coordinate complex work across teams, and consistently deliver results in fast‑moving environments.

Ideal background

• 2+ years of experience in program management, operations, technical project management, consulting, startup operations, or similar roles.

• Experience leading complex cross‑functional initiatives involving multiple stakeholders and competing priorities.

• Strong track record of translating ambiguous goals into executable plans and successful outcomes.

• Experience balancing competing priorities and making thoughtful resource‑allocation decisions.

• Ability to quickly understand technical goals, operational constraints, and execution tradeoffs.

• Experience communicating effectively with both technical and non‑technical stakeholders.

Key qualities

• Exceptional prioritization and organizational skills.

• Strong operational judgment and systems thinking.

• Comfort making decisions with incomplete information.

• Ability to identify risks, bottlenecks, and dependencies before they become problems.

• Ability to influence across teams without direct management authority.

• Strong written and verbal communication skills.

• High ownership and accountability for outcomes.

• Bias toward action and execution.

Nice to have

• Experience supporting AI, robotics, hardware, or research organizations.

• Experience managing data collection, evaluation, annotation, or operational programs.

• Familiarity with robotics workflows and teleoperation environments.

• Experience building operational processes and scaling teams.

• Experience working directly with researchers, engineers, or technical product teams.

Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.