Strategic Tech Lead: Intent-Based Robotics & Physical AI

KUKA; United States; On-site; USD 160,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

KUKA North America seeks a Key Technology Manager for Intent-Based Robotics and Physical AI to shape the next generation of AI-enabled automation. You will liaise with sales, product, and partners to commercialize advanced robotics solutions across North America, translating market needs into practical requirements.

The role requires deep robotics experience, strategic thinking, and the ability to drive cross-functional initiatives from concept through customer adoption.

Qualifications

• Proven experience in robotics, automation, AMRs/AGVs, product strategy, technical sales, or advanced technology commercialization.
• Strong understanding of automation environments including PLCs, vision systems, MES/WMS/ERP integration, and factory data.

Responsibilities

• Translate customer and market requirements into actionable roadmap input for product and engineering teams.
• Define requirements for intent-based workflows, orchestration, simulation validation, and telemetry.
• Identify high-value applications in AMRs, mobile manipulation, and flexible logistics to create measurable value.
• Capture customer and market feedback and convert it into product requirements and commercialization priorities.
• Track cognitive robotics and AI ecosystems, maintaining competitor differentiation for KUKA.
• Support sales with credible customer presentations, demos, pilots, and executive-level discussions.
• Help structure pilots and early-access engagements with defined success criteria and data needs.
• Collaborate with integrators, AI providers, software partners, and ecosystem developers.
• Ensure responsible deployment with validation, traceability, and human oversight.
• Develop white papers, briefs, competitive summaries, and training materials to explain concepts.

Skills

Robotics strategy

Technical sales

Product management

AI-enabled automation

Cross-functional leadership

Market & competitive intelligence

Education

Bachelor's degree in a technical field

Master's degree preferred

Tools

Industrial software

Job description

KUKA North America seeks a Key Technology Manager for Intent-Based Robotics and Physical AI to shape the next generation of AI-enabled automation. You will liaise with sales, product, and partners to commercialize advanced robotics solutions across North America, translating market needs into practical requirements.

The role requires deep robotics experience, strategic thinking, and the ability to drive cross-functional initiatives from concept through customer adoption.