Program Director - Technical Partnerships

Apptronik is a human-centered robotics company developing AI-powered robots to support humanity in every facet of life. Our flagship humanoid robot, Apollo, is built to collaborate thoughtfully with people, starting with critical industries such as manufacturing and logistics, with future applications in healthcare, the home, and beyond.

We operate at the cutting edge of embodied AI, applying our expertise across the full robotics stack to solve some of society's most important problems. You will join a team dedicated to bringing Apollo to market at scale, tackling the complex challenges like safety, commercialization, and mass production to change the world for the better.

Role Summary

The Program Director – Technical Partnerships is responsible for leading Apptronik’s most important technical development partnerships. This role is the central point of coordination between Apptronik’s engineering and product teams and our partners’ technical teams. You will own the joint technical roadmap, align workstreams and deliverables across both organizations, and ensure that interface definitions, models, data, and hardware/software integrations land on time and at the right level of quality. You will translate executive intent into concrete technical plans and keep the entire partnership on track toward shared milestones.

Key Responsibilities

Partnership Strategy and Roadmapping

● Develop and maintain the long-term technical strategy and multi-year roadmap for key partnership, in collaboration with Apptronik and partner leadership.

● Translate high-level business and product goals into clear joint technical workstreams, milestones, and success criteria.

● Ensure that partnership plans are aligned with Apptronik’s product roadmap and internal plans of record.

Technical Alignment and Execution

● Drive alignment between Apptronik and partner engineering teams on architectures, APIs, data requirements, simulation environments, hardware interfaces, and integration points.

● Coordinate joint technical reviews (e.g., architecture, integration, performance) as appropriate, and ensure decisions are captured, communicated, and executed.

● Track progress against technical deliverables and integration milestones on both sides, and intervene early when things drift.

Program Governance and Communication

● Define and run the governance model for the partnership, including meeting cadences, decision forums, and communication channels.

● Serve as the primary program contact for partner technical and program leadership, ensuring a single, coherent view of status, risks, and decisions.

● Prepare clear, concise updates and narratives for internal and partner executives, including quarterly reviews and steering committee meetings.

Risk, Dependency, and Resource Management

● Proactively identify technical, schedule, and organizational risks; drive mitigation plans with accountable owners in both organizations.

● Make cross-team and cross-company dependencies explicit and ensure they are tracked, owned, and de-risked.

● Work with functional leaders to ensure appropriate resources are allocated to meet joint commitments and critical milestones.

Required Qualifications

● 7+ years of experience in program management, technical partnerships, or product development leadership in a technology environment.

● Demonstrated experience managing complex, multi-stakeholder technical programs or co-development efforts with external partners or customers.

● Engineering background with strong technical fluency in at least one relevant domain (e.g., robotics, autonomous systems, AI/ML, complex hardware–software systems) and the ability to engage credibly with senior engineers and researchers.

● Proven ability to turn high-level strategic objectives into structured plans, with clear milestones, owners, and measurable outcomes.

● Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, including experience preparing and presenting updates to VP/C-level audiences.

● Strong relationship-building skills and a track record of effectively influencing without direct authority across functions and organizations.

● Highly organized, with excellent follow-through and attention to detail in a fast-paced, ambiguous environment.

Preferred Qualifications

● Experience working in robotics, autonomous systems, AI/ML, or other deep tech industries.

● Prior ownership of strategic technical partnerships with major technology companies or research labs.

● Experience in a high-growth startup environment, building or scaling program/partnership mechanisms.

● Familiarity with simulation-driven development, data pipelines, or large-scale system integration programs.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

• Prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer

• Must be able to lift 15 pounds at times

• Vision to read printed materials and a computer screen

• Hearing and speech to communicate

The expected salary range for this role is $200,000 - $260,000. The actual base pay offered will be determined by several factors including but not limited to, the candidate's relevant experience, specialized skills, and performance during the interview process.

*This is a direct hire. Please, no outside Agency solicitations.

Apptronik provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.