Vice President Engineering, Mobile Robotics | Navflex Inc · Teeming.ai
Navflex Inc
Navflex provides autonomous mobile robots that streamline trailer and container loading and unloading. The AMRs use AI to adapt to dynamic dock environments in real time, with no infrastructure…
AI RoboticsAutonomous Mobile RobotsLoading And UnloadingQuick ROISupply Chain Automationnavflex.com
Navflex Inc
Navflex provides autonomous mobile robots that streamline trailer and container loading and unloading. The AMRs use AI to adapt to dynamic dock environments in real time, with no infrastructure…
AI RoboticsAutonomous Mobile RobotsLoading And UnloadingQuick ROISupply Chain Automationnavflex.com
HQUS
Team Size27
Open JobsUnknown
Total Funding$6M
Latest Fundraise2 years ago
Join the Team
Vice President Engineering, Mobile Robotics
On-SiteDenver Metropolitan Area, US
On-Site • Denver Metropolitan Area, US
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Note: This position can also be filled in Munich, Germany.
Company Description
Navflex builds the world’s first self-improving logistics robots — autonomous forklifts and AMRs that get smarter with every load. By combining robotics, AI, and deep partnerships with leading OEMs, we turn routine warehouse movements into continuous learning loops that drive efficiency, safety, and scale. From prototype to production, Navflex delivers intelligent automation built for the real world.
Role Description
The VP of Engineering owns product engineering for Navflex’s mobile robotics platforms—hardware and software—from roadmap through certification, production, deployment, and fleet operations.
You will lead a multi-site engineering organization (EU and USA) and operate as a key partner to the CTO/co-founder, elevating execution rigor, safety, and quality while accelerating product velocity.
You will define and scale Navflex’s AI-native robotics strategy, applying advanced AI and Physical AI approaches to perception, motion control, planning, and real-world learning—improving system efficiency, reliability, and fleet intelligence.
This role requires deep experience deploying robotics systems into real-world production environments and building repeatable sprint processes that translate complex robotics R&D into predictable commercial delivery.
What You Will Lead
The Ideal Candidate
Technical Leadership & Vision
You are a true systems-level thinker with deep expertise across the full robotics stack—from mechanical and electrical design to firmware, perception, planning, and high-level software.
You can translate ambitious product goals into a concrete, achievable technical roadmap, making critical decisions on architecture, technology, and build-vs-buy.
You drive a culture of technical excellence, innovation, and robust engineering practices, leveraging hands-on experience in sensor fusion, path planning, and control systems.
You have working knowledge of Physical AI—understanding how embodied intelligence, real-world interaction, and fleet data loops improve robotics efficiency beyond static algorithms.
Execution & Team Management
You have a proven track record of leading multidisciplinary engineering teams to deliver complex, integrated hardware/software products on time and on budget.
You are an inspiring leader and mentor who can attract, develop, and retain top-tier engineering talent, fostering a collaborative, high-accountability environment.
You have successfully deployed robotics systems into commercial production environments and understand the gap between prototype performance and operational reliability.
You possess exceptional project management skills and can define scope, identify risks, and manage resources effectively in a fast-paced, agile environment.
Mindset & Culture Fit
You have a "startup mentality"—scrappy, resourceful, and willing to roll up your sleeves to contribute directly to design, code, or debugging when needed.
You are an outstanding communicator who can clearly articulate technical complexities to engineering teams and non-technical stakeholders alike.
You are relentlessly focused on execution and shipping product, balancing perfection with pragmatism to thrive in the ambiguity of rapid growth.
Qualifications
Minimum Qualifications
Advanced degree (or Bachelor's with equivalent experience) in Robotics, Mechatronics, EE/ME, CS, or a related technical field.
10+ years of engineering leadership experience, including at least 5+ years leading AMR/AGV platform development (autonomous forklifts strongly preferred) from prototype through certification and production.
Preferred Qualifications
Experience building and operating fleet telemetry and reliability programs.
Familiarity with ROS/ROS 2 and industrial interfaces (CAN, Ethernet, EtherCAT).
Deep background in functional safety (e.g., ISO 13849, IEC 61508) for mobile robotics.
Manufacturing and supplier-quality experience (PPAP or equivalent).
German language skills are a plus; professional proficiency in English is required.
Platform Delivery & Industrialization:
Lead the end-to-end delivery of autonomous forklift and AMR platforms; own certification paths and organize production with OEM partners and global suppliers, overseeing all mechanical/electrical design, safety systems, DFM/DFA, and reliability growth.
Software Lifecycle, DevSecOps & Data Protection:
Stand up CI/CD for onboard/edge and cloud services, embed security by design (SBOM, SAST/DAST, vulnerability management), and govern data protection and privacy aligned with GDPR and US requirements (SOC 2, ISO 27001).
AI & Physical AI Strategy:
Define and execute Navflex’s AI-native robotics roadmap, applying Physical AI principles to improve perception, motion control, manipulation, autonomy, and fleet learning efficiency. Drive the integration of modern AI approaches (data-centric development, simulation-to-real transfer, reinforcement learning where appropriate, fleet telemetry feedback loops) to continuously improve robot performance in production environments. Establish MLOps and real-world validation frameworks for safe and measurable deployment at scale.
Deployment & Commissioning Alignment:
Ensure engineering development aligns with customer deployment schedules and requirements; partner closely with Field and Deployment teams to support site readiness, commissioning, and ramp-up. Collaborate on maintaining deployment playbook interface points, assist in tracking key operational KPIs (uptime, MTBF, MTTR), and provide engineering support for root-cause analysis and corrective actions on issues surfaced in the field.
Organization & Execution:
Design the engineering organization and build a high-performing, multi-site team; implement an Engineering Operating System (OKRs, dashboards, reviews) to ensure predictable delivery, accountability, and career growth.
Robotics Sprint Architecture & Delivery Discipline:
Design and implement high-efficiency sprint and release processes tailored to complex robotics systems (hardware + firmware + autonomy + cloud). Ensure tight integration between simulation, bench testing, field validation, and production releases. Create predictable execution cadence while maintaining safety and certification rigor.
OEM/Supplier & Certification Leadership:
Lead multi-partner programs through gated builds (EVT/DVT/PVT), owning schedules, risks, and budgets; align all safety and test evidence with certification bodies to ensure compliance.
Executive Partnership:
Operate as a key partner to the CTO/co-founder on technology roadmap and strategy; collaborate closely with the Director of Product, VP of Operations & Customer Success, and CRO to ensure alignment between technology, customer outcomes, and growth objectives. Clearly communicate status, risks, and mitigations to the executive team and Board of Directors.
Demonstrated ownership of the modern software lifecycle: CI/CD for embedded/edge and cloud, simulation/SIL/HIL, and release governance.
Hands-on experience instituting security (DevSecOps, SBOM) and data-protection programs (GDPR).
Proven leadership of AI/ML initiatives for robotics in perception, planning, or simulation.
Direct oversight of robot deployments and commissioning; experience authoring site readiness, acceptance, and handover plans.
Demonstrated experience deploying autonomous robotics systems into commercial production environments at scale (multi-site or multi-unit deployments preferred).
Proven experience architecting sprint and release processes for complex robotics platforms spanning hardware, autonomy, and cloud systems.
Working knowledge of Physical AI or embodied AI approaches in real-world robotics systems.
