About the role
You will lead business development by identifying, validating, and scaling product–market fit for novel gearbox and actuation systems across robotics applications, including humanoid robots, industrial robots, cobots, exoskeletons, bionics, and UAVs. You will drive market adoption and build strategic relationships with robotics OEMs, distributors, and integrators, taking ownership of early-stage engagement from technical exploration through to pilot definition.
You will be bridging commercial strategy with engineering, analyzing application constraints, structuring proof-of-concept projects, and developing use-case-driven value propositions. Working closely with internal engineering teams, you will translate direct customer requirements into actionable product feedback, ensuring technical alignment and shaping the company's broader go-to-market strategy.
This position is in the early-stage startup environment. You should be ready for ambiguity, tight schedules, shifting priorities, rapid iteration, close collaboration with the CEO/CTO, and wider responsibility for decisions that shape the final product.
Responsibilities
Own business development for breakthrough robotics hardware: gearboxes and actuation systems.
Lead engagement and build relationships with robotic OEMs (humanoid robots, industrial robots, cobots, exoskeletons, bionics, UAVs), and integrators to identify potential applications, constraints, and system requirements.
Develop value propositions and positioning based on different use cases.
Shape product-market fit from initial technical exploration to pilot definition and early partnerships.
Travel internationally to engage directly with potential customers and ecosystem partners.
Define scope, set success criteria, and evaluate performance for customer Proof of Concept trials.
Assess customer technical product requirements and validate required modifications with the engineering team.
Main requirements
2+ years of experience in sales, application engineering, or business development in at least one: robotic mechanical components, humanoid robots, industrial robots, cobots, exoskeletons, bionics, or automation equipment.
Bachelor, Master, or PhD in at least one: robotics, electromechanics, mechatronics, mechanical engineering, or industrial automation.
Willingness to frequent international travel.
Other requirements
Ability to operate autonomously: identify problems, propose concrete solutions, prioritize actions, execute without step-by-step instructions, and escalate appropriately.
Ability to build relationships with customers/partners and to understand their value drivers.
Fluent English.
Nice to have, but not mandatory
Understanding of mechanical and mechatronic systems (gearboxes, motors, actuation stacks), including their specific features, differences, and physical limits.
Experience selling to robotics OEMs, system integrators, distributors, or any other automation solution providers.
2+ years of engineering experience.
Experience shaping product-market-fit in an early-stage startup.
Expertise in early-stage market validation and finding product–market fit.
Dutch or French fluency.
