Description

Position at Opentrons

Job Title: Director of AI

Department: Software

FLSA Classification: Exempt

Reports to: VP of Engineering

Direct Reports: Yes

Location: Onsite at Innolabs - Long Island City, NY
*Must reside in a commutable distance to NYC

About the Role

We are seeking a Director of AI to lead the next phase of OpentronsAI strategy and platform capabilities. This role will focus on advancing AI-powered experiences across our robotics and software ecosystem, with particular emphasis on generative AI, intelligent workflow design, and production-grade AI systems for laboratory automation.

The role operates at the intersection of AI research, product strategy, and engineering execution, translating emerging AI capabilities into reliable tools used by scientists in real-world laboratory environments. This is a highly cross-functional role centered on technical vision, roadmap development, hands-on collaboration, and long-term platform strategy. The right candidate will not only set the direction but also expect to roll up their sleeves and execute work personally.

The Director of AI will report into the VP of Engineering.

What You Would Do

Lead AI Product & Platform Strategy:
• Define and execute Opentrons' AI roadmap in partnership with software, product management, and engineering leadership
• Drive the evolution of AI-powered workflow and protocol generation capabilities across the Opentrons platform
• Balance near-term product delivery with longer-term research and platform investments
• Identify opportunities to apply generative AI, ML infrastructure, and intelligent automation to improve the scientist experience

Build Production-Grade AI Systems:
• Lead development of reliable, scalable AI systems that translate natural language inputs into validated laboratory workflows and protocols
• Establish best practices for evaluation, validation, trust, and performance of AI systems in production environments
• Partner closely with engineering teams to operationalize AI capabilities across software and robotics products
• Help shape the technical architecture and infrastructure required to support future AI initiatives

Drive External Innovation & Thought Leadership:
• Build strategic relationships with academic institutions, industry partners, and the broader AI ecosystem
• Support collaborative research, technical partnerships, and recruiting pipelines for top AI talent
• Represent Opentrons externally through conferences, publications, panels, and industry engagement
• Help position Opentrons as a leader in AI-enabled laboratory automation and intelligent scientific systems

Management
• Lead & work with a small team of engineers and developers to build Opentrons' AI- and ML-based product portfolio
• Structure processes and interaction models with other departments and stakeholders
• Build and expand the team as needed and funded by company goals

Who We Are Looking For

Experience:
• Proven professional experience in artificial intelligence, machine learning, or applied research and engineering environments
• Experience designing AI systems with a strong focus on reliability, validation, usability, and operational performance
• Proven track record of delivering AI-powered products from concept through production deployment and ongoing iteration
• Experience working across multidisciplinary organizations spanning software, hardware, and product development

Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities:
• Strong expertise in generative AI, foundation models, and modern AI/ML infrastructure
• Deep familiarity with Python-based AI development ecosystems and production AI workflows
• Ability to define technical strategy and execute effectively in fast-moving, resource-constrained environments
• Strong communication and collaboration skills, including the ability to explain complex technical concepts to varied audiences
• Comfortable operating as both a strategic leader and hands-on technical contributor

Nice to Have:
• Experience within life sciences, laboratory automation, robotics, or scientific software platforms
• Experience collaborating with academic research institutions or contributing to published research
• Prior experience building AI-enabled developer tools, workflow systems, or no-code platforms

Working Conditions and Physical Effort
• Work is performed in a typical interior/office work environment
• Prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer
• Limited physical effort required

Compensation Range: The pay range for this position at commencement of employment is expected to be between $265,000 and $295,000 per year. Base pay offered may vary depending on multiple individualized factors, including market location, job-related knowledge, skills, and years of experience. We typically target mid-range for well-qualified candidates. The total compensation package for this position may also include other elements, including bonus, equity and full range of medical, financial, and/or other benefits (including 401(k) eligibility and various paid time off benefits, such as vacation, sick time, and parental leave), dependent on the position offered. Details of participation in these benefit plans will be provided if an employee receives an offer of employment. Following employment, growth beyond the hiring range is possible based on performance.

The position will be posted until a final candidate is selected for the requisition or the requisition has a sufficient number of applications.

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