Industrial Automation Product Manager

Product Manager / Director – Automation (Confidential Search)

Location: Houston, TX 77064

Overview

We are initiating a confidential search for a Product Manager / Director-level leader to support a rapidly growing automation business. This individual will play a critical role in shaping product strategy, driving execution, and bringing new automation solutions to market.

This position reports directly to senior leadership and will serve as a key partner across engineering, sales, and marketing. This is a highly visible, high-impact role with direct influence on both product direction and broader business strategy.

Position Summary

We are seeking a highly driven, entrepreneurial product leader with experience in automation, robotics, or material handling technologies, ideally within warehouse or industrial environments.

Artificial intelligence is rapidly moving into the physical world—bringing with it a new generation of machines capable of perception, mobility, and real-time decision-making. But deploying these technologies successfully requires more than software—it requires purpose-built infrastructure designed for real-world environments.

This role will sit at the center of that evolution and operate in a highly collaborative environment across engineering, sales, and marketing.

The ideal candidate will own the full product lifecycle—from early concept and engineering through commercialization and market adoption—bridging the gap between product development and business development. This person will not only help build the product but will also be responsible for ensuring it is successfully positioned, launched, and sold.

This is an ideal opportunity for someone who thrives in a startup-style environment, enjoys building from the ground up, and brings a true business owner mindset.

Product & Market Focus (Confidential)

This role will help shape and bring to market a portfolio of solutions across three core areas:

• Motion Systems & Mobility Platforms

Purpose-built hardware designed for autonomous and semi-autonomous operation. These solutions integrate motors, controls, and power systems into scalable platforms that support both human-assisted and automated applications.

• Integrated Automation Solutions

End-to-end, field-ready systems designed for immediate deployment—not just individual components. These platforms combine hardware, controls, and software into cohesive solutions that solve real operational challenges in industrial and commercial environments.

• Automation & Industrial Integration

Full lifecycle support from concept through deployment, including workflow design, throughput optimization, controls integration, and ensuring systems are scalable, compliant, and aligned with customer operations.

Key Responsibilities

• Own and drive product strategy, roadmap, and execution for automation solutions

• Lead product development from concept through prototype, validation, and commercialization

• Develop MRDs/NRDs and build prototypes to bring products to market with full ownership

• Partner closely with engineering to translate designs into scalable, market-ready solutions

• Drive new product introduction (NPI) and commercialization strategies

• Build and execute go-to-market plans, including pricing, positioning, and marketing strategy

• Collaborate with sales and marketing teams to support customer acquisition and revenue growth

• Serve as a key customer-facing leader, presenting solutions and gathering market feedback

• Support executive leadership on broader business strategy and product direction

• Lead and mentor a small team of engineers (currently 2, with expected growth)

• Identify market opportunities within warehouse automation and material handling sectors

• Balance technical feasibility with business viability, cost, and scalability

Ideal Candidate Profile

• 5+ years of experience in product management, product development, or technical leadership

• Background in warehouse automation, material handling systems, or industrial automation

• Proven ability to take a product from concept through launch and commercialization

• Experience developing marketing strategies, budgets, and go-to-market plans

• Strong business development and customer-facing experience

• Comfortable in a startup or high-growth environment

• Entrepreneurial, owner mindset with a high sense of accountability

• Proactive, self-starter—someone who thrives without heavy direction

• Ability to bridge engineering teams with sales, marketing, and business functions

• Strong communication, presentation, and client-facing skills

Preferred Experience

• Experience with robotics, AMRs, ASRS, or warehouse handling technologies

• Background in launching products in industrial or commercial markets

• Experience in smaller or startup environments

• Familiarity with collaborative automation (human + machine interaction)

• Experience managing or mentoring engineering teams

Why This Opportunity

• Opportunity to own and build products from the ground up

• Direct partnership with executive leadership on product and business strategy

• High visibility and ability to make immediate impact

• Entrepreneurial environment where initiative and ownership are highly valued

• Opportunity to scale a team and grow alongside a rapidly expanding business

• Work at the forefront of automation entering real-world environments

Compensation & Benefits

• Competitive market compensation

• 100% employer-paid Medical, Dental, and Vision insurance

• 401(k) with company match

• PTO

Why Join?

• 40+ years of proven stability as a family-owned company

• Strong foundation paired with forward-thinking growth and innovation

• Opportunity to make a meaningful impact in a business investing in its future