Rivr19d ago

Senior Manager, Robotics Hardware Development

Zürich,Zurich,ZürichFull-Timesenior

OtherDevelopment

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Overview

Amazon RIVR is a robotics company pioneering Physical AI through real-world doorstep delivery. Founded in 2024 as an ETH Zurich spin-off,

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OtherDevelopment

Amazon RIVR is a robotics company pioneering Physical AI through real-world doorstep delivery. Founded in 2024 as an ETH Zurich spin-off, RIVR developed wheeled-legged robots designed to operate in complex, unstructured environments such as stairs, gates, doors, and uneven urban terrain. We believe that achieving general physical intelligence requires solving real customer problems in the real world, where robots can learn from rich operational data at scale.

Following our acquisition by Amazon in March 2026, we are continuing this mission with greater reach and speed. By combining custom robot hardware, onboard autonomy, and cloud-based coordination, Amazon RIVR is building the next generation of safe, reliable autonomous robots for last-mile delivery

As a senior engineering manager at Amazon RIVR, you will partner closely with our CTO Hardware to scale the engineering organization during a period of rapid growth. Following the recent launch of RIVR TWO, our next-generation robot built for doorstep delivery and AI data collection at scale, we are entering a critical phase of industrialization, organizational scaling, and continued product evolution. RIVR TWO is a key step in our global delivery mission, and this role will help turn that ambition into reality at scale while also shaping the next generation of RIVR robotics.

In this position, you will be a highly autonomous manager, trusted to guide a team of managers and engineers across the full hardware lifecycle - from highly ambiguous V0/V1 prototyping through to high-volume mass production. You will define the metrics, goals, and long-term hardware strategies needed to translate technical progress into scalable impact.

This is a rare opportunity for a manager who combines strong technical judgment with a genuine passion for coaching future leaders, building high-performing teams, and strengthening a culture of ownership, speed, and continuous iteration.

This is a multifaceted manager role requiring a balance of deep technical judgment, organizational design, and strong cross-functional collaboration. You will operate with a high degree of autonomy, solving complex problems where the path is not always clearly defined, while building the structures, processes, and team environment that enable engineers to do their best work.

Drive the successful delivery of a complex, cross-functional hardware system, with total ownership spanning design, procurement, manufacturing, assembly, field operation, and maintenance, ensuring all product requirements are met and align with the product vision and the technology roadmap.

Enforce and iteratively improve workflows, ensuring the team has the necessary information, resources, and clear processes to operate at maximum efficiency, meet yearly objectives, and constantly improve.

Manage complex hardware decisions and escalations, proactively mitigating risks and reducing exposure to failure modes like insufficient testing or outdated processes.

Partner with Product, Operations, and Business teams to integrate engineering initiatives and resolve contentious issues by building consensus.

Actively mentor, facilitate career growth, and lead talent acquisition efforts with a focus on bar-raising to ensure a high-performing environment for team players.

Significant engineering leadership experience in robotics or complex hardware/software environments.

A track record of delivering stable, performant hardware solutions and taking concepts through validation to mass production.

Proven ability to lead a team of employees tasked with solving significantly complex problems with tight timelines.

Ability to define metrics, execute and influence long-term strategies, and contribute to organizational goal planning.

Ability to lead vendor meetings, negotiate manufacturing approaches, and drive the fabrication process from concept to delivery.

Exceptional written and verbal skills, including the ability to write effective strategic narratives and present decisions to senior leadership.

Willingness to travel up to 25%

Proven track record of taking a complex robotics product from a "Skunkworks" V0 prototype all the way to global mass production.

History of contributing to Intellectual Property (e.g., patents or published research) in robotics, mechatronics, or Physical AI.

Background in hardware reliability testing (physics-of-failure) and navigating international certifications (CE, UL, etc.).

Recognized expertise in a specific hardware domain such as Computer Vision/Optics, Sensor Fusion, or Advanced Materials.

Experience managing OEM/ODM relationships and navigating international hardware trade-offs (make vs. buy).