Founding Product Lead / Head of Solutions
Role summary
This early-stage Deep Tech startup is seeking a Founding Product Partner to lead 0-to-1 Solution Architecture and Customer Discovery. You will bridge R&D and the market, translating complex AI capabilities into tangible business solutions for sectors like inspection, security, and construction. Responsibilities include customer discovery, solution architecture, technical translation, field testing, and contributing to go-to-market strategy, including regulatory navigation. The ideal candidate has a builder mindset, technical pedigree (MS/Ph.D. preferred), domain experience in drones/robotics/Edge AI/IoT, and familiarity with the US B2B market and FAA regulations.
Company Description
We are an early-stage Deep Tech startup (Seed/Pre-Seed) building the next generation of Edge AI and Autonomous Systems, i.e., autonomous drone systems and more. Founded by a team of Ph.D. experts and serial entrepreneurs, we are solving critical challenges in autonomous navigation and decision-making, user-friendly human-machine interactions, on-device AI inference and more.
We are seeking a Founding Product Partner to complete our leadership triangle. We have the "Engine" (Technology) and the "Fuel" (Capital/Strategy), we need you to be the "Steering Wheel."
Role Description
This is not a traditional Product Management role where you manage a backlog of tickets. This is a 0-to-1 Solution Architecture and Customer Discovery role. You will act as the bridge between our R&D team and the real-world market. You will define what we build by deeply understanding who we are building it for. You will translate complex AI capabilities into tangible business solutions for customers across sectors such as inspection, security, and construction.
Locations:
Boston, MA; Buffalo, NY; hybrid/remote considered for strong candidates
Key Responsibilities
Customer Discovery & Validation:
Lead the charge in finding and interviewing early adopters. Get "out of the building" to visit customer sites, observe their workflows, and identify pain points that our technology can solve.
Solution Architecture & Workflow Design:
Define the end-to-end user experience. You will not just list features; you will sketch the operational workflow (HMI) for drone pilots and operators, ensuring the system is intuitive and safe.
The "Technical Translator":
Serve as the primary link between the research & engineering team and the customer. You must be able to explain market needs to engineers in technical terms (such as latency, accuracy, edge constraints) and explain technical constraints to customers in business terms.
Field Testing & De-risking:
Participate in field tests. Be willing to get hands-on with the hardware to understand the friction points of deployment (battery life, connectivity, weather).
Go-to-Market Strategy: Collaborate with the founding team to define initial pricing models, pilot programs, and navigate regulatory hurdles (FAA Part 107, Part 108).
What We Are Looking For
The "Builder" Mindset:
Proven experience taking a technical product from concept to launch (0-to-1). You thrive in ambiguity and don't wait for permission to execute.
Technical Pedigree:
MS or Ph.D. in Engineering, Computer Science, Physics, or a related field is highly preferred. You must be able to understand the "Physics" of our product (SWaP-C: Size, Weight, Power, Cost).
Domain Experience:
Experience in Drones (UAV), Robotics, Edge AI, or IoT is essential. You understand the difference between cloud software and hardware-constrained edge computing.
US Market Native:
Deep familiarity with the US enterprise/B2B market ecosystem. You understand how American companies buy technology and the importance of compliance/insurance.
Functional Design Skills:
Ability to wireframe and prototype user interfaces (using Figma, Miro, or whiteboards) to communicate requirements to developers.
Regulatory Awareness:
Familiarity with FAA regulations (Part 107, BVLOS waivers) is a massive plus.
Preferred Qualifications
- Proven experience in Consulting, identifying customer needs, and delivering tailored solutions. Experience working in "Sales Engineer" or "Field Application Engineer" or similar roles.
- Active FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate.
What We Offer
Co-founder Level Equity:
A substantial ownership stake in the company.
Impact:
The opportunity to shape the product DNA of a high-tech startup from Day 1.
Environment: A flat, fast-moving culture where technical excellence meets pragmatic execution.