System Integrator (SI) Manager

We are an innovative, Vancouver-based startup at the forefront of robotics, AI, and machine vision technologies. Backed by VC funding and recognized as a 2024 BCTIA Growth Award winner, we are on a mission to redefine the future of AI-driven robotic vision systems.  Apera AI helps manufacturers make their factories more flexible and productive. Robots enhanced with Apera’s software have 4D Vision – the ability to see and handle objects with human-like capability. Challenging applications such as bin picking, sorting, packaging, and assembly are now open to fast, precise, and reliable automation. Apera is led by an experienced team from high-growth companies focused on robotics, artificial intelligence, and advanced manufacturing.

Do you love your car? Use a dishwasher? Apera AI is revolutionizing how they're made. Our 4D Vision technology provides industrial robots with human-like vision and AI-powered intelligence, dramatically increasing reliability, speed, and accuracy in vision-guided robotic automation. We unlock factory performance, empowering automotive OEMs, Tier 1 suppliers, and other industrial manufacturers to achieve unmatched levels of productivity, quality, and cost savings. 
 
With hundreds of successful deployments across North America and a recent round of capital funding, Apera is growing fast—and we’re looking for a driven, strategic System Integration Manager.
 
This is a remote role based in Michigan, with travel as needed to customer, vendor, and partner sites and events. 

The System Integration (SI) Manager will lead and scale a global partner ecosystem of robotic system integrators, ensuring the successful deployment of our AI-powered robotic solutions in manufacturing environments worldwide. This role focuses primarily on business development, from identifying and enabling strategic partners to managing legacy value-add distribution channels. The SI Manager will oversee partner performance through the full customer lifecycle — pre- sales, deployment, and post-installation support, while collaborating with internal engineering, product, marketing, and customer success teams. The role requires deep technical understanding of robotic systems, AI vision, and integration workflows, coupled with strong commercial acumen to grow revenue and partner capability. AI-supported partner enablement and performance analytics tools will be leveraged to accelerate training, optimize channel performance, and strengthen market reach.

This is a rare opportunity to directly influence the success of a global robotics ecosystem while shaping the industry’s approach to intelligent automation. You will be at the forefront of AI and robotics integration, enabling diverse manufacturing sectors to deploy advanced solutions that redefine operational efficiency and quality.

The role offers significant scope for professional advancement — from building a high-performing global partner network to spearheading strategic market expansions in automotive, food & beverage, electronics, and other high-growth verticals. You will gain deep cross-functional exposure, manage multi-national relationships, and help define our long-term channel strategy.

You will thrive if you are motivated by relationship building, technical innovation, and commercial impact. The combination of advanced robotics, AI vision technology, and a rapidly expanding customer base means your work will be both challenging and highly visible, with measurable contributions to company growth and industry leadership.

Major Objectives (First 12–18 Months)

1. Develop and Launch Certified SI Partner Program

Within the first 9 months, design, implement, and launch a Certified SI Partner Program that formalizes onboarding, training, certification, and performance measurement. Leverage AI-enabled learning platforms to accelerate partner technical readiness, track certification progress, and recommend tailored learning paths. Success will be measured by achieving 90% certification among top-tier SIs and improved deployment lead times by at least 20%.

2. Expand Global SI Ecosystem in Strategic Verticals [AI-supported]

By month 12, identify, evaluate, and onboard at least six new high-potential system integrators across target markets, using AI-driven market mapping and partner performance analytics. Secure signed agreements and initiate deployment projects with at least three new strategic SIs, ensuring alignment with regional and vertical growth goals.

3. Strengthen Legacy Distribution Partner Performance [AI-supported]

Within the first year, complete a structured performance uplift program for all legacy distribution partners, integrating CRM and sales tracking tools to improve lead response times and conversion rates by at least 15%. Establish joint marketing campaigns with measurable ROI, leveraging both internal and partner marketing teams.

Critical Subtasks

1. Conduct Partner Ecosystem Audit (First 60 Days) 

Complete a detailed operational audit of all active SI and distribution partners, assessing capability, geographic coverage, and market penetration. Use AI analytics to identify partner strengths, gaps, and opportunities. Present findings with a prioritized action plan to the executive team by the end of the second month.

2. Implement 30-60-90 Day Partner Engagement Plan 

Deploy a structured 90-day engagement roadmap for both new and existing partners, incorporating dashboards to track onboarding progress, technical training, and sales activity. Success will be measured by improved partner responsiveness, early opportunity identification, and initial joint customer wins.

3. Establish Cross-Functional Collaboration Framework

Within the first 90 days, set up a structured collaboration process with Customer Success, Engineering, and Product teams to ensure seamless support for partner-led deployments. This includes shared project tracking tools, AI-assisted issue resolution systems, and quarterly cross-functional review sessions.

4. Lead Strategic Deployment Project Management

Within 6 months, oversee at least one major multi-site deployment through an SI partner, using AI-enabled project scheduling and risk management tools. Deliver the project on time, within budget, and meeting all performance KPIs (uptime, cycle time, defect rates).

5. Develop Multi-Year Partner Growth Strategy 

By the end of year one, create a three-year global partner development plan, supported by AI-based market forecasting and partner performance trend analysis. Secure executive approval and initiate phase-one execution.

6. Manage Crisis or Escalation Events

Act as the primary escalation point for major partner-related issues, resolving urgent technical or commercial challenges within 48 hours. Use root cause analysis tools to ensure permanent fixes and prevent recurrence.

7. Continuously Evaluate and Integrate AI to Improve Performance

Within the first 90–180 days, take ownership of identifying AI and automation tools that can enhance partner enablement, technical support, and sales operations. Pilot new AI solutions, measure impact, and integrate into ongoing workflows for continuous performance improvement.

About you:

Must Haves:

• 5+ years experience in industrial robotics, automation, or manufacturing systems.
• Proven track record managing system integrators or automation partners.
• Deep understanding of robot systems, industrial controls (PLC), and vision/AI applications.
• Strong project management and communication skills.
• Experience working in automotive, logistics, packaging, or high-volume manufacturing preferred.
• Engineering degree (Mechanical, Electrical, Mechatronics, or similar) preferred.

Nice to Haves:

• Experience with 3D/4D vision systems or AI-powered robotic guidance.
• Familiarity with robot brands (e.g., FANUC, ABB, KUKA, UR) and integration platforms.
• Being bilingual (English + French/German/Spanish) is an asset.
• You enjoy travel and are happy with being on the road more than 50% of the time

What do we offer?

• A chance to make a difference. Aperians are friendly, smart, and driven to build amazing products; we tackle challenges as a team, we are close-knit and scrappy. Our teams are motivated, talented, hardworking and have both an intrapreneurial and entrepreneurial spirit. We enjoy making a large impact, solving challenging problems rooted in real-world robotic vision optimization using science, imagination, creativity, and persistence.
  
  
• Build your skills. Build your career. We don’t just promise opportunities. We back them with personalized development plans, annual learning budgets, regular individual and team upskilling, and time dedicated to innovation. Come for the mission, stay for the mastery.
  
  
• Equity That Empowers: A Rare Opportunity to Own What You Help Build. At Apera AI, equity isn’t just a benefit, it’s a belief system grounded in fairness, unity, and shared success. Every Aperian receives a meaningful ownership stake from day one, because those creating value should share in the rewards. While traditional companies reserve equity for a privileged few, we extend it to all employees. We’ve already gained considerable traction in transforming how manufacturers use AI and robotics. Join a mission-driven team where your ideas matter, your work shapes industries, and your ownership grows with every win. This is your invitation to be part of something rare: a company that shares both purpose and upside.

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