Product Manager, Hardware at rivr

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 What you’ll be doing Customer Understanding & Product Vision • Serve as the internal representative of the customer, developing a deep, first-hand understanding of delivery operations and customer needs through regular time in the field. Develop and communicate the program vision and roadmap to development teams while defining features of the robotic system • Ensure product completeness from a defined customer's perspective, considering what makes a delivery robot 'whole and complete' for real-world deployment • Spend regular time with delivery operations teams (primarily in the US), observing real-world robot performance, identifying pain points, and translating insights into product improvements. Hardware Strategy & Planning • Develop forward-looking hardware strategy for autonomous legged robots that aligns with organizational goals and technology roadmaps • Evaluate emerging trends, innovations, and potential future device requirements for delivery robotics • Partner with engineering and program management to translate product strategy into executable plans, ensuring the right features are built at the right time. Balance trade-offs between robot capabilities, weight constraints, environmental durability, and cost efficiency • Define success metrics for hardware performance in real-world environments (e.g. reliability, durability, delivery success rate) and use data to continuously refine product decisions • Make product trade-offs across performance, robustness, cost, and manufacturability, with a strong understanding of how hardware behaves in uncontrolled, real-world environments Cross-Functional Leadership & Execution • Own and prioritize the hardware product roadmap, defining what problems to solve and why, and ensuring alignment between customer needs, technical feasibility, and business impact. • Collaborate with System and Solution Engineers to define and maintain Nonfunctional Requirements (NFRs) for robot hardware, including reliability targets, safety systems, and environmental durability • Work with technical teams to understand enabler work and jointly sequence architectural work that will host new business functionality • Lead hardware experiments to gather feedback, test new robot configurations, and assess potential impacts before broader rollout Stakeholder Engagement & Communication • Participate in planning meetings, representing the vision and proposed features while approving objectives and defining business value • Engage with technical stakeholders, and delivery operations teams, to understand hardware needs and gather feedback • Participate in demos and assess metrics, including evaluation of business value achieved versus planned • Build strong relationships with operations teams and Amazon stakeholders, ensuring continuous feedback loops between field usage and hardware development. Hardware Lifecycle & Integration Management • Manage the robot hardware portfolio, including maintaining visibility into device lifecycles, battery management systems, and procurement • Oversee robot-delivery van integration requirements including entry/exit mechanisms, package vending systems, charging infrastructure, and safety systems • Provide subject matter expertise and troubleshooting support for hardware-related issues escalated by delivery associates or technical teams • Ensure hardware solutions are not only technically sound but operationally viable at scale, considering maintenance, failure modes, and field serviceability What you must have • Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Robotics, Computer Science, or related technical field • 5+ years of product management experience with hardware products, preferably in robotics, autonomous systems, or electromechanical devices • Experience working closely with operations or customers in real-world environments (e.g. field deployments, pilots, or production systems) • Strong technical background with ability to understand complex robotic systems, mechanical design trade-offs, and system integration challenges • Experience defining, documenting, prioritizing, and maintaining business requirements for hardware features • Demonstrated ability to develop and communicate product vision, roadmap, and features to cross-functional teams • Experience leading cross-functional teams including mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, software, manufacturing, and operations • Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills with data-driven decision-making approach • Outstanding communication skills for both technical and non-technical audiences, including ability to present to senior leadership • Experience managing product roadmaps, prioritization, and trade-off decisions in resource-constrained environments Get some bonus points • Master’s degree in Engineering, Robotics, Business Administration (MBA), or a related field • Experience with autonomous robots, delivery systems, or other complex electromechanical products in real-world environments • Familiarity with hardware qualification, integration validation, and reliability testing • Experience working with manufacturing, supply chain, or cost optimization for hardware at scale • Experience working with international teams and global deployments Amazon RIVR is committed to building a diverse and inclusive team that values every perspective. If you’re passionate about driving innovation in robotics and creating meaningful impact, we encourage you to apply and bring your unique self to our team.   We believe the best work is done when collaborating and therefore require in-person presence in our office locations.