Program Lead, Pan-European Robotics Initiative (f/m/x) in München

Ignite Next is Europe's scale-up program for deep tech innovation, founded by the former Intel Ignite leadership team and now independently operated. We accelerate early-stage, high-impact startups developing breakthrough technologies in semiconductors, physical AI, advanced computing, and other frontier domains.

Non-dilutive and founder-first, Ignite Next works with leading technology companies, including Infineon, Intel, and Synopsys, to connect startups with world-class technical and business expertise, turning breakthrough innovation into breakout success. We are headquartered in Dresden, Germany, at the heart of Silicon Saxony.

The Role

We're hiring a Program Lead for our pan-European open robotics initiative: a partner network of industrial primes, robotics scale-ups, component suppliers, software platforms, universities, and research institutions across the European robotics value chain.

You run the initiative day-to-day: partner network, program portfolio, funding pipeline, and external presence. You report to the Ignite Next leadership team, which sets the strategic direction with you and joins the largest partner negotiations. You start hands-on and build a small team as the initiative grows.

Your Responsibilities

• Industry network. Recruit, onboard, and retain partners across all tiers: industrial primes, robotics scale-ups, component suppliers (sensing, vision, actuation, drives), software and middleware players, universities, and research institutions. Lead most partner conversations yourself; bring in the leadership team for prime-level commitments.
• Program portfolio. Design and deliver the programs across four pillars: technical enablement, commercial access, talent and challenges, and market intelligence, including an annual State of European Robotics report.
• External presence. Represent the initiative at industry events (speaking, moderating, partner meetings) and coordinate thought leadership and trade press with the leadership team.
• Team and operations. Hire and lead a small team as funding allows. Run the operating cadence, track partner deliverables, and manage the budget.

What We're Looking For

• Program leadership. You've run a multi-stakeholder deep tech program, partner network, or industry initiative end-to-end, ideally across more than one country, and secured partner funding or in-kind commitments for it. Typically 6 to 10 years of relevant experience.
• Player-coach. You've led a small or cross‑functional team and stay hands‑on in partner conversations, delivery, and events.
• Network across European robotics, industrial automation, and physical AI. From a robotics scale‑up, industrial automation company, component or software supplier, deep tech VC, research institution, or comparable initiative. Substantive reach in at least one major European robotics market; multi‑country reach is a plus.
• Commercial and technical literacy. You know how industrial corporates decide on sponsorship and partnership tiers, have negotiated partnership agreements, and can follow a substantive technical conversation across the robotics stack.
• Fluent in English and German. Working professional level, written and spoken. A third European language is a plus.

What We Value

• Drilling Deep. You dive into the technology, the founders, and the partners, not just the surface.
• a = F/m. Force over mass: find the bottleneck, find ways to unlock it, focus on what truly matters.
• Bar raisers. You optimize for founder outcomes, not partner vanity. Compounding daily.

What to Expect

• A front-row seat to breakthrough innovation in robotics and Physical AI from across Europe.
• Direct interaction with founders, investors, and industry leaders.
• A small, agile team where your contributions have immediate impact.
• Hybrid work with Munich as your home base. DACH and EU travel to partners and events.
• Lunchit, Wellpass, mobility allowance, MacBook, AirPods, mobile plan support, dedicated travel budget.
• Competitive base, performance bonus tied to network growth and value creation metrics.
• A strong mandate, direct backing from the leadership team, and a clear path into the Director role as the initiative scales.

Don't Apply If You Are

• a single-company operator without multi-stakeholder partner-network experience,
• a pure association or industry-body staffer or generic ecosystem builder,
• a consultant without operating experience and/or robotics depth, or
• a first-time program manager without exposure to industrial partners.

Next Steps

• We review applications on a rolling basis and aim to respond within 48 hours
• Initial video call with a member of the leadership team
• On-site interview in Munich including a program and partner case
• Final conversations with the team and offer decision

We aim to move quickly from first conversation to offer for the right candidate.