About Us

Upside Robotics is on a mission to make farming more sustainable and efficient using "physical AI." We build autonomous, solar-powered robots that navigate cornfields to apply fertilizer with surgical precision—think of them as "Roombas for cornfields."

By delivering nutrients directly to the root exactly when the plant needs them, we help farmers reduce fertilizer waste by up to 70%, cut costs by $150 per acre, and significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions. With a $7.5M Seed round recently closed and a waitlist of over 200 farms, we are moving from "prototype" to "production." We are an "agronomy-first" company that uses robotics as a tool to solve one of the world's biggest environmental and economic challenges.

What we're looking for

Upside Robotics is scaling fast, and we’re looking for a Manufacturing Lead who thrives at the intersection of planning, precision, and people. This role is all about building reliable production systems while staying nimble enough to adapt when robotics R&D inevitably throws curveballs. You’ll keep schedules tight, workflows smooth, and the team energized - even when timelines shift or priorities change.

Responsibilities

• Own production planning end‑to‑end Build and maintain detailed production schedules, capacity plans, and resource forecasts that keep hardware moving from prototype to deployment without bottlenecks.
• Manage change with confidence and clarity When engineering updates, supply chain surprises, or customer needs shift, you’ll re‑plan quickly and communicate changes in a way that keeps everyone aligned and calm.
• Drive on‑time delivery Track progress daily, identify risks early, and implement corrective actions to ensure production milestones are consistently met.
• Support and uplift the production team Foster a positive, collaborative environment where technicians and assemblers feel supported, informed, and proud of their work. You’ll be the person who keeps morale high even during crunch periods.
• Optimize processes and workflows Introduce structure, documentation, and continuous improvement practices that make production more predictable, scalable, and efficient.
• Coordinate cross‑functional communication Work closely with engineering, supply chain, and operations to ensure production requirements are understood, materials are available, and blockers are removed quickly.
• Maintain quality and safety standards Ensure every build meets Upside Robotics’ quality expectations and that the team follows safe, consistent procedures.

Qualifications

• Experience managing production or manufacturing operations, ideally in hardware, robotics, or a fast‑moving tech environment.
• A planning mindset—someone who loves structure, documentation, and clarity.
• The ability to stay steady and positive when plans change (because they will).
• Strong communication skills and a leadership style that makes people feel supported, not pressured.
• Comfort working with tight schedules and ambitious targets.
• A continuous improvement mentality—always looking for ways to make things smoother, faster, and more predictable.