Head of Robotics & Applied AI

At Instawork, our mission is to create meaningful economic opportunities for local businesses and skilled hourly professionals in communities around the world. We're building the leading AI-powered labor marketplace—and we're looking for exceptional talent to help us scale quickly and make an even greater impact. Backed by world-class investors like Benchmark, Spark Capital, Craft Ventures, Greylock, Y Combinator, and others, we’re transforming the way the world works.

Reporting to the Co-Founder and CEO, Instawork is seeking a Head ofRobotics & Applied AI . This is a unique opportunity to drive our strategy and operations in a rapidly evolving field, including thinking through how our growing network of 8M+ Pros in the “physical world” can help shape a successful future for robotics and LLM training. You will be responsible for cultivating both new and existing relationships, understanding partner data needs, and driving novel solution delivery to help Instawork become a labor leader in the robotics and AI ecosystem.

What You'll Do:

• Strategic Execution: Help define and implement Instawork’s strategy for the cultivation of AI training data overall, especially robotics and “physical AI” companies, adapting to evolving industry needs and opportunities.
• Thought Leadership: Represent Instawork externally as a leader in the robotics and AI space, fostering innovation and collaboration. Regularly present progress, insights, and recommendations to Instawork's executive leadership, helping shape the company’s growth strategy and long-term vision.
• Partnership Development: Build and grow relationships with top companies developing robotics and physical AI solutions.
• Market and Data Needs Analysis: Deeply understand partner data requirements and how Instawork can support them in collecting and enriching data to improve their AI models.
• Cross-Functional Leadership: Work closely with engineering, operations, and other internal teams to execute on partner data needs and deliver high-quality solutions that will drive AI advancement in the physical world.

Who You Are:

• Proven Relationship Builder: The ideal candidate has at least 2-4 years of experience in robotics and physical AI. Demonstrated ability to cultivate and manage partnerships with innovative robotics or large LLM makers.Familiarity with the robotics and AI ecosystem, including key players, trends, and challenges.
• Technical Curiosity: Comfortable engaging with technical teams and understanding data, AI, and robotics workflows. The ideal candidate has a strong technical background and previous experience working in robotics.
• Multi-disciplinary Executor: Experience working across engineering, operations, and other functions to deliver results and strong problem solving capabilities (experience working on operational challenges is a plus).
• Strategic Thinker: Ability to adapt strategy as the market and technology landscape evolves, helping Instawork remain at the cutting edge.

For CA based applicants:

• The base salary for this position is$200,000 - $300,000.
• This position is eligible for equity in the form of stock options.
• This position is eligible for Instawork benefits, including:
• A variety of medical, dental, and vision plans with coverage beginning on the date of hire
• Flexible paid time off
• At least 8 paid company holidays annually
• Home office stipend
• Phone stipend
• Commuter stipend
• Supplemental pay on qualified leaves
• Employee health savings accounts (HSA) contribution
• Flexible spending plans
• 401K plan
• Perkspot - discount program through Lumity

A variety of factors are considered when determining someone’s compensation including a candidate’s professional background, experience, and location. Final offer amounts may vary from the amounts listed above.

Instawork Values:

• Bias for Action -- We are a growing team and an evolving product. We want a team of do’ers to drive the company forward, even if it means making decisions with incomplete information or being wrong.
• Act Like an Owner -- Treat this company as though it is your own. Execute on the fundamentals, and act creatively to drive growth. Your ability to drive impact in any part of our company is only limited by your courage and conviction, not your job title.
• Always Be Learning -- We are changing an entire industry. We strive to learn from each other and get better each day, week, and month, so that our team’s learnings can compound and we can all improve, together.
• Empathy, Trust, Candor -- Empathy for our business partners and professionals means we put ourselves in their shoes. Empathy for our colleagues means we are always upfront and honest with each other, which comes from trust.

About Instawork

Founded in 2016, Instawork is the leading flexible work app for local, hourly professionals. Its digital marketplace connects thousands of businesses and more than seven million workers, filling a critical role in local economies. Instawork has been featured on CBS News, the Wall Street Journal, The Washington Post, Associated Press, and more. In 2025, Instawork was named the Workforce Hiring Solution of the Year by RetailTech Breakthrough. Instawork was ranked among the country’s top 10% of fastest-growing companies by Inc. 5000 in 2022 and 2023, and was included in the Forbes Next Billion Dollar Startup list. Instawork was also named the 2022 ACE Award recipient for “Best Innovation” and one of the “Best Business Apps” by Business Insider. Instawork helps businesses in the food & beverage, hospitality, and warehouse/logistics industries fill temporary and permanent job opportunities in more than 50 markets across the U.S. and Canada.

At Instawork, we constantly evaluate how to build an optimal work environment for success. We’re transitioning back to fully in the office five days a week, and as we continue to grow, we're seeking candidates who are excited about contributing to our in-person culture.

We value diversity on our team and firmly believe Instawork is stronger when we hire people who make their own unique contributions to our culture. We welcome all applicants and encourage candidates from underrepresented backgrounds to apply.

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