Program Manager, AlphaLab Gear / Robotics Factory Accelerate - Innovation Works, Inc.

Program Manager, AlphaLab Gear / Robotics Factory Accelerate

The Program Manager, AlphaLab Gear & Robotics Factory Accelerate, leads the execution of the region's most impactful early-stage accelerator program for hardware, robotics, and manufacturing startups. This role is responsible for managing the AlphaLab Gear and Robotics Factory tracks within AlphaLab, focusing on supporting founders as they navigate the earliest and most challenging stages of bringing a hardware or robotics company to life.

The Program Manager serves as the primary point of contact for the AlphaLab Gear and Robotics Factory Accelerate tracks within AlphaLab, representing it to founders, mentors, and the wider hardware and robotics ecosystem. This individual oversees day-to-day operations, leads the application and selection process, and works hands-on with early-stage entrepreneurs tackling complex engineering, manufacturing, and market-entry challenges.

This is a highly visible and mission-driven role, ideal for someone with firsthand founder experienceor deep experience working with early-stage hardware and robotics startupswho is passionate about guiding entrepreneurs through the ambiguity, constraints, and opportunities of starting a company from scratch. It's a role that benefits from a strong product management mindset, as managing an accelerator is much like managing a product : understanding customer needs, prioritizing features, and delivering outcomes.

Primary Responsibilities

Program Leadership & Operations

• Lead the AlphaLab Gear / Robotics Factory Accelerate application and selection process, including recruitment, application review, interviews, and final selection.
• Design and run a compelling, founder-focused program tailored to hardware, robotics, and manufacturing startups, covering customer discovery, engineering milestones, manufacturing pathways, supply chain planning, early product development, and fundraising.
• Serve as the primary point of contact for all participating companies, conducting bi-weekly 1 : 1 meetings and providing hands-on tactical support across a range of hardware and robotics challenges.
• Drive the execution of program milestones and ensure the completion of key deliverables such as founder surveys, site visits, and state or stakeholder reporting.

Partner & Ecosystem Engagement

Internal Collaboration

Qualifications and Requirements

Preferred Qualifications

Innovation Works is committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all employees and job applicants. We do not tolerate discrimination or harassment of any kind. We value individual dignity, respect the rights of every person, and uphold a workplace environment built on fairness, personal responsibility, and equal opportunity for all.