Industrial AI Forward Deployed Strategist

Team CultureGreat things happen when people can bring their authentic selves to work. We empower all of our employees to share their perspectives, passions and experiences because collectively we make a better, stronger team. Our team members collaborate closely with peers & cross functional stakeholders throughout the business, our clients on the forefront of digital transformation, and the cutting edge of digital manufacturing thought leadership.We take pride in our self-starter culture where employees are enabled and encouraged to achieve their professional goals through leadership guidance, learning and development. Our philosophy is that careers are continuous journeys, and we dedicate time and offer resources so that employees can reach their full potential.Benefits + PerksWe value you at and outside of work and know your loved ones are important. Our benefits are designed to support you and your family’s health through life’s expected and unexpected events.Our Benefits IncludeCompetitive Salary + Stock OptionsHealth Care Coverage + Life Insurance + Health Savings Account + Flexible SpendingAccount (includes spouse + children)Flexible Vacation PolicyAdaptable Working Schedule and EnvironmentOur Perks Include:Casual Dress AttireHybrid work flexibilityCatered Lunches, Snacks and BeveragesCommuter Savings ProgramCompany OutingsDesignated Volunteering Hours + Group Volunteer EventsSight Machine is proud to be an equal opportunity employer and considers candidates regardless of age, color, ancestry, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, citizenship, marital status, disability, gender identity or Veteran status. Sight Machine also considers qualified applicants regardless of criminal histories, consistent with legal requirements.About Sight Machine, Inc.Sight Machine strengthens manufacturers by providing the industry’s only standard data model and system-level visualization capabilities. By integrating all crucial data into a single innovative platform, everyone involved in the fabrication process can visualize, contextualize and examine data in one intuitive interface.Sight Machine is committed and mission-driven to improve lives, strengthen communities and make the world cleaner through continuously re-envisioning manufacturing processes - making them more efficient, sustainable and absolute. Founded in Michigan in 2011 and expanded to San Francisco in 2012, Sight Machine blends the spirit of technology innovation and the down to earth style of Detroit manufacturing. Our team includes early leadership from Yahoo, Tesla Motors and Oracle. Together, we share wide industry knowledge and a commitment to advance manufacturing to a more sustainable future.At Sight Machine, you will work with manufacturing leaders in the automotive, medical device, apparel, construction, and pharmaceutical industries. You will have access to, and work with massive amounts of factory floor data to help uncover insights on how customers make products and develop solutions to pressing business problems. The platform solves problems like Extract Transform Load (ETL), information retrieval, data aggregation and analytics, factory automation, distributed computing, and security.We place great value on professional, technical, and personal growth in an inclusive, collaborative environment. The ideal candidate will have a passion for technology and a strong can-do attitude.About The Industrial AI Forward Deployed Strategist RoleAs an Industrial AI Forward Deployed Strategist, you will lead the strategic transformation of manufacturing enterprises through Sight Machine's category-defining Manufacturing Data Platform. You will be the product manager and strategic architect for complex client engagements, defining use cases, orchestrating delivery, and ensuring AI-enabled solutions drive measurable business outcomes for some of the world's most iconic manufacturers and technology providers, including industry leaders like Microsoft, Siemens, and Databricks. If you have deep manufacturing domain expertise, strategic business acumen, and the ability to translate complex operational challenges into AI-powered solutions, this position offers the opportunity to drive game-changing digital transformation at enterprise scale while working at the forefront of Industrial AI innovation.Why Join Sight Machine's Services TeamOur team is a hungry, humble, smart group of outcomes leaders, data scientists, data architects and engineers, software developers, and customer engagement managers who collaborate to solve some of the most complex challenges facing our manufacturing customers. We are laser-focused on trusting and empowering each other, solving today's problems (while knowing tomorrow will bring a few more), and getting a little better every day.Our Team-Based Delivery ModelAt Sight Machine, we deploy customer engagements through integrated three-person teams, each bringing complementary expertise to drive transformation: Account Lead — Owns the strategic "why," ensuring executive alignment and focusing the team on delivering enterprise-scale business outcomes Industrial AI Forward Deployed Strategist (you) — Serves as product manager and strategic architect, defining the "what" should be built based on deep business context, manufacturing expertise, and AI/ML strategic application Forward Deployed Engineer (FDE) — Ensures the "how," coordinating technical delivery and maintaining accountability for technical executionAs the Industrial AI Forward Deployed Strategist, you serve as the connective tissue between business strategy and technical execution. You work in close partnership with the Account Lead to maintain strategic vision while providing the Forward Deployed Engineer with clear business context and priorities. The FDE depends on you to define what needs to be built and why; you depend on the FDE to validate technical feasibility and coordinate delivery. Success requires sophisticated stakeholder management, deep industry knowledge, and the ability to bridge executive strategy with operational implementation across all three roles.What You'll DoStrategic Leadership & Business Architecture:Own deep understanding of manufacturing operations, industry dynamics, competitive landscape, and client strategic objectivesDefine and prioritize use cases based on business value, feasibility, and strategic alignment with enterprise transformation goalsLead persona development and journey mapping to ensure solutions address real operational challenges and user needsMaintain long-term strategic vision for client relationships, identifying expansion opportunities and ensuring scalable solution designTranslate complex manufacturing challenges into AI-enabled solution strategies that deliver measurable ROIGuide clients through digital transformation journeys, managing change at organizational, process, and technology levelsExecutive Stakeholder ManagementBuild trusted advisor relationships with C-suite executives, plant leadership, and operational stakeholders across complex manufacturing organizationsNavigate multi-layered organizational dynamics, managing competing priorities and political considerations across operations, IT/OT, data science, and business intelligence functionsFacilitate executive alignment on transformation priorities, success metrics, and investment decisionsCommunicate strategic vision, progress updates, and business value realization to senior leadership with clarity and impactManage escalations and resolve business/political issues that could derail deliveryProject & Delivery OrchestrationOrchestrate complex project delivery across multiple parallel workstreams, ensuring coordination, visibility, and timely executionManage project boards, tracking systems, and reporting rhythms that maintain transparency across all stakeholdersLead status meetings, facilitate decision-making, and maintain project momentum through proactive issue resolutionEnsure nothing falls through the cracks by maintaining comprehensive oversight of dependencies and deliverablesWork with Forward Deployed Engineers to translate business requirements into technical specifications and validate feasibilityArbitrate scope and priority decisions, making strategic trade-offs based on business value and resource constraintsSolution Design & User ExperienceDesign user-centric AI-powered workflows and applications that address operational gaps and drive adoptionIterate rapidly with end users to validate solutions match actual needs, workflows, and deliver measurable valueBridge the gap between what users need and what gets built, ensuring solutions align with strategic intent and use case prioritiesWork with the Product team to scale developed solutions and contribute to platform capability evolutionMaintain focus on user adoption and value realization, measuring success through business outcomes rather than technical deliverablesIndustrial AI & Analytics StrategyApply deep understanding of AI/ML capabilities to manufacturing use cases, identifying high-impact opportunities for predictive analytics, optimization, and intelligent automationCollaborate with data science teams to design advanced analytics that solve real manufacturing problemsCommunicate AI/ML concepts and value propositions to non-technical stakeholders, building confidence and driving adoptionStay current on Industrial AI trends, emerging technologies, and best practices, bringing thought leadership to client engagementsThis position requires up to 40% domestic and international travel to client business and factory sites to facilitate workshops, conduct stakeholder meetings, walk factory floors, and lead on-site strategic sessions. The frequency of travel will vary depending on the client.Qualifications7-10 years of professional experience with significant time in manufacturing operations, industrial technology, or management consulting focused on manufacturingDeep domain expertise in manufacturing processes, operations management, and manufacturing technology ecosystemsProven ability to manage complex stakeholder relationships at executive levels within global manufacturing organizationsStrong strategic thinking and business analysis skills with demonstrated ability to translate operational challenges into solution strategiesExceptional communication skills with ability to influence across technical and non-technical audiencesExperience orchestrating complex multi-workstream projects with strong organizational and prioritization capabilitiesUnderstanding of AI/ML applications in industrial contexts and ability to articulate value propositions to business stakeholdersTrack record of driving business transformation through technology enablementAlso Helpful, But Not RequiredHands-on experience with data platforms, analytics tools, or Industrial IoT technologiesBackground in data science, industrial engineering, or operations researchExperience with digital transformation initiatives at enterprise scaleFamiliarity with Azure-based data platforms and cloud infrastructureMBA or advanced degree in engineering, operations, or related fieldPrior consulting experience with top-tier strategy or technology firmsThe Pay Range For This Role Is150,000 - 200,000 USD per year(Hybrid (San Francisco, California, US))