Operations Manager, RIVR

Job description

RIVR, part of Amazon is a robotics team pioneering Physical AI through real-world deployment and doorstep deliveries. Founded in 2024 as an ETH Zurich spin-off, RIVR developed wheeled-legged robots designed to operate in complex, unstructured environments such as stairs, gates, doors, and uneven urban terrain. We believe that achieving general physical intelligence requires solving real customer problems in the real world, where robots can learn by gathering rich operational data at scale.

RIVR is committed to building a diverse and inclusive team that values every perspective. If you’re passionate about driving innovation in robotics and creating meaningful impact, we encourage you to apply and bring your unique self to our team.

As a Operations Manager, you will be tasked to oversee our RIVR’s daily operations at our Zurich site and ensure our business runs smoothly and efficiently. Our ideal candidate will be a strong project manager with excellent problem-solving skills, a background in autonomous logistics (ideally with a focus on the last mile problem), a deep understanding of business processes, and a commitment to driving continuous improvement.

In terms of approach, we are looking for someone who wants to be hands on and work in a dynamic agile way to meet our ambitious goals for deployments and scaling. Finally, this role is crucial for optimizing our operational workflows, managing resources, and ensuring we meet our goals.

Key job responsibilities

Operational Process Optimization

help to design, implement, and monitor operational processes and procedures to maximize efficiency, safety, quality and throughput. Identify and address bottlenecks and areas for improvement in our flows both in the field and remote operations. Supporting testing and release validation processes in partnership with cross-functional teams. Ensure operational and testing spaces are organized including hands on managing the fleet of robots onsite.

Logistics

coordinate flows of robots and spare parts across business sites, including coordination with external shipping providers. Also, coordinate with the logistics needs of the R&D team at the Zurich site and operational teams elsewhere.

Resource Allocation

manage and allocate the Zurich site’s operational resources, including personnel, shifts/schedules, equipment, and materials, to ensure projects are completed on time and within budget.

Data Analysis & Reporting

Collect and analyze operational data to create reports for other internal RIVR stakeholders, providing insights and recommendations for strategic decisions.

Safety & Compliance

Ensure all operational activities comply with company policies, industry regulations, and safety standards.