[US AI computer vision startup] Applications Manager

An exceptional opportunity has arisen for an Applications Manager to join a rapidly expanding organisation at the forefront of AI-driven manufacturing solutions in China. This role is perfect for someone who thrives in high-tempo environments and is passionate about delivering tangible value to customers while driving operational excellence. As the Applications Manager, you will lead a talented team of applications engineers and technicians, overseeing end-to-end deployments that transform production lines and deliver measurable results. You will be instrumental in building scalable processes, ensuring seamless project execution, and fostering strong relationships with both internal teams and external stakeholders. With direct influence over revenue generation and product evolution, this position offers unparalleled career growth, exposure to cutting-edge technology, and the chance to work alongside a knowledgeable global team. Flexible working opportunities and a supportive leadership environment make this a truly unique role for those seeking to make a significant impact in the manufacturing sector.

What you'll do:

As an Applications Manager based in China, you will play a pivotal role in transforming how advanced AI inspection systems are deployed within leading manufacturing facilities. Your day-to-day activities will involve orchestrating multiple concurrent projects across diverse locations—ensuring every deployment meets rigorous standards for stability and customer satisfaction. You will guide your team through each phase of the deployment lifecycle: from initial planning through hands-on implementation to final handover. By developing repeatable processes and fostering open communication channels between customers and internal teams alike, you will help create an environment where predictable outcomes are the norm rather than the exception. Your ability to build trust with clients while driving urgency around key milestones will be essential for accelerating adoption rates. Additionally, your insights from real-world challenges will directly shape future product enhancements—making this role ideal for someone eager not only to execute but also to innovate within one of manufacturing’s fastest-growing sectors.

• Oversee the delivery of complex technical deployments across various manufacturing sites, managing schedules, staffing requirements, readiness assessments, execution plans, and post-deployment stabilisation.
• Drive each deployment from initial contract signing through to stable system operation in production environments, ensuring all acceptance criteria are met and human inspectors are successfully replaced by automated solutions.
• Develop comprehensive playbooks and standard operating procedures that streamline time-to-production while empowering customers to become increasingly self-sufficient with new technologies.
• Recruit, train, and nurture a high-calibre team of applications engineers and technicians distributed across different regions, fostering a culture of collaboration, dependability, and shared success.
• Establish robust standards for daily operations including escalation protocols, documentation practices, quality benchmarks, and regular performance reviews to maintain consistent excellence.
• Coach your team to remain calm under pressure during critical production phases by providing guidance on effective problem-solving strategies and responsive support mechanisms.
• Act as the primary point of contact for customer stakeholders at all levels—from factory floor personnel to executive management—ensuring clear communication of project scope, progress updates, and issue resolution.
• Manage project scope professionally by protecting key outcomes against scope creep while maintaining positive relationships with all parties involved.
• Create operational infrastructure such as onboarding frameworks, training modules, commissioning templates, project dashboards, post-mortem analyses, and feedback loops that enable scalable deployment processes.
• Gather actionable feedback from field operations to inform product development priorities; collaborate with global engineering teams to implement improvements that reduce friction in future deployments.