Technical Operations Manager – Robotics Lab

Location: Paris / in office 3-4 days/week

About the Role

We're looking for a proactive, hands-on Technical Operations Manager to oversee and structure the day-to-day operations of a growing robotics lab in Paris.

You'll own equipment management, procurement, logistics, facilities coordination, and operational processes, ensuring the lab runs efficiently as the team scales. Beyond managing daily activities, you'll establish systems and processes, identify operational improvements, and help plan potential expansion or relocation to a larger facility.

This role is ideal for someone with experience in hardware operations, R&D labs, technical facilities, or other equipment-intensive environments who enjoys building structure in a fast-moving environment.

What You'll Do

Lab Operations & Process Improvement

• Manage daily lab operations, ensuring equipment, workstations, and shared spaces remain organized, functional, and ready for use.
• Establish and improve operational processes, documentation, inventory tracking, and asset management systems.
• Coordinate equipment maintenance, repairs, replacements, and lifecycle management.
• Identify operational bottlenecks and implement scalable processes to support a growing team.

Procurement, Logistics & Facilities

• Manage equipment sourcing, procurement, vendor relationships, and purchasing records.
• Coordinate domestic and international shipping, receiving, returns, and customs clearance, including required documentation.
• Oversee stock levels, deliveries, storage, and equipment tracking.
• Coordinate facilities operations, including building access, utilities, safety, workspace organization, and external service providers.

Space Planning & Expansion

• Assess current lab space utilization and recommend improvements to layouts and equipment configurations.
• Coordinate lab reconfigurations and setup of new robotics testing or data collection environments.
• Help define requirements and operational plans for a potential relocation or expansion to a larger facility.
• Coordinate vendors, timelines, equipment moves, and logistics associated with facility changes.

What We're Looking For

• 5+ years of experience in lab operations, hardware operations, technical facilities management, or a related operational role.
• Proven ability to establish processes, implement operational systems, and bring structure to growing teams.
• Hands-on experience with procurement, inventory management, equipment logistics, and vendor coordination.
• Experience with shipping, receiving, international logistics, and customs documentation or clearance procedures.
• Strong organizational and project coordination skills, with the ability to independently manage multiple priorities.
• Comfortable working onsite in Paris 3–4 days per week.
• Effective communication skills and the ability to collaborate with technical teams, vendors, and external partners.

Nice to Have

• Experience in robotics, hardware startups, engineering labs, or R&D environments.
• Experience planning or coordinating facility expansions, relocations, or lab buildouts.
• Familiarity with asset management, inventory, and procurement software.
• Experience managing specialized technical equipment and coordinating maintenance with engineering teams.
• Familiarity with French and EU shipping, import/export, and customs processes.