Business Development Lead – Industrial & Data Center Pilots; HVAC Robotics

Overview

Business Development Lead – Industrial & Data Center Pilots (HVAC Robotics).

Location:

Texas-based (Houston preferred; Dallas–Fort Worth acceptable). Type:
Fractional to start (part-time), with option to convert to full-time. Time Commitment: ~15–25 hours/week.

Compensation:
Fractional: $50–$80/hour;
Full-time (later): $90k–120k base + upside;
Equity:
Available for the right long-term fit.

We are building an inspection-first humanoid robotics platform focused on HVAC systems, mechanical rooms, and industrial facilities, starting with data centers and expanding into broader industrial environments. This role is about securing and shaping pilot programs, not selling finished products. You will work directly with the founder to identify suitable facilities, conduct discovery conversations, define realistic pilot scopes, and secure pilot commitments (paid pilots, POs, or LOIs).

The role may occasionally support exploratory conversations related to a health screening product; however, HVAC robotics pilots are the primary focus.

• Identify and engage potential pilot partners across Texas, including HVAC-intensive sites
• Conduct discovery conversations with facilities managers and maintenance/reliability heads
• Help define inspection-focused pilot scopes, such as visual and thermal inspections, HVAC and mechanical monitoring, and documentation/reporting
• Clearly communicate the capabilities and limitations of early-stage robotics
• Secure pilot commitments (paid pilots, POs, or signed LOIs)
• Use modern tools, including LLMs (e.g., ChatGPT), to draft concise pilot summaries and prepare lightweight proposals and LOI drafts
• Coordinate closely with the founder on scope, sequencing, and pricing decisions

• Not marketing or lead generation

You likely have:

• 8–15+ years experience in facilities management, industrial operations, HVAC services, energy or utilities
• Experience working with pilots, proofs-of-concept, or early-stage initiatives
• Comfort operating in ambiguous, early-stage environments
• Strong listening, synthesis, and written communication skills
• Willingness to travel locally within Texas as needed

Note:

Robotics expertise is not required. Comfort using AI/LLM tools to accelerate analysis and documentation is a strong plus.

• 2–3 well-scoped pilot commitments
• Clear understanding of where robotics delivers real operational ROI
• Strong reference relationships with facilities and operations leaders
• Actionable product feedback based on real-world pilot discussions

• Work on a practical, emerging robotics application with real operators
• Direct collaboration with a repeat founder
• Shape pilots and use cases from the ground up
• Texas is a target-rich environment for this work
• Opportunity to expand scope as pilots succeed

Please include:

• A brief summary of your background
• Examples of pilots, POCs, or early-stage initiatives you’ve worked on
• Your preferred working model (fractional vs full-time)

Shortlisted candidates may be asked to complete a short written exercise focused on pilot scoping and synthesis.

• Seniority level:
  Mid-Senior level
• Employment type:
  
  Contract
• Job function:
  Business Development and Sales
• Industries:
  Software Development