AI Fellow | Robotics and Advanced Manufacturing

Title: AI Fellow | Robotics and Advanced Manufacturing Location: New York City / hybrid

About C10 Labs

C10 Labs is an AI-native venture studio and early-stage investment firm that builds and backs applied AI companies. Headquartered in Kendall Square in Cambridge, Massachusetts, C10 partners with founders to identify high-impact opportunities, validate new ventures, and launch scalable companies. C10 provides founders with early capital, technical and operational support, industry expertise, customer and pilot connections, mentorship, and access to a broader network of investors and strategic partners.

About AI Nexus NYC

C10 Labs was selected by the New York City Economic Development Corporation (NYCEDC) to help operate AI Nexus NYC, a citywide initiative designed to accelerate AI innovation, company creation, and adoption across New York City’s economy. Through the AI Nexus NYC venture studio, C10 brings together founders, startups, industry partners, investors, researchers, mentors, and technical experts to build and deploy applied AI solutions addressing real-world challenges. The platform supports founders through venture creation, company-building programs, industry partnerships, pilot opportunities, mentorship, technical resources, and access to capital. The goal is to help founders move from promising ideas and emerging technologies to validated, scalable, and venture-backed companies while strengthening New York City’s applied AI ecosystem.

About the Role

C10 Labs is seeking an AI Fellow with experience or a strong interest in robotics, industrial systems, and advanced manufacturing to support the AI Nexus NYC venture studio. The Fellow will work with founders and the C10 Labs team to evaluate new venture opportunities, research industry challenges, support product and market validation, and help early-stage companies identify potential customers, partners, and pilot opportunities. This is a hands-on opportunity for someone interested in working at the intersection of artificial intelligence, robotics, manufacturing, and venture creation.

• Research emerging opportunities in robotics, automation, manufacturing, and industrial AI.
• Identify operational challenges that could be addressed through AI-enabled products.
• Conduct market research, competitive analysis, and customer discovery.
• Evaluate startups, founders, technologies, and potential venture concepts.
• Identify manufacturers, industrial companies, and other prospective pilot partners.
• Map target customers, decision-makers, research institutions, investors, and strategic partners.
• Support founders with product positioning, pilot development, and commercialization.
• Help prepare company profiles, research briefs, presentations, and investor materials.
• Participate in founder meetings, mentor sessions, and program activities.
• Track project milestones, findings, and recommended next steps.

What We Are Looking For

• Current graduate student, recent graduate, researcher, operator, or industry professional.
• Experience or academic exposure in robotics, engineering, manufacturing, computer science, AI, or a related field.
• Understanding of AI, machine learning, computer vision, automation, or data-driven systems.
• Strong research, analysis, and communication skills.
• Ability to translate technical concepts into practical business applications.
• Interest in startups, venture creation, and early-stage company building.
• Ability to work independently in an ambiguous and fast-moving environment.

Relevant experience may include:

• Robotics and autonomous systems
• Computer vision
• Industrial automation
• Advanced manufacturing
• Supply chain and logistics
• Digital twins
• Predictive maintenance
• Quality control and inspection
• Human-machine collaboration
• Industrial data infrastructure

This is a flexible, project-based fellowship supporting AI Nexus NYC and its participating founders and companies. Fellows may work with one or more ventures depending on their backgrounds, interests, and program priorities. Some activities may take place in person in New York City, with additional work completed remotely.

Success in the Role

Success will be measured by the quality of research and analysis produced, the value delivered to founders, the identification of relevant customers and pilot partners, and the Fellow’s ability to help teams move from early concepts toward validated commercial opportunities.