Commercial Associate (Physical AI)

Encord • San Francisco, CA

14d • Onsite

About The Position

At Encord, we're building the AI infrastructure of the future by solving one of the least glamorous, but most critical, problems in AI: data quality. For the vast majority of teams, preparing high-quality training data is the most costly and time-consuming part of bringing AI products to market, and it ultimately determines whether models succeed or fail.
As former computer scientists, physicists, and quants, we experienced this pain firsthand. AI today feels like the early days of the internet — huge potential, but immature tooling holding real progress back. That gap is why we started Encord.

We're now a 100+ person team operating at the cutting edge of computer vision and deep learning, backed by CRV, Y Combinator, and leaders like Luc Vincent (former VP of AI at Meta). We're one of the fastest-growing companies in the space and consistently rated by customers as the best tool on the market.

The role

This is not a traditional BDR role.

As a Commercial Associate on Encord's Physical AI team, you'll be an early commercial hire focused on one of the most exciting frontiers in AI: robotics, autonomous systems, and embodied intelligence. You'll help us engage the teams building the next generation of physical AI — from humanoid robots to autonomous vehicles to intelligent manufacturing systems.

You'll sit at the intersection of outbound strategy, customer discovery, and deal execution in a vertical where data quality isn't just important — it's mission-critical to safety, reliability, and real-world deployment. From day one, you'll be expected to think like a seller: prioritizing the right accounts, understanding the unique challenges of physical AI, and partnering closely with Account Executives to move real opportunities forward.

This role is designed to identify future sellers early. We optimize for trajectory over polish. High performers typically progress into closing, leadership, or specialist roles (Sales, Solutions, Growth) within 12–18 months, often sooner.

Requirements

• You're ambitious, curious, and want to build a commercial career at the cutting edge of AI
• You've consistently performed in the top percentile of what you've done — academically, professionally, or competitively
• You're motivated by ownership, learning, and long-term growth, not just title or short-term compensation
• You enjoy figuring out why something works, not just following a script
• You're comfortable operating with ambiguity and high expectations
• You can engage with technical concepts (computer vision, sensor fusion, ML ops) without losing sight of business outcomes
• You're genuinely excited about the physical AI space — robotics, autonomous systems, embodied intelligence
• You want to be part of building something — not just maintaining it
• 1–3 years of professional experience in a commercial, customer-facing, or high-performance role
• Exposure to outbound prospecting, pipeline generation, or client engagement is strongly preferred
• Strong written and verbal communication skills
• Evidence of discipline, resilience, and continuous improvement

Nice To Haves

• Interest in or exposure to robotics, autonomous systems, or physical AI is a plus but not required

Responsibilities

• Identify, research, and prioritize high-potential accounts building physical AI systems (robotics, autonomous vehicles, drones, manufacturing automation, etc.)
• Develop strong points of view on who to target and why — understanding the unique data challenges of physical AI deployment
• Execute thoughtful, multi-channel outbound (email, LinkedIn, calls, creative plays) tailored to technical teams working on embodied intelligence
• Craft messaging that resonates with robotics engineers, perception teams, and ML researchers
• Partner with Growth and Sales to test campaigns, refine targeting, and improve conversion in this emerging vertical
• Own outcomes, not just activity — quality opportunities matter more than volume
• Work directly with Account Executives to progress live opportunities
• Support discovery, demos, trials, and follow-ups with highly technical buyers
• Help shape business cases around deployment timelines, safety requirements, and regulatory considerations
• Ensure a high-quality, consistent prospect experience
• Learn how complex, technical B2B deals get done in the physical AI space

Benefits

• Competitive salary, commission, and meaningful equity in a high-growth startup
• Clear, accelerated growth opportunities as the company scales rapidly
• Strong in-person culture: 3–5 days/week in our newly launched North Beach loft office
• Flexible PTO to fully recharge
• 18 paid vacation days in the U.S. plus federal holidays
• Annual learning & development budget
• Comprehensive health, dental, and vision coverage
• Frequent travel opportunities across the U.S., London, and Europe
• Bi-annual company offsites, twice-weekly team lunches, and monthly socials

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: No Education Listed