CTO (AI/Robotics)
This pivotal role offers you the opportunity to architect scalable robotics infrastructure, advance proprietary AI capabilities, and establish a robust tele-operations backbone that will redefine operational performance across retail, logistics, and commercial environments. You will be at the forefront of Southeast Asia’s automation revolution, driving sustainable revenue streams through Robotics-as-a-Service, AI licensing, and tele-operations optimisation.
CTO (AI/Robotics)
A leading innovator in intelligent robotics and automation is seeking a Chief Technology Officer specialising in Artificial Intelligence and Robotics to spearhead the transformation of their end-to-end platform strategy. This pivotal role offers you the opportunity to architect scalable robotics infrastructure, advance proprietary AI capabilities, and establish a robust tele-operations backbone that will redefine operational performance across retail, logistics, and commercial environments. You will be at the forefront of Southeast Asia’s automation revolution, driving sustainable revenue streams through Robotics-as-a-Service, AI licensing, and tele-operations optimisation. The organisation is committed to real-world deployment, ensuring seamless integration with existing systems and preparing businesses for tomorrow’s automation demands. With a focus on collaboration, integrity, and excellence, this role provides flexible working opportunities within a purpose-driven environment where your expertise will make a meaningful impact.
- Lead the definition and execution of an end-to-end robotics and AI platform strategy that transforms operational workflows for partners and industries ready to scale.
- Drive the development of scalable robotics deployment infrastructure, proprietary AI capabilities, and a data-centric Retail AI Brain to deliver practical solutions beyond prototypes.
- Enjoy flexible working opportunities in a supportive environment that values teamwork, continuous improvement, high standards in delivery, and transparency.
What you'll do:
You will drive lifecycle optimisation aligned with recurring revenue models such as Robotics-as-a-Service while building robust tele-operations infrastructure capable of supporting large-scale fleets over modern networks. By implementing centralised monitoring platforms with real-time analytics dashboards, you will provide operational visibility that reduces human intervention. Your expertise in cybersecurity will protect vital systems and data assets. Additionally, you will own the entire robotics data pipeline—developing datasets for SKU recognition and shelf intelligence—and define strategies for monetising these assets. Leading the development of a proprietary Retail AI Brain as a core IP asset will be central to your mission. Success in this role requires close collaboration with business leaders to align technology initiatives with commercial objectives while representing the organisation in industry engagements.
- Architect and oversee the full technology stack for robotics across multiple platforms, ensuring modularity and scalability tailored for structured indoor environments.
- Design hardware abstraction layers to minimise dependency on original equipment manufacturers while improving flexibility for future deployments.
- Standardise deployment frameworks to accelerate rollout timelines and optimise cost efficiency across various business units.
- Ensure compliance with safety regulations, industry standards, and best practices in robotics engineering throughout all stages of development.
- Drive lifecycle optimisation strategies aligned with Robotics-as-a-Service business models to maximise operational value.
- Build and scale robust tele-operations architecture including low-latency control systems over 4G/5G networks for seamless fleet management.
- Implement centralised fleet monitoring platforms with real-time analytics dashboards to enhance operational visibility and reduce reliance on human intervention.
- Establish cybersecurity frameworks to safeguard systems, data integrity, and infrastructure against evolving threats.
- Own the end-to-end robotics data pipeline and MLOps ecosystem by developing SKU recognition datasets and analytics capabilities for human-robot interaction insights.
- Define multi-year AI strategies spanning perception, cognition, autonomy; lead development of proprietary Retail AI Brain as core intellectual property asset.
What you bring:
Your extensive experience as Chief Technology Officer Artificial Intelligence and Robotics will be instrumental in driving transformative change within the organisation. You bring deep academic credentials backed by a Master’s or PhD in relevant fields along with more than a decade spent navigating complex robotics or deep-tech landscapes. Your proven ability to scale real-world deployments ensures practical solutions are delivered efficiently from concept through production. You possess comprehensive knowledge of key frameworks such as ROS/ROS2 combined with advanced skills in computer vision autonomous systems integration. Your expertise extends to designing Edge AI solutions leveraging major cloud platforms while maintaining rigorous MLOps pipelines for ongoing model enhancement. Distributed systems architecture is second nature to you—enabling real-time processing telemetry at scale—and your familiarity with networking protocols IoT integration ensures seamless connectivity across fleets. Cybersecurity best practices underpin your approach safeguarding critical assets against emerging threats. Building large-scale data platforms deploying impactful AI models is part of your repertoire; your exceptional leadership fosters collaborative high-performing teams committed to shared success. Strategic thinking allows you to balance innovation speed operational excellence proactively managing risks technical debt reliability.
- Master’s or PhD in Robotics, Artificial Intelligence, Computer Science or related field demonstrating deep academic grounding in advanced technologies.
- Minimum ten to fifteen years’ experience in robotics or deep-tech environments with at least five years in senior leadership roles managing cross-functional teams.
- Proven track record scaling real-world robotics deployments and AI-driven platforms from concept through production.
- Comprehensive knowledge of robotics frameworks such as ROS/ROS2, SLAM algorithms, computer vision techniques, autonomous systems integration.
- Strong experience designing Edge AI solutions alongside cloud platforms like AWS, GCP or Azure; expertise in MLOps pipelines for continuous model improvement.
- Expertise in distributed systems architecture including real-time data processing and telemetry infrastructures supporting large-scale operations.
- Familiarity with networking protocols (4G/5G), IoT system integration, cybersecurity best practices ensuring robust protection of digital assets.
- Experience building large-scale data platforms; deploying AI models into production environments with measurable impact on business outcomes.
- Exceptional leadership capability demonstrated by building high-performing engineering teams focused on collaboration and shared success.
- Strategic mindset balancing innovation speed with operational excellence; ability to proactively manage scalability risks technical debt reliability.
What sets this company apart:
The organisation stands out as a pioneer in bringing intelligent robotics out of research labs into productive use across retail logistics commercial sectors throughout Southeast Asia. Their commitment to delivering practical scalable automation solutions means every project is designed for seamless integration within existing workflows—empowering businesses to innovate without disruption. Focused on real-world deployment rather than theoretical prototypes they offer partners integrators industries ready-to-scale access to cutting-edge technology that drives operational performance prepares them for tomorrow’s demands. The company culture emphasises collaboration teamwork continuous improvement high standards transparency accountability—all underpinned by flexible working opportunities generous support structures training pathways enabling personal professional growth within a purpose-driven environment where every contribution makes meaningful impact.
What's next:
If you are ready to shape the future of intelligent automation through collaborative leadership apply now—your expertise could be the catalyst for Southeast Asia’s next wave of innovation!
Apply today by clicking on the link provided—don’t miss your chance to join an organisation redefining what’s possible in AI robotics.
Do note that we will only be in touch if your application is shortlisted.
Agensi Pekerjaan Robert Walters Sdn Bhd
Business Registration Number : 729828-T
Licence Number : JTKSM 423C
About the job
Contract Type: Perm
Specialism: Tech & Transformation
Focus: Digital Transformation
Industry: IT
Salary: Negotiable
Workplace Type: On-site
Experience Level: Director
Location: Kuala Lumpur
FULL_TIMEJob Reference: 5C75KK-4E78945C
Date posted: 20 May 2026
Consultant: FlorieMae Salazar
kuala-lumpur tech-transformation/digital-transformation 2026-05-20 2026-07-19 it Kuala Lumpur MY Robert Walters https://www.robertwalters.com.my https://www.robertwalters.com.my/content/dam/robert-walters/global/images/logos/web-logos/square-logo.png true