Overview As Head of Product you lead the development of our robotics platform from idea to field validation and commercial success. You'll be the central link between customers, engineers, and internal teams, ensuring that every product we build is robust, relevant, and tested in the real world. Taking full ownership of the product lifecycle, you'll gather insights, shape requirements, define the roadmap, and oversee field validation. Equally important, you'll build the foundation for scale: growing the product team, refining processes, and embedding customer feedback into everything we do. You report directly to the CEO and are responsible for product strategy, delivery, and team growth.
Responsibilities Take full ownership of product definition - from performance specs to functional behavior
Define product goals that balance technical excellence and economic viability
Translate customer needs and field insights into clear, validated product requirements
Guide the engineering team to deliver solutions that reflect the product vision and validated requirements
Lead execution from concept to field validation and release
Drive on-time, on-budget delivery through clear priorities and effective coordination
Define and implement validation and test plans to guarantee quality and performance
Integrate structured feedback loops between field experience and development
Establish scalable processes and documentation to support speed and clarity
Your profile You have a strong technical foundation; ideally a Master\'s or PhD in Robotics, Mechatronics, or another relevant engineering discipline
You bring at least 7 years' experience in product management, systems engineering, or technical leadership in robotics, automation, or similar fields
Familiarity with CE and UL certification processes is a valuable asset
You're driven by customer success and real-world performance. Above all you're pragmatic, proactive, and attentive to detail – also hands-on and experienced in writing specs, managing requirements, and coordinating roadmaps
You're an excellent communicator who turns complexity into clarity and action. You lead with structure and calm — bringing alignment and trust across diverse teams
Fluent in English; Dutch is a strong plus
Our offer A central, hands-on leadership role in a fast-growing robotics company with global ambition
The opportunity to define and deliver next-generation robotic solutions for greenhouse automation
A dynamic, supportive team culture where initiative and follow-through matter
Competitive compensation and ample growing opportunities
Flexible work setup, with base at headquarters in Leuven (BE), and possibilities to work at the other sites in Breda (NL) and Asten (NL)
Octiva is a fast-growing robotics company on a mission to help growers succeed through smart automation. Our advanced robotic systems are designed for high-performance operation in controlled environments, combining technical precision with real-world reliability. We work closely with growers, engineers, and researchers to deliver meaningful innovation that transforms agricultural efficiency and sustainability. We're expanding internationally and building a team of driven, collaborative professionals who want to make a real impact - not just on product performance, but on the lives and success of our customers.
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