Technical Sales Development Representative (SDR)

About this role

<div class="content-intro"><p><span style="font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">We are an innovative, Vancouver-based startup at the forefront of robotics, AI, and machine vision technologies. Backed by VC funding and we’ve been recognized with the 2025 Frost & Sullivan Technology Innovation Leadership Award, the AAM Supplier Excellence Innovation Award, and the 2024 BC Tech “Company of the Year – Growth”, we are on a mission to redefine the future of AI-driven robotic vision systems.  Apera AI helps manufacturers make their factories more flexible and productive. Robots enhanced with Apera’s software have 4D Vision – the ability to see and handle objects with human-like capability. Challenging applications such as bin picking, sorting, packaging, and assembly are now open to fast, precise, and reliable automation. Apera is led by an experienced team from high-growth companies focused on robotics, artificial intelligence, and advanced manufacturing.</span></p></div><p><strong><span data-contrast="auto">Role Summary:</span></strong><span data-ccp-props="{}"> </span></p> <p><span data-contrast="auto">The Technical Sales Development Representative plays a critical role in identifying and qualifying new automation opportunities within manufacturing environments. This role sits at the intersection of sales development and early technical discovery, helping connect manufacturers facing operational challenges with vision-guided robotics solutions.</span></p> <p><span data-contrast="auto">This role is based in Central or Eastern Europe and is specifically focused on supporting our European Union customers and Business Development Manager team. As such, <strong>fluency in German and English is required.</strong></span></p> <p><span data-contrast="auto">You will engage manufacturing leaders, operations managers, and automation engineers to understand their processes, identify automation opportunities, and determine whether those opportunities are worth deeper technical exploration with the Sales Team. Through a combination of structured outreach, discovery conversations, and early qualification, you will help generate high-quality opportunities that move into the technical sales pipeline.</span></p> <p><strong><span data-contrast="auto">What you’ll do</span></strong></p> <ul> <li><span data-contrast="auto">Build a steady cadence of qualified discovery meetings and plant walkthroughs for the Regional Sales Manager, Business Development Managers (BDMs) and Global Account Managers (GAMs) by identifying manufacturers with meaningful automation opportunities.</span></li> <li><span data-contrast="auto">Run multi-channel outreach sequences (phone, email, LinkedIn), continuously testing messaging and targeting based on conversion data and customer feedback.</span></li> <li><span data-contrast="auto">Book and host the first customer introduction call, where you will:</span> <ul> <li><span data-contrast="auto">Introduce Apera and its vision-guided robotics technology</span></li> <li><span data-contrast="auto">Understand the customer’s process and operational challenges</span></li> <li><span data-contrast="auto">Ask structured discovery questions about automation needs</span></li> <li><span data-contrast="auto">Identify whether the opportunity is worth deeper technical exploration.</span><span data-ccp-props="{}"> </span></li> </ul> </li> <li><span data-contrast="auto">Conduct early technical discovery conversations with manufacturing and operations leaders, gathering key details such as:</span> <ul> <li><span data-contrast="auto">Current picking or handling process</span></li> <li><span data-contrast="auto">Product variation and complexity</span></li> <li><span data-contrast="auto">Facility environment</span></li> <li><span data-contrast="auto">Existing automation</span></li> <li><span data-contrast="auto">Potential constraints</span></li> </ul> </li> <li><span data-contrast="auto">Evaluate whether the opportunity represents a strong technical and business fit for Apera before routing it to the Sales Team.</span></li> <li><span data-contrast="auto">Prepare a clear opportunity brief for the Regional Sales Manager or BDM including:</span> <ul> <li><span data-contrast="auto">Customer context</span></li> <li><span data-contrast="auto">Operational challenge</span></li> <li><span data-contrast="auto">Early feasibility indicators</span></li> <li><span data-contrast="auto">Stakeholders involved</span></li> <li><span data-contrast="auto">Next steps</span></li> </ul> </li> <li><span data-contrast="auto">Partner with the Sales Team on account-based prospecting, identifying plants, facilities, and key stakeholders within target manufacturing…