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CuspAI is an AI-driven materials discovery company using machine learning to accelerate the development of breakthrough materials for energy, semiconductors, clean water, and carbon capture. The company's founding team comprises world-class researchers in AI, chemistry, and engineering, and the company is positioned at the intersection of AI and materials science.
As Partnerships Manager, you will be one of the first business development hires tasked with building CuspAI's partnership pipeline with major US industrial R&D organizations. You will own the full partnership lifecycle—from identifying target accounts and opening conversations through negotiation and contract signature. Your responsibilities include:
**Pipeline Development:** Identify and outreach to R&D, materials, and chemicals teams at US industrial companies that can benefit from direct access to CuspAI's AI platform and data. Leverage your network and market knowledge to open doors in key innovation hubs including the Bay Area, Boston, Texas, and the Research Triangle.
**Partnership Closure & Growth:** Understand each prospect's materials challenges and translate them into compelling proposals in collaboration with CuspAI's scientists and Technical Program Managers. Negotiate commercial terms, close agreements, and expand initial engagements into lasting, multi-year relationships.
**Go-to-Market Strategy:** Help shape CuspAI's market positioning by identifying which customer types and sectors convert fastest. Bring market intelligence back to product, research, and leadership teams. Build processes, materials, and playbooks that will scale as the company grows. Represent CuspAI at industry events and conferences.
This is an early-stage, high-impact role in a massive market—materials science is a trillion-dollar problem, and most R&D organizations are only beginning to adopt AI. You will have significant influence over partnership strategy and go-to-market approach from day one.
**Requirements:**
- 8+ years in partnerships, business development, or sales roles selling to industrial R&D, materials, chemicals, or semiconductor organizations
- Demonstrated experience bringing digital R&D tools to scientific teams (e.g., materials informatics, lab data platforms like ELN/LIMS, simulation software)
- Track record of sourcing and closing B2B deals with multiple stakeholders and long sales cycles
- Established network among R&D and business leaders at US industrial companies
- Ability to explain AI and computational concepts clearly to both scientists and business leaders
- Comfort with ambiguity and drive to build structure from scratch in a fast-growing startup
- Willingness to travel regularly within the US and to Europe
**Bonus qualifications (not required):**
- Advanced degree in chemistry, materials science, physics, chemical engineering, or related field
- Experience at a company working in materials informatics, scientific software, or AI for R&D
- Experience building a market or commercial function from the ground up
