Careers at aPriori

aPriori is changing the way the world's manufacturing companies manage product costs. Our solutions integrate advanced computational geometry techniques and advanced manufacturing research into a rich user experience accessible to everyone in the enterprise that impacts how much a product will cost to produce.

We bring together an experienced management team, exciting technology and a challenging entrepreneurial culture. We are a young startup in an emerging market with huge opportunity for stellar candidates. We are in need of bright, independent thinkers who can learn and contribute across a wide variety of areas.

We are always looking for talented and motivated individuals to join our team. aPriori offers a challenging and fun work environment, competitive salaries, medical plans and stock options. If you are ready for an exciting opportunity to be a part of a world class team, then forward your resume to careers@apriori.com.

Senior Product Manager

Location:  Concord, MA, USA

Description:

The Product Management team is looking to hire bright, independent thinkers who can learn and contribute across the wide spectrum of issues important to our products and who are excited about participating in strategic discussions one day and rolling up their sleeves to work with developers on tactical product issues the next. The key areas of competence are experience in enterprise software product management and knowledge of the discrete manufacturing domain.   Areas of product focus for this role include:

• Extending the solution to track and analyze costs for large scale projects that cross cut multiple disciplines and provide visibility into project cost status
• Defining data mart, reporting and dashboard solution
• Defining our systems integration strategy and solution requirements
• Defining our requirements for system performance, database scalability, security/permissions and other enterprise needs

Responsibilities:

• Collect requirements through market study, customer engagement, and internal research.
• Plan product roadmap and detailed content for each release.
• Write product requirements and participate in cross functional team for developing new functionality.
• Work with technical support and QA to triage product issues.
• Manage technology partnerships and other business development relationships.
• Support marketing and presales activities, including activities such as leading customer webinars, giving demos, positioning the product and developing marketing and sales collateral
• Support professional services activities, including training consultants on new capabilities, advising on best practices for deployment and assisting with consulting and implementation work as required.

Required Skills

We're considering candidates with a range of experience levels and backgrounds.  The ideal candidate would have some combination of the following:

• Experience in deployment or product management for CAD, PLM or ERP systems
• Experience defining and bringing to market a reporting module for an enterprise software product
• Expertise in software product management for commercial software products. Experience building successful new software products either in other startup environments or in innovative segments of larger businesses
• Experience or academic background and expertise in one or more relevant areas of large-scale discrete manufacturing: mechanical design, manufacturing, procurement, supply chain management, or cost management.
• Sufficient technical competence to quickly learn about all aspects of the domain.

Product Manager

Location:  Concord, MA, USA

Description:

A cornerstone to our growth is expanding the aPriori costing models/logic and supporting datasets, referred to as the aPriori Baselines. Customers are looking for aPriori to be an authority on cost and provide industry leading content (cost models and data) to support their costing management needs. The Product Manager responsible for aPriori Baselines will focus on and own these modules in our solution offering and work closely with Cost Modeling, Development, Professional Services, Marketing and Sales to define, build, market and deploy them. This role will work on all areas of the solution from strategic planning to semi-annual updates, including market research, roadmap planning, product specification, partner engagement, updating & validating data and supporting marketing, sales and professional services. Success in this role will require a hands-on, practical approach that marries defining the future and an actionable plan that builds upon and improves our current product.

Responsibilities:

• Developing a roadmap to make the aPriori Baselines more robust with an eye towards creating a more broadly applicable, explainable and repeatable approach. For example expanding regional data (e.g., material pricing, machines, machine parameters, labor and OH rates etc.) and industry specific data (material compositions, machines, processes, common practices etc.)
• Creating a product that is can be configured further by customers with minimal to moderate effort. Developing tools to assist Professional Services and Customers in maintaining their deployment specific cost models and data (Virtual Factories, VPEs)
• Creating a process to capture the rich set of data that we receive from customers and prospects including parts, calibration data (quotes, cycle time estimates etc.) and customer databases and mine this data for insights to drive product direction
• Partnering with Professional Services and Cost Modeling to customer configurations back into the out-of-the-box product
• Managing the ROI to ensure we are creating a profitable solution offering
• Evaluating make, buy, or partner opportunities for data and managing partnerships where data is licensed
• Finding suppliers and manufacturers who are willing to provide input into our R&D and validation processes
• Becoming the internal champion for the aPriori Baselines, and helping teams across the organization understand and effectively use the aPriori Baselines

Required Skills:

We're considering candidates with a range of experience levels and backgrounds. The ideal candidate’s background would include experience in 2 or more of the following categories:

• Sourcing, supply management or strategic sourcing or cost management
• Generating quotes manufacturing company or supplier
• Manufacturing planning
• Product cost estimating or cost model design and development
• Mechanical, manufacturing or industrial engineering
• CAD / CAM
• Software product management for commercial software. Experience building successful new software products either in other startup environments or in innovative segments of larger businesses is a plus.
• Sufficient technical competence to quickly learn about all aspects of the domain.

Senior Geometry Developer

Location:  Concord, MA

Description:

We are looking for a strong developer with 5+ years of experience in computational geometry to join our small, but eclectic engineering team. The job is based at our headquarters in Concord, MA. The most important characteristic other than the specific technical expertise that we are looking for is the ability to write readable and highly maintainable code.

The role will involve the design, development and maintenance/enhancements of mathematical algorithms that analyze 3D solid models in order to identify features that contribute to manufacturing costs – e.g. holes, forms, bends, etc.

Required Background and Abilities:

Education: Minimum BS in Computer Science or Mathematics with a background in software engineering, algorithms, data structures and computational geometry.

Skills: Development of mathematical algorithms for analyzing 3D models. Knowledge of discrete manufacturing is a plus. Good communication skills.

Specific Technologies which would be applicable: Working knowledge of Java or ability to quickly learn it. 3D modeling packages (e.g. ACIS or Parasolid). Basic knowledge of C/C++.

Relevant Tools: Eclipse, JUnit, MS Visual Studio (C++)

Sales Director

Location:  Recruiting for Multiple Locations in NA & EMEA

Job Description:

• Responsible for selling aPriori’s software products and maintaining relationships with existing accounts
• Responsible for achieving assigned sales goals for customers in a defined geographic territory or account list
• Prospects and develops new business and develops proposals for presentation to prospective customers.
• Coordinates resources from marketing, professional services, engineering and product management to facilitate obtaining new business

Required Skills and Experience:

• College Degree
• Expertise in software sales with at least 5+ years experience
• Strong track record in sales at other organizations
• Demonstrates high potential and track record of upward mobility
• Strong team player with stellar communication skills and sales drive

Inside Sales Representative

Fast growing Enterprise Software Company located twenty minutes outside of Boston is looking for self- motived, energetic entry level Inside Sales Representatives. Position offers outstanding benefits package and extremely competitive base salary along with a generous performance based commission structure.

Location:  Concord, MA

Job Description
aPriori is looking for a confident and motivated individual to join our sales and marketing team as Inside Sales Representative. Key responsibilities for this position will include:

• Proactively generate leads and opportunities through cold calling and prospect follow up
• Makes outbound calls to qualify marketing leads and in support of marketing programs and campaigns (i.e. direct mail and events)
• Communicate the value proposition for aPriori products to decision makers
• Assist sales management team by managing the first steps in the sales pipeline
• Collaborate with the outside sales team regularly to ensure success
• Create and maintain client records utilizing Salesforce.com to ensure an accurate history of client contact is available
  

Required Knowledge/Skills:

• 1-2 years inside sales experience or less only
• Bachelor’s degree required
• Ability to identify, qualify, and prioritize prospects
• Track record of achieving lead generation goals and objectives preferred
• Ability to speak with individuals of all levels inside and outside the organization
• Experience with salesforce.com or like contact management system preferred
• Strong attention to detail and the ability to juggle multiple tasks simultaneously

Client Engagement Manager

Location:  Positions are available for North America, United Kingdom, and Germany

Job Description:
The aPriori Client Engagement Manager is responsible for day-to-day management of client engagement services and solution implementations. They provide project management, business consulting, and process change assessment during the implementation and deployment of aPriori’s software. A key role of the Client Engagement Manager is to foster customer loyalty by ensuring that our customers can fully utilize the value of our solutions and services. The outcome of success in this role is the continuing renewal of customers’ existing software subscription and the identification of expansion opportunities for additional software and services.

The Client Engagement Manager determines the plan and project tasks necessary to deliver the scope of engagement services to meet the customer’s needs; schedules and aligns resources with tasks and priorities, coordinates interaction and activities with the customer and other stakeholders and keeps the project team focused on-time, on-budget to deliver a high-quality solution. The Client Engagement Manager then manages the activities needed to help the customer apply the solution to generate business value and tracks that value to justify future software renewals and business expansion.

The Client Engagement Manager builds relationships with the customer’s executive sponsor along to the customer’s project team to develop an understanding of their business needs, and then works with aPriori Services personnel to develop and implement solutions to meet those needs. This role also includes a high level of communicating to the customer the plans, activities, and results of the engagement.

Key Responsibilities:

• Management of multiple customer solution implementation projects simultaneously (which might necessitate the management of multiple project teams)
• Responsible for implementations from kick-off meeting to end of project
• Capture and communication of executive vision and goals for the initial deployment and beyond
• Identification of planned software use cases and projects, standard software usage procedures, customer business process change needs, and customer value generation activities and results tracking
• Development of detailed project plans, work breakdown structures, and budget tracking documents and ensuring that they are maintained and adhered to throughout the lifecycle of each project
• Coordinate and facilitate all integration and configuration of software based on customer business needs
• Coordinate and facilitate all training efforts needed for the implementation
• Coordinate and facilitate consulting activities needed for the implementation
• Coordinate, facilitate, summarize and report on all value implementation / value generation activities.
• Development references and case studies internal to customer
• Communication of status throughout the project lifecycle to all stakeholders
• Manage and build relationship with executive sponsor and project team members
• Management of multiple customer solution implementation projects simultaneously (which might necessitate the management of multiple project teams)

Requirements

• Must have minimum 5 years experience implementing enterprise-wide, B2B software such as ERP, PLM, or CRM enterprise software systems
• 10+ yrs. experience and demonstrated success in project managing multiple, complex business application / software implementations with external clients
• Experience managing customer relationships and technical projects
• Comfort interacting with customer executives, project team members, and individuals
• Experience and demonstrated success in managing business process change in a consulting role
• Demonstrated ability to assess customer needs, develop project scope to meet those needs, plan all necessary project tasks to satisfy customer needs, and ensure they are properly and realistically, budgeted, monitored and reported
• Experience creating, facilitating, and presenting reports to senior-level client stakeholders
• Ability to lead and facilitate project meetings and senior level customer meetings
• Demonstrated success leading project teams with a record of high customer satisfaction
• Demonstrated ability to identify risks that may impact the success of the project and determine appropriate mitigating actions
• Extremely strong written and oral communication skills
• Willingness to travel up to 60% of the time
• Preferably engineering background or engineering/manufacturing domain knowledge
• BS degree in Engineering, Computer Science, Business Management or MBA

Senior Technical Consultant

Location:  Concord, MA

Job Description:

• Plays a key role member in the implementation of the aPriori cost management platform for our customers.
• Works with customers to define, plan, and manage the customer’s overall deployment.
• Creates a deployment plan and the actual technical project management and execution, including solution configuration, user training, and usage mentoring.
• Directs and mentors less senior members of the team in execution of deliverables, while still being accountable for the overall deployment.
• Uses technical expertise of aPriori’s software to align aPriori’s software and service offerings to a customer’s cost management and effectively handle technical project management and execution.
• Supports aPriori solution configuration, which requires the modeling of manufacturing facilities, including capabilities, rules, and accounting rates as well as the ability to understand a customer’s design and manufacturing environment and map those requirements to formulas and rules using aPriori’s scripting language.
• Provides support to Sales team during sales process in the delivery of aPriori service programs which allow prospects to confirm the financial and strategic value that aPriori can bring them prior to engaging in a full solution rollout.

Qualifications:

• BS or MS in Mechanical, Industrial, Manufacturing, or Software Engineering.
  4-8 years experience in an engineering discipline (either permanent or combined with internship)
• Excellent consultative communication skills. Must be comfortable presenting to client groups including executive-level participants by phone or in person.
• Ability to manage multiple concurrent projects and deliverables of less senior and/or offshore resources for a project.
• Proven critical thinker, results-driven, have a positive attitude, and be a team player.
• Experience with a basic scripting and CAD is a plus.

Implementation Engineer

Location:  Concord, MA

Job Description:

• Plays an integral role in the implementation of the aPriori cost management platform for our customers
• Building and demonstrating expertise on aPriori software and service offerings, Manufacturing Cost Models and Solutions (VPE) Configuration (tools, procedures, tips/tricks)
• providing technical expertise on how to align aPriori’s software and service offerings to a customer’s cost management
• handling technical project management and execution, including solution configuration, user training, and usage mentoring.
• Supports aPriori solution configuration, which requires the modeling of manufacturing facilities, including capabilities, rules, and accounting rates as well as the ability to understand a customer’s design and manufacturing environment and map those requirements to formulas and rules using aPriori’s scripting language.
• Provides support to Sales team during sales process in the delivery of aPriori service programs which allow prospects to confirm the financial and strategic value that aPriori can bring them prior to engaging in a full solution rollout.

Education and Skill Requirements:

• BS or MS in Mechanical, Industrial, Manufacturing, or Software Engineering.
• 1-3 years experience in an engineering discipline (either permanent or combined with internship)
• Excellent communication and facilitation skills. Must be comfortable presenting to clients in-person and by phone.
• Strong organization skills and the ability to balance multiple activities with limited supervision.
• Project management skills, including project planning, risk management, status updates.
• Proven critical thinker and team player who is results-driven and has a positive attitude
• Experience with a basic scripting language and CAD a plus

Implementation Engineer – Configuration and Tools

Location: Concord, MA

Job Description
aPriori is changing the way the world's manufacturing companies manage product costs. Our solutions integrate advanced computational geometry techniques and advanced manufacturing research into a rich user experience accessible to everyone in the enterprise that impacts how much a product will cost to produce. aPriori is a quickly growing venture backed company that provides its employees with unique career growth opportunities making a noticeable impact on the company.

An Implementation Engineer is a key member in the implementation of the aPriori cost management platform at a customer. They provide technical expertise on how to align aPriori’s software and service offerings to a customer’s cost management needs.

aPriori solution configuration requires the modeling of manufacturing facilities, including capabilities, rules, and accounting rates. Solution configuration requires the ability to understand a customer’s design and manufacturing environment and map those requirements to formulas and rules using aPriori’s scripting language.

Key Responsibilities

• Building and demonstrating expertise on aPriori software and service offerings, Manufacturing Cost Models and Solutions (VPE) Configuration (tools, procedures, tips/tricks)
• Deliver configured Virtual Production Environments critical to customer success by supporting aPriori solution configuration, which requires the modeling of manufacturing facilities, including capabilities, rules, and accounting rates using aPriori’s scripting language
• Lead factory data gathering sessions in-person and via phone
• Train and mentor customer end users on aPriori use
• Train customer VPE administrators on the maintenance of VPEs
• Develop tools to enhance team productivity such as data load templates and tools, data management and integration techniques, and deployment tools for Services deliverables
• Develop maintenance plans with customers to ensure VPEs are kept up-to-date
• Advocate for additional requirements that are necessary or helpful for customers to successfully gain value from aPriori, and work with Product Management to influence future releases.

Qualifications

• BS or MS in Computer Science/Engineering or Software Engineering
• 0-3 years experience in an engineering discipline (either permanent or combined with internship)
• Experience with scripting (Java, JavaScript) required; XML, VB/VBA, Pearl a plus
• Database and/or data management and manipulation a plus
• Excellent communication skills. Must be comfortable communicating with clients by phone
• Strong organization skills and the ability to balance multiple activities with limited supervision
• Proven critical thinker and team player who is results-driven and has a positive attitude
• Basic understanding of manufacturing processes
• The ideal candidate would thrive in an environment where they have the opportunity to join a company on the ground floor and be part of the core team to drive success with early customers and refine our implementation approach and tools.
• Experience working in a manufacturing area a plus
• BS or MS in Computer Science/Engineering or Software Engineering

Deployment & Support Engineer

Location

United Kingdom, Germany, or the Netherlands

Job Description

aPriori is seeking a Deployment and Support Engineer to deploy the aPriori Cost Management Solution and support existing and prospective customers with all aspects of its use. The ideal candidate will have a combination of IT and manufacturing or mechanical engineering experience, as well as the ability to work independently. Primary responsibilities include:

Technical Deployments

• Work with customers to install and upgrade aPriori software and third party database management systems
• Troubleshoot installation issues

Customer Support

• Manage and respond to incoming customer support questions and issues, seeing them through to closure
• Work with customers and internal resources to research, replicate, diagnose and resolve customer issues.
  

Required Qualifications

• BS in Computer Science, Engineering or related field, or equivalent work experience
• At least 2 years of related professional experience
• Ability to work independently
• Ability to travel 10% of the time
• Strong written and oral communication skills
• Strong problem solving skills
• Pro-active, organized, and detail-oriented
• Fluent in English
• Strong understanding of Windows XP, Windows 7, Windows Server - Linux and/or Unix a plus
• Familiarity with database management systems (MySQL and Oracle preferred)
  

Desired Qualifications

• Fluent in German or French
• Familiarity with a variety of general manufacturing processes
• Experience deploying desktop and/or enterprise software solutions
• Experience with one or more CAD systems
• Hands-on experience managing databases and writing SQL queries
• General knowledge of XML
• Experience with Active Directory or other LDAP implementations
• Familiarity with programming languages and/or batch scripting