Venture Specialist/Lead for a global automotive company in Mountain View, CA

Source, evaluate, and execute strategic venture investments as a Venture Specialist for a global automotive company, with a focus on the U.S. West Coast startup ecosystem. Experience level: 3–6 years preferred; candidates with 7-10 years will be considered based on relevant industry and technical expertise.

• Key Responsibilities Investment Sourcing & Diligence: Identify and evaluate startups through VC/CVC networks, founder relationships, accelerators, and venture platforms. Assess technology, market potential, business models, teams, and strategic fit; develop investment recommendations.
• Strategic Partnerships: Connect startups with internal business units to facilitate pilots, proofs of concept (POCs), and strategic collaborations; manage communications and reporting.
• Ecosystem Engagement: Build relationships with investors, founders, and ecosystem partners, primarily on the West Coast. Attend 5–10 industry events per quarter, with active participation in at least two through panels, judging, or reverse pitching.
• Portfolio Support: As assigned, serve as a board observer, support joint development agreements (JDAs), joint research agreements (JRAs), and other partnerships, and manage accelerator relationships.
• Internal Reporting: Deliver weekly presentations on investment opportunities, diligence findings, and partnership progress.

Target Industry Verticals

• Experience across multiple areas is a plus:Sustainability: Energy innovation, electrification, new fuels, resource circulation, carbon neutrality.
• Mobility: Land, air, sea, and space.
• Robotics & AI: Transportation, telepresence, automation, applied AI.
• Manufacturing: Industrial automation, embedded AI, advanced materials, synthesis technologies.
• Emerging Technology: Quantum technology, superconductors, next-generation computing.
• Qualifications & Core CompetenciesRelevant Experience: Hands-on experience in corporate venture capital (CVC) or corporate open innovation (COI), including investment sourcing, evaluation, or startup-corporate engagements. Automotive CVC experience is preferred; financial VC experience without a corporate component is insufficient on its own.
• Education: Bachelor’s degree in engineering or a physical/life science (e.g., chemistry, physics, biology, biomedical science, or materials science). Business- or finance-only degrees do not qualify.
• Technical & Commercial Acumen: Strong understanding of venture investing, startups, and corporate innovation, with the ability to assess technical products, market potential, and strategic fit.
• Communication & Execution: Analytical, organized, and reliable, with strong relationship-building, presentation, and cross-cultural communication skills, particularly with Japan-based stakeholders. Must exercise discretion with confidential information.
• Location & Network: Based in or willing to relocate to the San Francisco Bay Area, with an established West Coast startup and venture network.
• Employment Stability: Demonstrated employment stability; frequent short-tenure roles may be disqualifying.
• Travel & Onsite Requirements: Willing to travel frequently primarily within the U.S. and Canada, with occasional trips to Japan, and work onsite approximately four days per week.
• Preferred Qualifications Secondary network strength outside the Bay Area (e.g., East Coast).
• Track record developing investment theses, building founder relationships, and advancing deals.
• Experience supporting portfolio companies, strategic partnerships, or accelerator programs.
• Familiarity with Japanese business culture.

Location: Role requires onsite presence four (4) days per week in Mountain View, CA. Attendance at external conferences or industry events may count toward onsite requirements.

Type: 6-month contract with potential of conversion based on assessed performance

Compensation: $65.0/hr - $71.00/hr (DOE)

• There is opportunity based on experience assessed to be classified as a Venture lead at $79.00/hr - $86.00/hr