Meet Path: The Humans and Robots Building the Future of Manufacturing
At Path Robotics, we’re not just solving a manufacturing challenge. We’re solving a recruiting problem.
Unlike many automation-focused tech companies, our AI technology is designed to combat the labor shortage, rather than replace jobs. Industries such as welding are grappling with a workforce crisis, with the average age of welders being 57 and retirement on the horizon. The American Welding Society predicts there aren’t enough people to fill the 400,000 welding jobs that will be open in 2024.
Our dedication to addressing this challenge for the manufacturing industry has shaped our company’s culture, which emphasizes our most precious resource: our team. Guided by our core values, represented by the acronym PATH — Persistence, Adaptability, Transparency, and Humility — we’ve cultivated an environment that celebrates innovation, teamwork, and the remarkable achievements of our diverse team.
We truly believe that our people are our competitive edge. This is what gets me excited about working here, so I sat down with three people from our team to chat all about life at Path Robotics, and why they’re so excited to be a part of this journey, too.
Meet Angie, Madhavun, and Josiah
Values Driven Culture
Distinguishing ourselves from other tech startups, we work with a physical product — the robots. This keeps us rooted in our Columbus, Ohio office and fosters a culture of in person collaboration and ideation. Whether watching our robotic welding cells in action on the floor or playing ping pong with coworkers in our lunch room, you can feel the energy of our dynamic atmosphere.
“It was apparent this was someplace special. We’re pioneering groundbreaking work backed by the right team to achieve it,” reflects Angie. “This energy is incredibly inspiring.”
Every team member embodies an unwavering commitment to our product, demonstrating the essence of our core values.
Persistence entails taking on unprecedented challenges head-on. The joy lies in conquering the complex, and no one backs down. Our strong work ethic fuels a unified and committed team.
Adaptability here is paramount, especially given that we are at the forefront of the most cutting edge technology. Out team is constantly navigating uncertainties, adapting on the fly, and embracing feedback as we evolve and learn. Madhavun says “While we boast specialists here, everyone is eager to expand their horizons and learn new skills. A true spirit of curiosity and a high tolerance for making mistakes by taking risks and learning from them permeates through us.”
Transparency is ingrained in our team to ensure everyone is aligned and set up for success. We have monthly, company-wide All Hands meetings which include a Q&A for employees to ask the CEO and executive team anything. We believe in using clarity as a strategy and work to make sure information and updates are shared in real time.
Humility at Path means that nothing is someone else’s problem, and everyone pitches in. While we have a lot of smart and accomplished talent, our team is the nucleus of our success. “We’ve become a really tight-knit community. We’re laser focused on a common goal, and there’s a strong support system in place,” says Josiah. Countless instances highlight teams assisting each other, regardless of hierarchy, role, or function.
To further emphasize the significance of our company values, the entire organization nominates colleagues for quarterly Path Impact Awards corresponding to each value.
The Robots
With 200,000 square feet teeming with robots, technology takes center stage. We’re building the future of manufacturing, right in the heart of the manufacturing region.
“This, to me, is what sets us apart. Few companies are working in this space, at the fusion of robotics, hardware, and software. Plus, we work with 3D computer vision, diverging from the 2D cameras and software typically embraced by AI companies, “ Madhavun shares.
For Josiah, it’s exhilarating to see the code he writes enable the robot to operate in real time. “All the engineers get to be very hands-on with the robots, and the work that we’re doing, even on the software side, directly enables the robots to weld. The end result of our work everyday is that our robots are able to perform their function more efficiently and with less human input.”
The Growth
Path has grown significantly over the last 18 months across employee headcount, the facility expansion, venture capital investment, and revenue. While that alone is extremely exciting and motivating for the whole team, it’s our culture of learning and camaraderie that truly defines us.
Our employee engagement survey highlights our focus on professional growth as a key strength. Given the technical breadth of our product, our employees get a lot of exposure to different skills they didn’t have experience with prior to joining. “I’m learning every day from people at the top of robotics, computer vision, machine learning, and hardware design fields. The level of access that we have to specialized knowledge and skills is really valuable” shares Josiah.
Regular lunch-and-learns and company-wide “Ask Me Anything” sessions nourish ongoing learning. The team has also gained insights into the venture-backed startup landscape- a unique perspective, given every employee has stock options in Path.
Most notably, while you don’t have to know how to weld to work at Path, we do offer Welding School for anyone who wants to learn!
“You really can shape your experience here at Path. You can engage with anyone, pick someone’s brain and learn. It’s like a ‘choose your own adventure’ story,” says Angie. “It’s also culturally a safe space to bring your authentic self. There are happy hours and hang outs, and even beyond work friendships flourish. It’s a strong community, and there’s a lot of opportunity for growth both professionally and personally.”
Our focus is on setting our team up for success and maximizing their impact. We’re still a small team (just slightly over 200 strong), so each contribution directly influences our product, customers, and company.
“The palpable impact is impossible to ignore,” Madhavun emphasizes. “Progress unfolds daily, and you can see the effects immediately. It’s not a matter of years, but days.”
Join Path Robotics
I wouldn’t be a good recruiter if there wasn’t a shameless hiring plug. If this sounds like the right company for you, check out our open roles and apply today. We can’t wait to meet you.
