Primary is the largest early-stage venture firm in the world, with $1B in assets under management, investing in pre-seed and seed-stage startups. The firm’s Incubation arm, Primary Labs, launched in 2019 to support the ideation, research and launch of new startups. Primary’s first three incubated companies will return its first fund many times over, and Primary is now primed for substantial growth in its Incubation efforts. Check out our blog post, “What Invention and Incubation have in Common” to learn more about Primary’s incubation philosophy.
About the Role
Primary Labs is looking for an Operator-In-Residence (OIR) to join its Incubation program with a focus on Vertical AI opportunities in Industrials. This role is based in NYC with a requirement to be in office 3+ days a week.
Now is a uniquely exciting time to build a vertical AI company in Industrials. Legacy sectors like oil & gas, manufacturing, and energy are sitting on massive, underutilized datasets—just as AI tooling has matured enough to unlock real value from them. With increasing pressure to modernize, decarbonize, and overcome workforce shortages, industrial operators are actively seeking domain-specific AI solutions that can drive efficiency and resilience. The opportunity lies in combining cutting-edge AI with deep industry context to build high-impact, defensible businesses in markets that are finally ready for transformation.
The right person for this role is someone who has experience performing research and analysis on industrial industries (oil & gas, physical infrastructure, manufacturing, energy, etc.), in order to gain a full understanding of the landscape. Ideally this person is commercially minded and already has a depth of knowledge on incumbents and newer entrants to the space. They should have a passion for researching and identifying new opportunities within this evolving space. They should feel comfortable talking to technical operators, but they themselves do not need to be technical. Above all, they must believe that there is a unique opportunity to build numerous multi-billion-dollar vertical AI businesses.
What You'll Do
Support Primary’s idea generation and vetting process
Conduct intensive market analysis, competitive landscaping and customer research through cold outbound and network building
Develop business models, product roadmaps, and go-to-market strategies for the most promising startup ideas
Create pitch decks and other investor materials
Assist Primary’s Executive Recruiters in building out the founding team of the company
Option to join the company in its launch phase as a founding team member OR go back to the drawing board with the Incubation program and do it all over again
About You
Self-starter & Entrepreneurial: You move fast and have an intrinsic drive to build. You're energized by ambiguity and thrive in 0→1 environments, independently advancing ideas with limited structure.
Strategic & Insightful: You don’t just summarize research—you generate unique insights and turn ambiguity into clear action. You can quickly revise hypotheses, act on feedback, and drive toward outcomes.
Commercially-Minded: You're fluent in financial and strategic thinking, able to evaluate business models, market dynamics, and scalability with precision.
Network-Builder: You're confident and proactive in developing relationships from the ground up with academics, founders, and industry leaders.
Storyteller & Communicator: You learn quickly, develop sharp points of view, and craft compelling narratives to influence internal and external stakeholders.
Outcome Obsessed: You prioritize impact over motion, always keeping your eye on meaningful results.
Naturally Adaptive: You move fluidly between analytical, strategic, and tactical modes, embracing iteration and fast learning.
Learning Machine: You’re a high-slope learner who’s constantly absorbing new information and sharpening your thinking.
Killer Operator: You’re action-oriented, hungry, resourceful, and unafraid—able to make things happen even in uncharted territory.
Close the Loop: You take ownership at every level—following through on details while pushing big ideas forward.
Professional Experience: 4+ years of experience in consulting or startups, with a focus on product development in industrials
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