About Cogent
Cogent Labs, an AI startup based in Tokyo, has been at the forefront of AI innovation for a decade since 2014. Our journey has been marked by rapid growth and cutting-edge technological advancements, making us a prime destination for ambitious professionals seeking to make a real world impact in solving a wide range of business problems.
Our flagship product, SmartRead, has revolutionized document processing with its advanced AI based automated document processing capabilities. Building on this success, we're expanding our portfolio with SmartFind, which uses conversational interface like Chat GPT, and workflow automation tools in 2025. What sets us apart is our commitment in developing in-house, cutting-edge AI technology including proprietary large document models.
At Cogent Labs, we foster a culture of ownership and teamwork like a professional sports team. We are a meritocratic, results-driven team, looking for a self-starter and highly motivated individuals who thrive on challenges in a closely collaborating team environment.
While our engineering team faces exciting technical challenges everyday, the team maintains exceptionally high standards for each other, creating a supportive environment that encourages knowledge sharing and collaborative learning and work. Also, if you're ambitious, you'll have plenty of opportunities to propose new ideas, own them and lead projects at any level.
Job Summary
We are launching a new Product Management team reporting directly to the CTO and seek an experienced Senior Product Manager. This pivotal role involves translating our cutting-edge AI technology into successful B2B SaaS products, bridging the gap between deep technical development and strategic business goals. You will leverage your technical understanding (especially in AI), B2B market knowledge, and language (Japanese / English) fluency to drive product innovation and success.
Responsibilities
- Define & Drive Product Strategy : Own the product vision, strategy, and roadmap, translating technical possibilities and market insights into clear business value.
- Lead Product Development : Guide the end-to-end product lifecycle in close collaboration with R&D engineers, ensuring alignment with strategic objectives from concept through launch and iteration.
- Bridge R&D and Business : Act as the key interface between technical teams, business stakeholders (Sales, Marketing, Leadership), customers, and strategic partners.
- Champion Product Success : Utilize research, data, and stakeholder input to make informed product decisions, manage priorities, and ensure successful product outcomes.
- Gather Customer & Market Insights : Actively engage with current and potential customers through interviews, usability testing, and observational sessions to deeply understand their needs, workflows, and market expectations, ensuring product direction is grounded in user reality.
Required skills
5+ years of Product Management experience, ideally with B2B SaaS products.Essential : Business level Japanese and English (written and spoken).Proven ability to understand complex technical concepts and effectively connect them to business strategy and market needs.Demonstrated success working directly with R&D / engineering teams.Strong strategic thinking, leadership, communication, and cross-functional collaboration skills.Bachelor's degree in a relevant field (technical or business preferred).Good to have : Experience with AI / ML, document processing, workflow automationWhy Join Cogent Labs
Directly influence product strategy and technology direction, reporting to the CTO.Play a foundational role in a new, high-impact team.Join an innovative tech company in a dynamic environment.Competitive compensation and benefits package.Team culture
The Cogent Labs engineering department is continuously working towards developing a culture improving and rewarding the following qualities :
Team effort : A cohesive team can be more effective than an isolated prodigy. Engineers are expected to work well in groups and look for opportunities to empower their colleagues.Ownership : Take full responsibility for your own projects and tasks and if needed, cross over boundaries in order to successfully deliver your project.Self-improvement : Create an environment where engineers can focus on their engineering tasks and self-improvement without excessive outside disturbances.Experimentation : Engineers should have some freedom in experimenting with new ideas and technologies, as this ultimately could translate into building better products or the creation of valuable new IP.Quality & Excellence : Maintaining a mindset of developing high quality features and code. We avoid cutting corners as much as possible.Customer Service : Being customer focused, not only externally but internally as well. This means developing services that not only improve the experience of our end customers, but also being ‘customer service' oriented within your team and the company as a whole by helping out others and sharing knowledge.The ideal candidate
Can empathize Cogent Labs' VISION and MISSION.Is a team player who aims for higher goals.Has integrity and humility, and shows respect and gratitude to others.Prefers open and transparent communication.Has a strong growth mindset.Can receive feedback positively and provide constructive feedback to others.What we offer
Competitive Salary - Based on skills and experiencePerformance bonus eligibility twice a yearStock OptionBenefits
Visa SponsorshipFree in-office breakfast, coffee, tea, drinks and snacksSubsidized language trainingSubsidized gym membershipMonthly commute expenseJapanese Social Security - all applicable (Health Insurance, Pension, employment insurance etc.)DC (Definitive Contribution) pension planMaternity leave, childcare leave (including male employees)Yearly health checkupPaid Holiday - Maximum 20 days per year (additional Congratulatory, Bereavement leaves available)Working Conditions
Employment Type : Full-time employeeWork Location : Minato-ku, Tokyo (change not expected)Scope of Work : Work as specified by the companyEmployment Period : Permanent (not fixed term)Probation Period : 3 monthsSalaryAnnual salary (Total Target Cash Compensation) : 8.0 million yen to 11.5 million yen
Details : Monthly salary : 583,335 yen to 833,335 yen
Base salary 431,600 yen + fixed overtime pay [for 45 hours] 151,735 yen
Base salary 541,456 yen + fixed overtime allowance [for 45 hours] 190,356 yen + fixed late night work allowance [for 20 hours] 101,523 yen
Additional overtime pay will be provided for hours worked beyond 45 hours / 20 hours [late night].
Base salary will be determined based on experience and ability
Performance-based bonuses are provided twice a year
Commuting Allowance are paid separately
Working hours - Basic working hours 9 : 00 a.m. to 6 : 00 p.m. Break - 12 : 00 p.m. to 1 : 00 p.m. (60 minutes)Holidays - Saturdays, Sundays, national holidays, and year-end and New Year holidaysPaid leave - Up to 20 days per year (separate bereavement leave available)Smoking area - Separated in the building