Data Collection Shift Lead

We are helping our client find a Data Collection Shift Lead to oversee day-to-day data collection operations and ensure operators, equipment, and processes are set up to deliver consistent, high-quality robotics data.

In this role, you'll lead daily shift execution, coordinate operators and collection stations, monitor data quality, and serve as the first point of contact for operational and technical issues. You'll also help develop procedures, train new operators, and partner closely with the operations manager and robotics team to continuously improve data collection workflows.

The ideal candidate is a hands-on team lead with direct experience in robot teleoperation or motion-capture data collection. You are organized, calm under changing conditions, and comfortable coaching operators, enforcing safety and quality standards, and troubleshooting issues in an active technical environment.

As a Data Collection Shift Lead, you'll:

Partner with the operations manager and robotics team to set up collection stations, storage areas, and workspace layouts.

Translate task guidelines into operator-facing SOPs, checklists, and training materials, and run pilot sessions to refine processes.

Support operator interviews and lead onboarding and training for new hires.

Own daily shift execution by assigning operators to stations and tasks, managing the daily plan, covering gaps, and keeping collection sessions on schedule.

Lead start-of-shift briefings covering plans, safety, and protocol changes, and prepare end-of-shift reports summarizing data collected, quality issues, hardware problems, and required follow-up.

Monitor data quality in real time by spot-checking collection sessions, coaching operators on protocol adherence, and identifying data that does not meet quality standards.

Serve as the first line of triage for equipment and software issues, escalating to lab technicians or engineering with clear reproduction details as needed.

Enforce safety procedures, maintain an organized collection floor, and track throughput, quality, and operational issues to identify opportunities for process improvement.

Manage day-to-day team needs, including attendance, breaks, performance coaching, and escalating concerns to the operations manager when appropriate.

Requirements

Qualifications:

• 1+ years in a team lead, shift supervisor, or senior operator role in a hands-on environment (robotics data collection, teleoperation, warehouse/fulfillment, manufacturing, lab operations, or similar).
• Prior direct experience with robot teleoperation or motion-capture data collection — able to do the job you're supervising and train others to do it.
• Strong written communication: clear shift reports, bug reports, and SOP updates without being prompted.
• Comfortable operating within, and enforcing, structured safety and protocol requirements.
• Organized and calm under a shifting plan; able to reprioritize when equipment or people are unavailable. Comfortable learning new tools quickly (issue trackers, scheduling tools, data dashboards).
• Able to stand and move around an active floor for most of the shift; occasional lifting up to ~35 lbs.
• Bonus Qualifications: Experience helping open or set up a new site, line, or lab.
• Experience interviewing or training hourly technical staff.
• Familiarity with VR/teleop rigs, mocap systems, or robotics hardware beyond operator level.
• Experience in a startup or research environment where procedures were still being written.