Data Collection Operations Lead

Avala; San Francisco (CA); Hybrid; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Equity

Full benefits + unlimited PTO

Job summary

Avala is seeking a proven Operations Lead to steer its global data collection efforts for Physical AI training. You will supervise distributed annotation teams, align engineering requirements with on-the-ground workflows, and ensure timely delivery across autonomous vehicle and robotics programs.

As the bridge between operations and product, you will optimize processes, monitor quality metrics, manage shifts, and drive audits.

Qualifications

• 3+ years of experience leading operations teams, preferably in data/ML ops.
• Experience managing and motivating distributed hourly teams.
• Strong problem-solving skills and ability to learn new systems quickly.
• Proven track record delivering projects with sensitive deadlines and limited resources.

Responsibilities

• Plan and coordinate data collection schedules across global annotation teams.
• Monitor equipment health, annotation quality metrics, and team performance.
• Schedule and manage shifts for distributed annotation operators.
• Conduct regular data audits to identify and correct errors or discrepancies.
• Recommend and implement process improvements to enhance collection efficiency.
• Serve as point of contact between annotation teams and engineering.

Skills

Operations leadership

Distributed teams management

Data/ML ops

Project management

Problem solving

Learning new systems

Deadline-driven

Resource management

Job description

Posted 10 months ago San Francisco, CA full-time

About This Role

Lead Avala's global data collection operations for Physical AI training. Manage distributed teams of annotation experts and coordinate data collection workflows across autonomous vehicle and robotics domains. Be the bridge between engineering requirements and operational execution.

Key Responsibilities

• Plan and coordinate data collection schedules across global annotation teams
• Monitor equipment health, annotation quality metrics, and team performance
• Schedule and manage shifts for distributed annotation operators
• Conduct regular data audits to identify and correct errors or discrepancies
• Recommend and implement process improvements to enhance collection efficiency
• Serve as point of contact between annotation teams and engineering

Requirements

• 3+ years experience managing operations teams, preferably in data/ML ops
• Experience managing and motivating distributed hourly teams
• Strong problem-solving skills with aptitude for quickly learning new systems
• Proven track record executing projects with sensitive deadlines
• Experience managing multiple competing projects with limited resources
• Highly flexible attitude that adapts to rapid changes in a growing environment

Operations Team Leadership Data Collection Quality Assurance Project Management

What We Offer

• Competitive salary and meaningful equity in the team building Fleet Learning Infrastructure for Physical AI
• Full health, dental, and vision coverage, plus FSA and unlimited PTO

Work on the closed-loop data infrastructure that the next generation of autonomous systems learns from

A team that built Tesla Autopilot's data infrastructure, now building something bigger