Field Data Collection Specialist

Cartesian Systems; Cambridge (MA); On-site; USD 65,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

Cartesian seeks a Field Data Collection Specialist to join our team in Kendall Square, Cambridge. This role focuses on hands-on data collection, field operations, and R&D testing across retail environments.

You will travel to stores in the Boston area, evaluate model performance, and help ensure reliability of our indoor positioning solutions. Salary ranges from $65,000 to $80,000 annually, with strong ownership and cross-functional collaboration.

Qualifications

• 1+ years in a technical, operational, support, research, testing, or related role.
• Experience running scripts (e.g., Python) and working with technical tools.
• Strong problem-solving skills and ability to work independently in ambiguous environments.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Plan and run data collection protocols in real-world environments (retail stores, warehouses).
• Use and provide feedback on new data collection tooling for R&D and engineering teams.
• Operate and maintain RFID and other collection devices, and troubleshoot hardware and app issues in the field.
• Travel to customer sites to evaluate system performance under real-world conditions.
• Collect, validate, and analyze datasets used to improve product accuracy and reliability.
• Perform basic scripting, troubleshooting, and debugging to support testing activities.
• Investigate bugs, edge cases, and unexpected behavior, providing detailed feedback to R&D and engineering teams.
• Improve and document testing and data collection processes to increase quality, consistency, and efficiency.
• Test new features, mobile applications, and workflows before deployment.

Skills

Python scripting

Attention to detail

Communication

Education

Bachelor's degree in a technical field

Tools

RFID devices

Data collection tools

Job description

Cartesian is building spatial intelligence for indoor environments to drive operational efficiency. We’re tackling one of the biggest challenges in the $35T global retail industry: in-store inventory visibility. Our platform delivers accurate indoor positioning and actionable product location insights, helping retailers streamline operations, optimize workflows, and reduce inefficiencies. By fusing wireless signals and mobile computer vision, we provide a uniquely scalable, infrastructure-free solution already deployed by international fashion brands.

Founded by an MIT engineering professor and alumni behind award-winning, patented core technologies, Cartesian spun out in 2023. Originally backed by a U.S. National Science Foundation SBIR Award, we’ve bootstrapped to a live product now deployed in multiple countries and are scaling aggressively.

About the Role

We are looking for a Field Data Collection Specialist to join Cartesian at a pivotal moment in our growth. This is a hands‑on, impact-driven role focused on data collection, field operations, and R&D product testing. You will spend significant time in retail environments evaluating model performance, collecting and validating data, identifying issues, and helping ensure our technology performs reliably in real-world conditions.

Success in this role requires curiosity, attention to detail, and a strong sense of ownership. You should enjoy investigating problems, working directly with customers and in retail environments, and collaborating closely with technical team members to design and execute on critical data collection processes.

Location: In-person in Kendall Square, Cambridge, with regular travel to retail stores throughout the Boston area and occasional regional travel.
Salary: $65,000 - $80,000 annually

What You’ll Do

• Plan and run data collection protocols in real-world environments (e.g., retail stores, warehouses, …)
• Use and provide feedback on new data collection tooling for R&D and engineering teams
• Operate and maintain RFID and other collection devices, and troubleshoot hardware and app issues in the field
• Travel to customer sites to evaluate system performance under real-world conditions
• Collect, validate, and analyze datasets used to improve product accuracy and reliability
• Perform basic scripting, troubleshooting, and debugging to support testing activities
• Investigate bugs, edge cases, and unexpected behavior, providing detailed feedback to R&D and engineering teams
• Improve and document testing and data collection processes to increase quality, consistency, and efficiency
• Test new features, mobile applications, and workflows before deployment
• Help represent customer and field perspectives within the organization

Qualifications

• 1+ years of experience in a technical, operational, support, research, testing, or related role
• Strong attention to detail and ability to execute rigorous, repeatable testing processes
• Experience running scripts (e.g., in Python) and working with technical tools
• Strong problem-solving skills and ability to work independently in ambiguous environments
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Reliable, accountable, and highly organized
• Ability and willingness to travel regularly to retail locations
• Associate's or Bachelor's degree in a technical field or equivalent practical experience

Nice to Have

• Experience with product testing, field testing, QA, or beta testing
• Experience collecting, validating, or analyzing data
• Experience in retail, customer support, customer success, field operations, or deployment roles
• Familiarity with Python, SQL, or data analysis tools
• Experience supporting data pipelines, data quality monitoring, or operational tooling
• Startup or early‑stage company experience

Why Cartesian

• Work on hard, real-world problems with immediate and visible impact
• Join a small, highly technical team with significant ownership and autonomy
• Build systems that are deployed and used globally
• Collaborative, thoughtful, low-ego culture focused on learning and execution
• Opportunity to become a product expert and grow into roles across data operations, deployment, R&D, testing, and product
• In-person team culture in the heart of Kendall Square, Cambridge

We know that no one checks every box—and we don’t expect you to. If this role sounds exciting to you, and you think you could contribute to Cartesian’s mission, we encourage you to apply even if your experience doesn’t perfectly match the description. We care deeply about people who are curious, thoughtful, and motivated to learn, and we believe strong teams are built from a diversity of backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives.

Interview Process

• Introductory conversation focused on motivation, background, and fit
• Technical exercise involving testing, analysis, and basic coding/problem-solving
• Follow-up technical discussion focused on reasoning, troubleshooting, and decision-making
• Final conversation with the hiring manager focused on ownership, communication, and culture fit
• References and offer