Motion Capture Lab Manager

Innodata Inc.; United States; On-site; USD 120,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

Innodata is building a motion capture facility and seeks a hands-on technologist to run the optical system, calibrate daily volumes, and fit markers for full-body and finger capture. You will design capture scenarios, direct performers, and manage the data pipeline from raw capture to cleanup and export in BVH and FBX formats, ensuring precision and documented calibration bounds.

Join a lab shared with robotic hardware and contribute to scalable data workflows using Python, Shogun, and NVIDIA

Qualifications

• Hands-on experience operating a professional optical motion capture system (e.g., OptiTrack/Vicon).
• Experience with full-body and finger/hand capture and cleanup/retargeting workflow.
• Fluency with motion capture software and export formats; strong data management.
• Ability to direct performers and run sessions efficiently with technical precision.
• Methodical calibration, QC, and documentation to ensure data accuracy.
• Comfort working around robotic hardware; collaboration with robotics team.

Responsibilities

• Operate and maintain the optical motion capture system, including camera setup, daily volume calibration, marker placement, and suit/glove fitting for full-body and finger capture.
• Plan and direct capture sessions against client motion specifications, including scenario design, performer direction, and shot planning.
• Run the data pipeline from raw capture through cleanup, retargeting, and export in BVH and FBX formats.
• Perform quality control against precision and frame-rate requirements, and document calibration bounds for each delivery.
• Maintain lab infrastructure: capture hardware, workstations, storage, networking, and the software toolchain.
• Coordinate with hardware vendors and integrators during build-out and for ongoing support/upgrades.
• Work safely in a lab shared with robotic systems, coordinating stage time with the robotics team.

Skills

Session direction

Calibration & QC

Data management

Creative-technical balance

Team collaboration

Tools

OptiTrack

Vicon

Shogun

Python

NVIDIA Omniverse

Job description

Innodata (Nasdaq: INOD) is a global data engineering company. We believe that data and Artificial Intelligence (AI) are inextricably linked. Our mission is to enable the responsible advancement of artificial intelligence by providing the data, evaluation frameworks, and human expertise required to build AI systems that can be trusted at scale. We provide a range of transferable solutions, platforms, and services for Generative AI / AI builders and adopters. In every relationship, we honor our 36 year legacy delivering the highest quality data and outstanding outcomes for our customers.

Scope of the Role:

Innodata is building a motion capture facility to produce the fine-grained human motion data that physical AI and world models require, data that no public dataset provides. The physical build begins in mid-2026, and this person will help stand it up and then run it day to day. The role is roughly half infrastructure and operations, half creative direction of capture sessions. You will own the equipment, the capture pipeline, and the quality of what comes off the stage. You do not need to be a roboticist, but you will be comfortable working in a space shared with robotic hardware.

What You’ll Own:

• Operate and maintain the optical motion capture system, including camera setup, daily volume calibration, marker placement, and suit and glove fitting for full-body and finger capture.
• Plan and direct capture sessions against client motion specifications, including scenario design, performer direction, and shot planning.
• Run the data pipeline from raw capture through cleanup, retargeting, and export in standard formats such as BVH and FBX.
• Perform quality control against precision and frame-rate requirements, and document calibration error bounds and skeleton resolution for each delivery.
• Maintain lab infrastructure: capture hardware, workstations, storage, networking, and the software toolchain.
• Coordinate with hardware vendors and integrators during build-out and for ongoing support and upgrades.
• Work safely and effectively in a lab shared with robotic systems, coordinating stage time and space with the robotics team.

You’ll Thrive in This Role If You Have:

• Hands-on experience operating a professional optical motion capture system (for example OptiTrack, Vicon, or comparable), including calibration and troubleshooting.
• Experience with full-body and finger or hand capture and the associated cleanup and retargeting workflow.
• Fluency with motion capture software and export formats, and comfort with the file and data management that high-volume capture requires.
• The ability to direct performers and run a session efficiently, balancing creative judgment with technical precision.
• A methodical approach to calibration, QC, and documentation, since the value of the data depends on its measured accuracy.
• Comfort working around robotic hardware and collaborating with a technical team. No robotics background required.
• Background in film, games, or VFX motion capture, or in a research or biomechanics capture setting.
• Direct experience with Vicon hardware and the Shogun software stack.
• Familiarity with scripting for pipeline automation (Python preferred).
• Exposure to simulation or synthetic data tools such as NVIDIA Omniverse.

The expected salary range for this position is $120,000 – $160,000 USD per year, based on experience, skills, and qualifications.