Robot Data Collection Lead

COBOT; Seattle (WA); On-site; USD 125,000 - 145,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Equity

Medical/Dental/Vision

401(k)

Unlimited PTO

Paid sick leave

Parental leave

Job summary

COBOT in Seattle is seeking a Robot Data Collection Lead to manage a two-shift data-collection team, hire and coach staff, and align with AI Research on data throughput and quality. The role focuses on operational metrics, safety, and scalable processes within a fast-growing robotics startup.

The position is fully onsite at our Northlake office in Seattle, WA, with responsibilities spanning team development, performance management, and cross-functional collaboration to drive reliable data for

Qualifications

• 3+ years directly leading teams of hourly employees.
• Experience supervising a multi-shift operation with a data-target focus.
• Ability to translate requirements into clear instructions for non-specialists.
• Experience writing SOPs, training materials, and quality standards.
• Able to work across both shifts as needed.
• Strong written and oral communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead a 16–20 data collectors across two shifts (8:00–16:00 and 16:00–23:00).
• Own weekly data quantity and quality targets and report progress.
• Collaborate with AI Research to design data collection protocols.
• Write and maintain SOPs, training, and onboarding for the team.

Skills

Team leadership

Shift work

Coaching

Performance management

Data-driven planning

Communication

Education

Bachelor's degree (Operations/Engineering/Robotics/Supply Chain)

Tools

Robotics hardware

ML data pipelines

Job description

Help us build the future of robotics. Cobot is seeking a Robot Data Collection Lead.

You will lead a team of data collectors across two shifts and work with our AI Research team to produce robot manipulation data at volume and at quality. You will hire and coach the team, set the goals, build the measurements, and drive quantity and quality metrics.

Join us to reimagine the future of human-robot interaction.

Collaborative Robotics is a team of innovators and builders redefining the future of human-robot interaction. We are working to realize a world where robots are a trusted extension of your surroundings. They work, adapt, and react around you. Not the other way around.

This role is located fully onsite at our Northlake office in Seattle, WA.

Key Responsibilities:

Team

• Hire, onboard, train, and develop 16–20 data collectors across two shifts, 8:00am–4:00pm and 4:00pm–11:00pm.

• Keep both shifts staffed through seasonal and academic-calendar changes.

• Coach collectors on output and quality. Manage performance.

• Run shift huddles, handoffs, and end-of-shift recaps.

Goals and Metrics

• Own the weekly data quantity and quality targets.

• Build the measurements for throughput and data quality with AI Research.

• Set individual and shift goals. Make performance visible to the team.

• Report performance, risks, and blockers to engineering and research leadership.

Research Partnership

• Turn research requirements into collection protocols the team can run.

• Tell research what works on the floor, what does not, and what would raise yield or quality.

• Discuss technical topics with research staff and argue for what the operation needs.

Operations

• Write and maintain SOPs, training, and onboarding for the team.

• Troubleshoot on the floor. Decide when to fix locally and when to elevate to engineering. Cut downtime.

• Manage schedule, hours, and labor cost.

• Train and enforce Cobot safety policies.

Minimum Qualifications:

• 3+ years directly leading teams of hourly employees, including hiring, training, coaching, and performance management.

• Experience supervising a multi-shift operation against a recurring output target.

• Experience defining operational metrics, not only managing to metrics defined by others.

• Able to discuss technical topics with engineers and research scientists and translate requirements into instructions for a non-specialist team.

• Experience writing SOPs, training materials, and quality standards.

• Able to work across both shifts as needed.

• Highly motivated teammate with excellent oral and written communication skills.

• Enjoy working in a fast paced, collaborative and dynamic start-up environment as part of a small team.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience running robot teleoperation, demonstration data collection, or a comparable data-generation operation.

• Familiarity with robotics hardware, manipulation, or machine learning data pipelines.

• Experience working with research scientists or ML teams.

• Bachelor's degree in Operations, Engineering, Robotics, Supply Chain, or a related field.

• Experience standing up a new site, team, or process.

The annual base salary range for this position is $125,000–$145,000 plus equity and comprehensive benefits including medical/dental/vision plans, 401(k) plan, unlimited paid vacation time, paid sick leave, and parental leave. Our salary ranges are determined by role and experience level. The range reflects the minimum and maximum target for new hire salaries for the position in the noted geographic area. Within the range, individual pay is determined by additional factors, including job-related skills, experience, and relevant education or training.

Cobot is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to legally protected characteristics. We are committed to providing reasonable accommodations for candidates with disabilities in our recruiting process. If you need any assistance or accommodations due to a disability, please let your recruiter know.

To all recruitment agencies: Collaborative Robotics does not accept agency resumes. Please do not forward resumes to our employees. Collaborative Robotics is not responsible for any fees related to unsolicited resumes.