Robot Operator

physicalintelligence; San Francisco (CA); On-site; USD 34,000 - 39,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Benefits package

Job summary

Physical Intelligence in San Francisco seeks a Robot Operator to teleoperate robotic systems, generate high-quality training data, and meet data-collection metrics on a fast-paced AI robotics team.

You will work hands-on with advanced robots to perform household‑level tasks and precision assembly, while annotating demonstrations to support model training and improvement. This role emphasizes meticulous data quality and steady, repetitive work throughout scheduled shifts.

Qualifications

• Experience with hands-on technical work in labs or similar environments.
• Demonstrated interest in AI, robotics and cutting-edge technology.
• Strong attention to detail and quality control for data collection.

Responsibilities

• Teleoperate robotic arms and guide robots using control systems.
• Maintain data quality and meet metrics for data collection volume and accuracy.
• Annotate and review robot demonstrations to improve AI training data.
• Support equipment setup and assist with general office tasks as needed.

Skills

Hands-on technical work

Lab environments

Precision tasks

AI/robotics interest

Attention to detail

Tools

Robot teleoperation tools

Job description

About Physical Intelligence

Physical Intelligence is building the future where AI-powered robots seamlessly integrate into our daily lives. Imagine a robot that can fold your laundry, prepare meals, and organize your space. Picture robots in warehouses that can handle any package, or manufacturing robots that can adapt to new products without reprogramming. We're making this vision reality by developing general-purpose AI that can control robots to perform any physical task.

Our team of engineers, scientists, and roboticists is creating foundation models - the same breakthrough technology behind ChatGPT - but for the physical world. Just as language models learned to understand and generate text from massive datasets, our robots learn to interact with the physical world through high-quality demonstration data.

The Role

Data collection is the fuel that drives our mission. Every robot movement, every successful task completion, every demonstration you provide teaches our AI systems how to interact with the physical world. As a Robot Operator, you're not just controlling robots—you're literally training the AI that will power the next generation of intelligent machines.

You’ll be at the forefront of robotics AI, working hands‑on with cutting‑edge robotic systems to generate the high-quality training data our models need. Your precise demonstrations teach our AI everything from delicate manipulation tasks to complex multi‑step processes. This is your chance to directly contribute to technology that will transform how robots help humans in homes, workplaces, and beyond.

What You'll Do

Primary Responsibilities

• Teleoperate robotic arms through a variety of tasks using our intuitive control systems
• Either lead robot movements with your arms (the robot mirrors your actions) or guide robots using specialized controllers
• Complete diverse tasks ranging from household activities like folding laundry to complex assembly work
• Maintain high standards for data quality and consistency across all demonstrations
• Meet established metrics for data collection volume and quality during your shift

Important Note: This is a metrics-based role where you'll be expected to meet specific data collection goals throughout your shift. The work involves repetitive task execution, and the quality of data collection is extremely important to our AI training success. Watch some examples of training here: https://drive.google.com/drive/u/0/folders/1YPNYJxKF4i2U41o9pi5AzHCQFYaf2dnw

Example Tasks You'll Train Robots On

• Picking up grocery items and placing them in shipping bags
• Sorting cups, plates, and utensils into bins
• Opening and closing jars of various sizes
• Folding different types of clothing and fabrics
• Installing light bulbs and other simple assembly tasks
• Multi-step electronics assembly processes

Additional Duties

• Review and annotate videos of robot task performances using computer interfaces
• Provide detailed feedback on robot performance and data quality
• Assist with equipment setup and basic office tasks as needed
• Participate in process improvements to enhance data collection efficiency

Physical Requirements

• Ability to stand at a workstation for 8-hour shifts
• Full use of both arms and hands for robot control
• Good hand-eye coordination and manual dexterity
• Attention to detail for quality control

Work Environment & Schedule

Shift Options (8 hours with 30-minute lunch + two paid breaks):

• Morning: 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM PT
• Evening: 4:00 PM - 12:00 AM PT
• Overnight: 12:00 AM - 8:00 AM PT

Shift patterns: Mon-Fri, Wed-Sun, Sat-Wed

Commitment: Minimum 5 days per week

Compensation: $25/hour + benefits package

What We’re Looking For

Ideal Background

• Experience with hands‑on technical work, lab environments, or precision tasks
• Interest in AI, robotics, and cutting‑edge technology
• Strong attention to detail and quality focus

Key Qualities

• Meticulous attention to detail - data quality is crucial for AI training
• Good manual dexterity and hand-eye coordination
• Enjoys repetitive, precision-focused work
• Thrives in fast‑paced, metrics-driven environments
• Excited about contributing to breakthrough AI research
• Collaborative mindset and strong work ethic

Nice to Have

• Experience with robotics systems or automation
• Background in manufacturing, assembly, or laboratory work
• Familiarity with AI/ML concepts
• Gaming or simulation experience with controllers

Why This Role Matters

You’ll be part of the team building the foundation for general‑purpose robotics AI. Every demonstration you provide directly impacts our ability to create robots that can help with household chores, assist in workplaces, and improve quality of life. This is a rare opportunity to work at the cutting edge of AI and robotics while developing valuable technical skills in a rapidly growing field.

Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.