User Study and Data Operations Engineer

Socket.dev; Sunnyvale (CA); On-site; USD 120,000 - 170,000; Full time

Job summary

Apple in Sunnyvale, CA seeks a User Study & Data Operations Engineer to lead end-to-end data collection programs. You will design protocols, coordinate with ML researchers and engineers, and oversee lab testing across sites. The role requires hands-on experience with human-subject studies, SOPs, and vendor management.

You will work with internal teams to turn research questions into reliable study designs and operational plans, ensuring high-quality data and rigorous protocols.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Human Factors, Cognitive Science, Computer Science, HCI, Life/Physical Sciences, or equivalent job-related experience.
• 3+ years of experience running user study operations, human factors tests, data operations, hardware/software QA, or technical lab operations.
• Experience writing, piloting, and running human-subject test protocols, task sequences, moderator guidelines, or SOPs.
• Experience working with technical teams to turn requirements into operational study plans.
• Experience managing external data collection vendors, including drafting SOWs, auditing data deliverables, and ensuring quality.

Responsibilities

• Lead end-to-end data collection programs.
• Work with algorithm scientists, ML researchers, and engineering leads to design studies.
• Oversee testing across internal prototype labs and external vendors.
• Run human-subject studies from scoping through multi-site execution.

Skills

User study operations

Data operations

SOPs drafting

Vendor management

Collaboration with ML/engineering

Education

Bachelor's degree (Engineering/CS/HCI)

Tools

Python

Bash

Shell scripting

Job description

At Apple, we build products that help people live better, healthier, and more productive lives. Our team designs and runs human-centered data collections to test, train, and validate emerging hardware and software technologies.

Description

We are looking for a User Study & Data Operations Engineer to lead end-to-end data collection programs. In this role, you will work directly with algorithm scientists, machine learning researchers, and engineering leads to turn raw research questions into clear study designs, practical test protocols, and reliable lab operations. You will oversee testing across internal prototype labs and external data collection vendors. In this role, you will run human-subject studies from initial scoping through protocol design and multi-site execution.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Human Factors, Cognitive Science, Computer Science, Human-Computer Interaction (HCI), Life/Physical Sciences, or equivalent job-related experience.
• 3+ years of experience running user study operations, human factors tests, data operations, hardware/software QA, or technical lab operations.
• Experience writing, piloting, and running human-subject test protocols, task sequences, moderator guidelines, or standard operating procedures (SOPs).
• Experience working directly with technical teams (such as algorithms, machine learning, or systems engineering) to turn technical requirements into operational study plans.
• Experience managing external data collection vendors, including drafting Statements of Work (SOWs), auditing data deliverables, and holding partners to quality criteria.

Preferred Qualifications

• Hands-on experience setting up prototype hardware, optical/sensor rigs, studio lighting, or camera tracking systems.
• Experience using Python, Bash, or shell scripts to verify, check, and process collected data.
• Background in human factors methods, psychophysical scaling, survey design, and qualitative debriefs.
• Experience using modern AI-assisted development tools and agentic coding workflows to quickly build scripts, internal dashboards, and operational tools that automate repetitive tasks.
• Track record of creating clear operational processes and reference documentation where none previously existed.
• Clear communicator who can align priorities across research scientists, engineers, legal, privacy, and operations teams.
• Experience guiding study moderators and communicating clearly and respectfully with study participants during sensitive prototype tests.