As the Head of Data Collection Operations based in London, you will lead a globally distributed team responsible for capturing high-quality, high-value training data to support perception, planning, control, and simulation. Your mission is to maximize data throughput and quality per unit of time, cost, and effort, while continuously improving every aspect of the operation.
You will run data collection like a modern manufacturing line: metric-driven, shift-based, deeply optimized, and designed for scale. You’ll define the infrastructure, reporting systems, and cultural norms that make world-class performance measurable, achievable, and repeatable.
What You’ll Do:
Drive Operational Efficiency
* Design and scale a highly productive, shift-based data collection function operating across sites and time zones
* Define and track operational KPIs (e.g. OEE, data per shift, session quality, root cause downtime)
* Build dashboards and reporting systems to provide visibility at all levels—from operators to executives
* Set aggressive but achievable performance targets and drive continuous improvement against them
Build a Culture of Continuous Improvement
* Establish standard operating procedures (SOPs), operator work instructions, and daily execution rhythms
* Embed Lean principles and problem-solving tools into the daily workflow (e.g. kaizen, A3, PDCA)
* Empower shift leads and operators to identify inefficiencies and implement improvements
* Ensure root cause analysis and corrective action processes are used to address recurring issues
Partner with Engineering & ML Teams
* Work with autonomy, perception, and data teams to understand data requirements and collection goals
* Translate high-level data needs into structured, executable collection plans
* Provide feedback on data quality, edge case capture, and system performance during sessions
* Support software and hardware iteration by ensuring rapid deployment of updated platforms and tooling
Scale Systems & Infrastructure
* Build and manage the global infrastructure (tools, processes, people) required to scale from early R&D to production-scale data pipelines
* Define systems for session planning, task tracking, incident logging, and performance review
* Lead staffing, training, and upskilling to ensure a high-ownership, high-skill operator workforce
* Work with legal and security to ensure safe, secure, and compliant data practices
We’re Looking For:
* 10+ years of experience in data operations, manufacturing, test, or technical operations in a high-performance environment
* Proven track record of running metric-driven operations at scale, ideally shift-based or production-like
* Strong background in continuous improvement methodologies (Lean, Six Sigma, TPS, or similar)
* Familiarity with robotics, ML data workflows, or autonomous systems is a strong plus
* Clear communicator, structured thinker, and capable leader who thrives in dynamic, technical environments
* Hands-on and systems-oriented—you love to build and optimize the entire end-to-end operation
* Comfortable operating in ambiguous, fast-changing environments shaped by rapidly evolving AI technologies, data strategies, and toolchains
Bonus Points:
* Experience building or scaling human-in-the-loop systems or teleoperations
* Skilled with analytics tools and dashboarding platforms (e.g. Looker, Grafana, Tableau)
* Background in R&D or applied ML environments with high feedback iteration cycles
* Experience managing distributed or international operations