Lead Robot Operator
(Contract - to- hire)
Sigma Design has collaborated with a technology company seeking an experienced Robot Operator to join their facility in Menlo Park, CA. This company focuses on AI and advanced computing technologies. This position is contract to hire and is In-Office
While on contract you are eligible for:
- Multiple options for medical insurance and dental insurance including some with FSA and HSA
- 401(k) with up to 4% company match
- 15-days of accrued PTO and 9 company paid holidays
- Quarterly bonus program
- Voluntary benefits: vision, long-term disability, and life insurance
- Monday- Friday, 8:00 am- 5:00 pm
- $25.00 an hour - $40 an hour/DOE
Primary Function:
The Lead Robot Operator is responsible for overseeing day-to-day shift operations supporting robotic data collection and production. This role provides hands-on leadership to ensure staffing, workflow, and equipment readiness while maintaining production efficiency, data quality, and consistent adherence to operational standards. The Lead Operator trains and coaches operators, addresses operational challenges in real time, and communicates issues and performance updates to relevant teams.
Essential Job Functions- Responsibilities:
- Provide hands-on leadership of daily shift operations, ensuring workstations, equipment, props, and staffing are ready for production
- Assign and rebalance tasks across operators based on production priorities, staffing availability, and operational constraints
- Supervise, train, and coach operators to ensure consistent performance and adherence to established procedures and quality standards
- Monitor shift throughput, productivity, and data quality, identifying performance gaps and implementing corrective actions as needed
- Identify, document, and escalate data quality issues, technical blockers, hardware problems, and process bottlenecks
- Serve as the primary point of contact for shift operations, communicating updates and coordinating with upstream and downstream teams
- Maintain accurate shift documentation and provide clear handoff notes to support continuity between shifts
- Support workflow improvements and operational efficiency by identifying recurring issues and providing structured feedback to technical teams
- Monitor operational KPIs and use performance data to guide workflow adjustments and team coaching
- Enforce PPE requirements, safe work practices, and established operational procedures
- Follow Business Technology policies to protect sensitive data and reduce information security occurrences
Education and Experience: (Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities)
- Bachelor's degree in a STEM or Operations-related field, or equivalent hands-on experience
- Prior experience in robotics, hardware, automation, or a related technology environment required
- 3-5 years of experience in technology operations, manufacturing, or another fast-paced production environment
- Minimum of 2 years of experience managing or scheduling hourly, shift-based employees
- Experience coordinating workflows, assigning tasks, and managing competing production priorities
- Comfortable using operational dashboards, tracking KPIs, and learning proprietary software tools
- Strong communication skills, including the ability to document floor-level issues and communicate actionable feedback to technical teams
- Demonstrated ability to troubleshoot operational challenges, adapt to changing priorities, and make decisions in a fast-paced environment
- Strong organizational skills and attention to detail, with a focus on production consistency, quality, and efficiency
- ITAR- Permanent resident of the United States ("U.S. person" as defined by ITAR)
- Background- Pass a post-offer background verification.
Work Environment
Standard lab/production environment. Appropriate safety garments (PPE) must be worn. Occasionally may be required to work in environmental conditions that emulate typical user environments in order to facilitate design testing and validation. Occasionally may be required to travel as required to other facilities, clients, or suppliers. Must be able to stand and work as long as 12 hours in different positions. Must be able to lift up to 50 pounds unassisted.