About this role
Role Overview
We're hiring a Senior Manager, Robotics Lab Operations to run the floor. You'll own day-to-day execution across our Santa Clara robotics labs — managing the Lead layer, driving throughput and quality across a 100+ person hourly workforce operating on multiple shifts, and serving as the operational point of contact for the client.
This is a hands-on production leadership role. You're on site, on the floor, and accountable for whether the work ships on time, at quality, and safely. You'll build the management structure that makes a large hourly team run well: clear shift coverage, real supervision, consistent standards, and a team that wants to stay.
What You Will Do
Lead the team
- Manage a team of Leads and Supervisors across multiple shifts; own their performance, development, and coverage model.
- Oversee 100+ full-time hourly data collection associates, operators, and lab technicians.
- Own staffing: headcount planning, scheduling, shift structure, attendance, overtime, and surge coverage.
- Partner with recruiting and workforce management on hiring ramps, onboarding, and time-to-productivity.
- Handle performance management and employee relations on the floor, partnering with HR on escalations.
- Build a floor culture where standards are clear, feedback is normal, and attrition stays low.
Drive operations
- Own daily, weekly, and monthly production targets across all lab programs — throughput, quality, and utilization.
- Run the operating cadence: shift handoffs, daily standups, huddles, escalation paths, and a shift-to-shift continuity model that actually holds.
- Track and report on KPIs — output per shift, quality scores, rework, downtime, fill rate, and labor efficiency.
- Identify bottlenecks and lead continuous improvement across workflows, lab layout, equipment usage, and staffing models.
- Partner with engineering and program teams on lab setup, new program launches, and capacity planning.
- Ensure labs stay safe and compliant in partnership with the Robotics Safety & Compliance Lead; enforce protocols on the floor.
Own the client relationship
- Serve as the primary operational contact for the client on-site — status, escalations, change requests, and performance reporting.
- Translate client requirements into clear, executable floor instructions and quality standards.
- Represent operations in business reviews with clear, data-backed reporting on delivery and risk.
What Good Looks Like
- Shifts run consistently whether or not you're in the building.
- Hit targets without heroics — predictable throughput, stable quality, controlled labor cost.
- Leads those who are growing into stronger managers.
- Low attrition and high attendance on a large hourly team.
- A client who hears about issues from you first, with a plan attached.
- Safety and compliance treated as part of production, not a separate conversation.
Basic Qualifications
- 7+ years in operations, production, or manufacturing management, including 3+ years managing managers or supervisors.
- Direct experience leading 100+ hourly employees in an onsite production, lab, warehouse, fulfillment, or manufacturing environment.
- Proven experience running multi-shift operations, including shift scheduling, coverage, and handoff management.
- Strong track record owning operational KPIs — throughput, quality, utilization, labor cost.
- Experience with workforce planning, performance management, and employee relations for an hourly workforce.
- Clear communicator who can move between floor-level direction and executive or client-facing reporting.
- Must be able to work onsite in Santa Clara, with flexibility to support multiple shifts as needed.
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience in robotics, hardware, AV/AI data collection, advanced manufacturing, or technical lab environments.
- Experience as the operational owner of a client or customer relationship, including SLA and business review ownership.
- Background in a high-growth or rapidly scaling operation — standing up new sites, lines, or programs.
- Familiarity with Lean Six Sigma, or other continuous improvement methodologies.
- Comfort with operational tooling and data — WFM systems, dashboards, ticketing, or scripting/SQL to pull your own numbers.
- Experience managing a non-exempt workforce under California wage and hourly requirements.
- Bilingual (English/Spanish) a plus for floor communication.
Work Environment and Physical Requirements
- Onsite robotics lab and warehouse environment in Santa Clara.
- Regular floor presence across shifts; occasional early, late, or weekend coverage during ramps and launches.
- Must be able to stand and walk the floor for extended periods.
- Must be able to occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 lbs.
- Fast-paced environment with evolving operational needs.
Why This Role Matters
Our labs are where the data actually gets made. This role makes that work predictable at scale — building the management layer, the operating rhythm, and the team that lets us take on more without losing quality, safety, or our people.
Benefits Included in the Offer:
- Friendly Working Environment
- IT Equipment
- Social Activities
- Global Mobility Policy
- Employee Referral Program
- Employee Assistant Program
- Medical, Dental, and Vision Insurance
- HSA & FSA
- 401(k) retirement
- Short & Long Term Disability Insurance
- Accident, Critical Illness, Hospital Indemnity Insurance
- Telemedicine Benefit
- Annual Leave
- Paid Public Holidays
- Maternity/Paternity Leave
Hourly Pay: $90-$110/hr.
Job Reference: #LI-JC1