Senior Production Manager, Robotics Lab Operations

Location: Santa Clara, CA Workplace: onsite About Welo Data Welo Data, a Welo Global brand, is the multilingual data and evaluation partner for foundation labs and enterprises deploying GenAI systems globally. They deliver the human judgment, data infrastructure, and evaluation systems that ensure AI models perform reliably across languages, cultures, and real-world contexts, at every stage from training through deployment.  Its global network of 500,000+ vetted experts spans 300+ languages and locales, enabling high-quality multilingual data creation and structured model evaluation across the full spectrum of modern AI applications — from large language models and voice and speech systems to agentic workflows and robotics and embodied AI. This breadth of linguistic, cultural, and domain expertise enables Welo Data to address critical AI development challenges, including safety, bias, inclusivity, and cross-lingual reliability. A unified global operating model, led by specialized program and quality experts and grounded in assessment-driven talent selection, localized rubrics, and continuous calibration, ensures consistent performance across languages, domains, and modalities. Underpinning all of this is NIMO™ (Network Identity Management and Operations), Welo Data's proprietary identity and fraud-prevention framework. Built to maintain data integrity and workforce trust across a global contributor base, NIMO combines advanced verification, continuous monitoring, and structured QA to ensure every dataset is accurate, traceable, and culturally grounded. welodata.ai    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