Staging Specialist
Job description
About the role
Figure is an AI robotics company developing autonomous general-purpose humanoid robots. The goal of the company is to ship humanoid robots with human level intelligence. Its robots are engineered to perform a variety of tasks in the home and commercial markets. Figure is headquartered in San Jose, CA. We are seeking a Staging Specialist to support our offsite data collection operations. This hands-on role involves traveling to collection homes across the country to set up realistic environments - arranging furniture, props, and scene configurations that enable high-quality data capture for training our humanoid robots. Your work directly impacts Figure's path to generalized humanoids by ensuring our robots learn from diverse, well-constructed real-world scenarios. You will serve as the primary on-site environment architect, translating digital scene requirements into physical spaces that mirror authentic daily living conditions. This role requires meticulous coordination with distributed teams to maintain consistency and efficiency across all collection sites. Success in this position will accelerate the training data pipeline that underpins Figure's core robotics objectives.
Key facts
What you'll do
- Travel to offsite data collection locations, with 75% or more of time dedicated to regional and national trips.
- Set up and configure collection home environments, including furniture arrangement, prop placement, and detailed scene staging.
- Ensure environments meet strict specifications for optimal data collection quality and operational integrity.
- Coordinate with the data collection team to clarify scene requirements, timelines, and any evolving project constraints.
- Load, unload, and transport equipment, furniture, and props to collection sites using safe and efficient methods.
- Maintain detailed inventory of props and equipment, documenting condition and reporting damage or replacement needs immediately.
- Troubleshoot on-site issues and adapt setups as needed to preserve data quality and schedule adherence.
- Document site configurations with comprehensive notes and capture high-value photos for future reference and training purposes.
- Ensure collection spaces are safe and compliant with operational standards, company policies, and local regulations.
- Support the calibration of environmental sensors and data capture devices to align with Figure's technical requirements.
- Implement scene variations that reflect diverse cultural and geographic contexts to enrich robot learning datasets.
- Collaborate with logistics partners to streamline the movement of staging materials between multiple collection points.
- Verify that all staged environments align with data labeling guidelines and machine learning pipeline expectations.
- Provide real-time feedback to the engineering team regarding staging challenges that could affect data capture or robot behavior.
- Assist in the development of standardized staging checklists to improve consistency across all collection homes.
Requirements
- 1+ years of experience in set design, staging, event setup, warehouse operations, or similar hands-on role.
- Ability to travel 75% or more, including extended stays at remote locations across the United States.
- Comfortable with physical work: lifting 30+ lbs regularly, moving furniture, and standing for extended periods without fatigue.
- Valid driver's license and clean driving record, with comfort driving a van for long-distance and urban routes.
- Strong attention to detail and ability to follow setup specifications precisely to ensure data integrity.
- Self-starter who can work independently with minimal supervision while maintaining high standards of safety and quality.
- Good communication skills and ability to coordinate effectively with remote teams across multiple time zones.
- Flexibility to adapt to changing schedules, site conditions, and last-minute scene adjustments.
- Must be able to pass a background check and meet all company compliance and safety requirements.
- Willingness to adhere to data privacy protocols and handle sensitive information encountered on-site with discretion.
Nice to have
- Familiarity with smart home devices or consumer electronics setup to streamline environment configuration.
- Experience with inventory management or logistics systems to optimize prop and equipment tracking.
- Basic photography skills for documenting site configurations and capturing staging details.
- Forklift certification or experience with equipment handling to move heavy or bulky items safely.
- Experience in film/TV production, photography sets, or real estate staging for enhanced scene authenticity.
Practical notes
This is a contract position with potential to convert to full time, based on performance and business needs. The US base hourly range for this contract position is $28 - $38/hr. The pay offered for this position may vary based on several individual factors, including job-related knowledge, skills, and experience. The total compensation package may also include additional components or benefits depending on the specific role. This information will be shared if an employment offer is extended.