Strategic Projects Lead, Robotics

About the role

You will own the end-to-end strategy and execution for the most visible egocentric data collection programs at Scale, acting as the primary business owner for initiatives that directly generate millions in net-new revenue. You will architect scalable operational roadmaps that bridge complex hardware realities with advanced AI model requirements, ensuring data quality and operational efficiency are never compromised. This role demands an entrepreneurial mindset comfortable with ambiguity, where you wear multiple hats across operations, engineering strategy, and product to drive the physical data engine. You will translate ambiguous customer needs into highly structured collection specifications that directly enhance the performance of the world's most advanced Embodied AI systems. Success in this position hinges on your ability to command global operations, mentor high-performing teams, and deliver strategic progress with executive presence. You will establish rigorous project management frameworks to anticipate bottlenecks and navigate the beautiful chaos of physical-world data collection. If you thrive on high-stakes ownership and complex paradigms, this role offers accelerated career progression within a historic growth environment.

Key facts

What you'll do

Drive end-to-end ownership of strategic egocentric data collection initiatives, defining scope, timelines, and commercial outcomes while ensuring alignment with revenue targets.

Translate intricate machine learning requirements from robotics teams into precise physical data collection specifications that optimize VLM and VLA model performance.

Build and optimize a robust PMO framework, establishing critical-path timelines, milestone tracking, and infrastructure to de-risk real-world operational execution.

Partner with executive stakeholders across Engineering, Product, Finance, and Go-to-Market to ensure operational execution meets cutting-edge robotics model requirements.

Lead, mentor, and scale a matrixed team of Operations Program Managers and Associates, defining task architecture and establishing clear operational KPIs.

Train and manage global teams of data collectors, implementing hardware and software troubleshooting protocols for egocentric devices like smart glasses and sensor rigs.

Construct advanced analytics, tracking dashboards, and reporting mechanisms to create continuous feedback loops that inform operational lifecycle decisions.

Deliver high-signal strategic updates and risk assessments directly to Scale's executive leadership team, ensuring transparency and alignment.

Champion first-principles problem-solving to deconstruct complex, ambiguous operational challenges into executable strategies.

Maintain readiness for international travel to audit, launch, and optimize localized collection infrastructure across global markets.

Foster deep collaboration with robotics and computer vision teams to ensure data collection practices evolve with the latest physical AI advancements.

Ensure all operational activities adhere to strict quality standards that directly impact the performance and reliability of deployed AI models.

Proactively identify and mitigate operational risks, developing contingency plans to maintain momentum and data integrity.

Act as the primary liaison between technical teams and executive leadership, articulating progress, constraints, and strategic pivots.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Computer Science, or a related technical field is mandatory.

Possess 5+ years of elite project or program management experience leading complex, multi-faceted lifecycles.

Demonstrated experience establishing PMO frameworks, managing cross-functional technical teams, and applying Agile/Scrum methodologies.

Showcased track record of driving massive commercial or business outcomes through operational excellence and strategic execution.

Deep familiarity with robotics systems, autonomous vehicles, computer vision pipelines, or hardware-in-the-loop environments is required.

Exceptional analytical capability to perform first-principles problem solving on unpredictable and complex operational challenges.

An entrepreneurial, founder-level mindset that thrives on building systems from concept to scale under physical constraints.

Readiness for international travel, including 10-20% frequency to audit and optimize collection infrastructure globally.

Strong comfort with the beautiful chaos of physical-world operations and the ability to maintain rigor under pressure.

Proven ability to own high-stakes initiatives with executive presence and clear communication skills.

Experience managing global, matrixed teams and defining task architecture for operational efficiency.

Commitment to data-centric decision making, utilizing analytics and dashboards to drive continuous improvement.

Ability to mentor and lead teams effectively across diverse geographic and cultural contexts.

Nice to have

Hands-on experience with spatial computing, egocentric vision systems, sensor fusion involving LiDAR/IMU/Camera, or AI data curation.

Demonstrated background managing distributed global operations across multiple time zones.

Experience with smart glasses hardware, sensor rig setups, and associated data collection software platforms.

Knowledge of data curation best practices for AI model training and continuous learning pipelines.

Familiarity with financial modeling for data collection programs and P&L ownership.

Understanding of computer vision model training workflows and data pipeline versioning strategies.

Exposure to scaling operations in fast-growth technology startups or robotics-focused environments.

Practical notes

This is a full-time position based in San Francisco, California.

International travel is required, estimated at 10-20% of time to support global collection operations.

Candidates must be authorized to work in the United States without sponsorship for this role.