Operations Manager

Job description

ABOUT TRACE Trace is building the data marketplace for physical AI. Physical AI has the potential to transform how work gets done in the real world, from robotics to embodied systems that can see, move, and interact with their environment. But today, progress is constrained by a fundamental limitation: there is no scalable way to collect high-quality, real-world training data. Frontier robotics models are trained on orders of magnitude less data than language models because there is no equivalent of an “internet of robotics data.” Trace exists to change that. We build the infrastructure that makes it possible to capture and transform real-world data from humans performing physical work, and turn it into training data for robotics systems, embodied AI models, and other AI systems that operate outside the browser and in the physical world. If we succeed, we meaningfully accelerate the development of physical AI and expand what these systems can safely and reliably do in the world. Our platform is designed to support many data formats, capture workflows, and customer needs over time. What we capture today is only the starting point. If you want to be an early hire at a company helping define how robots learn to work, keep reading. WHY TRACE - A world-changing problem: Physical AI will reshape entire industries, but it cannot scale without real-world data. Trace is addressing one of the core constraints holding the field back. - Early but real traction: Active pilots with growing demand on both sides of the marketplace. - Experienced, tight-knit team: Ex founders, PhDs, and operators with a track record of building and scaling together. - Real ownership: This is early. Your work will materially shape the product, systems, and direction of the company. - Foundational platform: We are building core infrastructure that enables many future products and use cases as physical AI evolves. THE ROLE You will be on the front lines of making Trace work in the real world. When data capture launches run cleanly, the company scales. When they do not, everything slows down. You will own the experience for partners. Everything from onsite onboarding and early success for new capture partners, traveling to partner sites to set up equipment, train workers, and ensure capture sessions run smoothly. Over time, you will turn early complexity into repeatable playbooks and help build the regional launch model that Trace scales on. WHAT YOU WILL DO - Plan each launch: schedules, shift timing, site constraints, access requirements, and shipping - Coordinate hardware logistics end to end (devices, cables, SSDs, chargers, labeling, backups) - Set up onsite “HQ,” test gear, charge devices, and prepare the workflow for the day - Train groups of workers (often 15–25 at a time) to use the equipment safely and correctly - Troubleshoot issues calmly in real time and coordinate remote support when needed - Monitor capture progress, manage data handling, and prevent small issues from becoming big ones - Build and refine checklists and SOPs so launches become repeatable and easier each time - Document what broke, what worked, and what we should change for the next site - Work from home when you're not traveling to capture sites WHAT WE’RE LOOKING FOR - 2+ years in start ups, marketplace ops, field ops, or similar roles - Extremely organized with strong follow-through - Calm under pressure and good instincts when things break - Strong communicator who can earn trust with site owners and frontline workers - Comfortable being on your feet, handling gear, and working in a range of environments, including factories and industrial environments - Collaborative, grounded working style and willingness to do unglamorous work well - Willing to travel frequently and work in new locations, typically 3–4 or more trips per month BONUS POINTS - Experience training adults in real-world settings (ops, safety, enablement) - Hardware setup experience or familiarity with device management concepts - Experience building processes, playbooks, and checklists from scratch