Human Data Operations Lead - West Coast

Santa Clara, California, United States Hardware Description Apple’s AI/ML Data Operations group is seeking a Human Data Operations Lead. The candidate will join a team of innovative scientists and engineers to develop a new generation of consumer machine learning features. The role’s primary function is to support the planning, site management, and execution of large-scale human user studies and data collection efforts that train, validate, and evaluate our ML models. Responsibilities Assist in the design and execution of human data collection studies to provide reliable, high-quality data for ML model training and prototype evaluation. Partner with internal and external groups to develop study protocols, operational plans, budgets, and schedules for consumer ML user studies. Manage the day-to-day execution, facility operations, and logistics of human studies at designated data collection sites. Serve as a conduit between ML development, data engineering, and on-site execution teams to ensure data collection aligns perfectly with ML quality objectives and use cases. Collaborate with team members to communicate study progress, participant throughput, results, schedule, and budget to the broader project team. Monitor the real-time quality, privacy compliance, and completeness of datasets being returned from active user studies. Train external collaborators, vendors, and on-site staff on exact study procedures, hardware handling, and strict privacy protocols, while continuously monitoring their performance. Extended domestic travel to vendor and study sites is required. Minimum Qualifications Bachelor’s degree in HCI, Cognitive Science, Psychology, Engineering, Operations, or equivalent combination of education and relevant experience. Experience conducting, managing, or coordinating human user studies, data collection operations, or behavioral research in an industry or academic setting. Able to travel extensively within the US to oversee various collection sites. Preferred Qualifications 10+ years of industry experience in site management, user research operations, or project logistics. Experience conducting human studies specifically for consumer electronics, software features, or machine learning data collection (e.g., computer vision, audio, or gesture recognition). Familiarity with handling sensitive human data and navigating strict user privacy and consent protocols. Detail-oriented and highly organized with a proven track record of managing complex operational logistics. Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to interact comfortably with both everyday study participants and highly technical engineering teams. At Apple employees also have the opportunity to become an Apple shareholder through participation in Apple’s discretionary employee stock programs. Apple employees are eligible for discretionary restricted stock unit awards, and can purchase Apple stock at a discount if voluntarily participating in Apple’s Employee Stock Purchase Plan. You’ll also receive benefits including comprehensive medical and dental coverage, retirement benefits, a range of discounted products and free services. For formal education related to advancing your career at Apple, reimbursement for certain educational expenses — including tuition — is available. Additionally, this role might be eligible for discretionary bonuses or commission payments as well as relocation. Learn more about Apple Benefits. Base pay for this role is between $184,700 and $324,800, depending on skills, qualifications, experience, and location. Apple employees may also receive discretionary stock units and may purchase stock at a discount. Eligibility for bonuses or commission and relocation assistance varies. Apple is an equal opportunity employer that is committed to inclusion and diversity. We seek to promote equal opportunity for all applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, veteran status, or other legally protected characteristics. Learn more about your EEO rights as an applicant. At Apple, we believe accessibility is a fundamental human right. You’ll find that idea reflected in everything here — in our culture, our benefits and our digital tools. By welcoming as many perspectives as possible, we help you build a career where you feel like you belong. Learn about accessibility in Apple’s workplace. Learn about reasonable accommodations for job applicants. Apple accepts applications to this posting on an ongoing basis. #J-18808-Ljbffr Apple