Shift Lead, Robot Operations (2nd Shift)

Cambridge, MA · Full-time · Monday to Friday, 2:30 PM to 11:00 PM

About the Role

The Shift Lead runs the evening shift on our robot operations floor, leading a team of operators who collect the data that teaches our general-purpose robots new skills. You own the shift from handoff to close. You keep the team safe, keep the robots running, and ensure the quality of the collected data.

This is a working leadership role. You will operate robots alongside your team, diagnose a downed robot before calling for help, and coach operators on the details that separate usable data from wasted hours. It suits someone who has run a shift on a manufacturing or technical floor, likes solving hardware and software problems with their own hands, and wants a direct hand in building how a multi-site robotics operation runs.

Core Responsibilities

• Run the evening shift against the daily plan set by fleet coordination: robot and task assignments, operator role rotations, breaks, and other scheduled work
• Own the shift handoff: take status from the 1st shift during the overlap window, and close each shift with a written report
• Hold accountability for safety on shift: lead pre-shift safety briefings, enforce SOPs and stop-and-flag rules, and act as first responder and incident reporter
• Directly perform robot operation tasks, and develop proficiency as a Teleoperator through structured training
• Serve as first-line troubleshooter for robot hardware and software issues: run diagnostics, apply documented fixes, and escalate to on-call engineering with clear, reproducible reports when a fix falls outside procedure
• Keep the shift productive when a robot goes down by reassigning operators and balancing the priority of affected work
• Monitor data quality in real time: confirm collection follows task instructions, catch drift in operator technique, and flag sessions for review or re-collection
• Coach operators on procedure adherence and execution quality, address performance gaps in the moment, and route recurring patterns to team leads
• Own the feedback channel for evening operators, turning their observations and questions into clear, actionable items for the wider development team
• Identify gaps, ambiguities, or stale steps in SOPs and checklists, and propose specific changes
• File detailed bug reports and safety issues per established protocols
• Close the floor each night with robots stored and charging, equipment staged, and the workspace ready for the morning shift

Required Qualifications

• 4+ years in manufacturing, industrial automation, field service, or another hands-on technical operations environment, including time as a shift lead, shift supervisor, or senior technician
• Hands-on troubleshooting of electromechanical equipment, with comfort using hand tools and a multimeter, and the ability to follow written technical procedures
• Working comfort with software: Linux command line basics, reading logs, issue trackers, and shared documentation, plus the ability to pick up new internal tools with sparse documentation
• Clear written communication: shift reports and bug reports that someone who was not there can understand and act on
• A track record of enforcing safety protocols with a team, including calling a stop when something is wrong
• Sound judgment about what to resolve on shift and what to escalate, and the habit of escalating with the right information attached
• Availability Monday to Friday, 2:30 PM to 11:00 PM, onsite in Cambridge, MA, with flexibility for occasional extended hours

Preferred Qualifications

• Technician experience on robotic, mechatronic, or industrial automation systems
• Exposure to virtual reality, teleoperation, drones, or other remote-operated platforms
• Experience in data collection, labeling, or quality inspection where consistency of output matters
• Scripting experience (Python or Bash) for diagnostics or simple automation
• First aid and CPR certification
• Demonstrable, applied use of AI tools to improve workflows or operational efficiency

Physical Requirements

• Ability to stand and move through an active robot lab for extended periods
• Ability to work for extended periods in a virtual reality headset, with sufficient spatial awareness to operate robotic systems safely
• Comfortable working alongside moving robotic systems and wearing PPE as required
• Ability to lift 50 lbs

Walden Robotics offers a competitive total compensation program, including salary, annual cash bonus, company equity, company-subsidized insurance programs, 401(k) with company match, flexible PTO, daily lunch, and other benefits. The pay ranges noted on our posts are for salary only.

Walden Robotics is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, ancestry, color, family or medical care leave, gender identity or expression, genetic information, marital status, medical condition, national origin, physical or mental disability, political affiliation, protected veteran status, race, religion, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, or any other characteristic protected by applicable laws, regulations, and ordinances. If you need assistance and/or a reasonable accommodation due to a disability during the application or the recruiting process, please send a request to hello@waldenrobotics.com.

Walden Robotics participates in E-Verify. If you receive an offer of employment from Walden, you will need to go through the E-Verify process of digital verification of your employment authorization documents as provided on the Form I-9. Participation in E-Verify does not limit your right to work and verification will only be completed after you become an employee with Walden Robotics.

At Walden Robotics, we envision a world where general-purpose robots dramatically improve the quality of life for all people—supporting us at home, at work, in factories, on farms, and beyond. To accomplish this, we are building a team of exceptional professionals who combine world-class technical skills with creative vision, grounded in humility and collaboration.