Data Collection Program Manager

Meta's XR Technology team is building the next generation of wearable devices, and the machine learning systems that power them depend on high-quality human data captured in controlled, purpose-built environments. Our onsite collection facilities produce the ground-truth datasets that train and validate perception, sensing, and interaction models ahead of hardware milestones.

As a Data Collection Program Manager, you will run onsite data collection programs based out of our primary capture facility, while coordinating collection activity at additional labs and remote or in-field participant sessions. You will translate engineering data requirements into repeatable collection protocols, lead the moderator teams who run capture sessions with participants, and operate the hardware, tooling, and quality systems that make each collection reproducible.

You will partner directly with the research scientists and engineers who consume the data - working alongside technical program managers to define requirements, resolve capture issues, and close the loop on dataset quality - and you will manage the external vendor relationships that supply participant recruitment and onsite staffing capacity. This is a hands-on, facility-based role: capture hardware, participants, and moderator teams are physically located at the primary facility, and day-to-day execution requires being present with them.

Collection windows are gated by hardware availability and downstream model training schedules, so success depends on disciplined planning, rigorous quality control, and sound judgment on trade-offs between scope, timeline, and cost.

Data Collection Program Manager Responsibilities:

Run end-to-end execution of onsite data collection programs at the Fremont capture facility, from requirements intake through dataset delivery and acceptance

Partner directly with research scientists and engineering teams to translate model and evaluation requirements into executable collection protocols, participant criteria, session designs, and acceptance criteria

Coordinate collection activity beyond the primary facility - including additional labs and remote or in-field participant collections - keeping protocols, tooling, and quality standards consistent across every location

Lead, schedule, and develop teams of onsite collection moderators and technicians who operate capture hardware and facilitate participant sessions

Build and maintain standard operating procedures, training curricula, and certification materials that allow new moderators to reach quality bar consistently and quickly

Establish and operate quality processes - including calibration routines, gold-standard checks, in-session validation, and post-collection audits - and drive measurable reductions in rework and data rejection rates

Convert one-off collections into repeatable, documented programs with predictable throughput and turnaround times

Set up, operate, and troubleshoot prototype and pre-release capture hardware, sensor rigs, and multi-device synchronization setupspartner with hardware and firmware engineers to triage and resolve capture failures

Manage day-to-day relationships with external vendors supporting participant recruitment and onsite staffing, including scoping, requirements handoff, performance tracking, and escalation

Align requirements, timelines, and budgets across engineering stakeholders, vendor partners, and facility capacitytrack spend against forecast and re-prioritize as hardware and training schedules shift

Serve as the primary point of contact for data consumers - communicating collection status, quality metrics, known limitations, and dataset documentation

Ensure collections meet participant consent, privacy, data handling, and safety requirements, partnering with legal, privacy, and research review partners

Track and report program health metrics - throughput, quality rates, schedule adherence, and budget consumption - to stakeholders at varying leadership levels

Minimum Qualifications:

Currently has, or is in the process of obtaining a Bachelor's degree in a directly related field, or equivalent practical experience. Degree must be completed prior to joining Meta4+ years of experience in program management, research operations, or technical operations, including direct involvement in onsite or lab-based data collection, user studies, or hardware testing programs

Hands-on experience with hardware - prototype devices, sensors, capture rigs, or test equipment - including setup, calibration, and failure triage

Experience coordinating or leading onsite operators, moderators, technicians, or contingent staff, including scheduling and day-to-day direction

Experience authoring standard operating procedures, training materials, or operational documentation for hands-on teams

Experience establishing quality control processes and using operational metrics to drive measurable improvement

Experience working with external vendors or staffing partners, including requirements handoff…