Human Data Operations Lead – West Coast

Location:

Santa Clara, California, United States

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.

• 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.

• Bachelor’s degree in human-Computer Interaction (HCI), Cognitive Science, Psychology, Engineering, Operations, or a related discipline.
• 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.

• 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.

Base pay for this role ranges from $181,100 to $318,400, determined by skills, qualifications, experience, and location. In addition to base pay, employees may be eligible for discretionary bonuses, commission payments, and relocation assistance. Apple also offers an employee stock purchase plan and restricted stock unit awards, along with equity benefits subject to eligibility and plan terms.

Benefits include comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage; retirement benefits; discounted products and free services; educational reimbursement for qualifying tuition and other expenses. Additional benefits are available in accordance with Apple policies.

Apple is an equal‑opportunity employer 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. We believe accessibility is a fundamental human right and welcome a wide range of perspectives.