Robot Wrangler

TSMG

San Francisco, CA

On-siteCareer-pivot friendly

Who this role is best for

Strong fit for detail-oriented candidates who operate in lab environments and follow precise procedures, with a preference for on-site work in San Francisco and a focus on robotics and AI testing.

Best fit for

Detail-oriented individuals who thrive in lab settings and follow written procedures meticulously.
— “Follows written procedures exactly and notices when a result looks off.”
Candidates with experience in manual robot operation or data collection for AI and robotics.
— “Experience collecting robot training data by teleoperation (VR headsets, leader-follower arms, or similar).”
People who can work independently after training and manage multiple tasks efficiently.
— “Works independently once trained, and asks questions early when unsure.”

Things to consider

This role requires full-time on-site presence in San Francisco.
— “Able to work on-site in San Francisco full-time.”
The position involves prolonged standing and movement around a lab environment.
— “Comfortable standing and moving around the lab for most of the day.”

How to stand out

Highlight experience with Linux command-line operations and file management in your resume.
— “Basic Linux command-line skills: running commands, moving between folders, and copying files between machines.”
Emphasize your ability to communicate clearly and document issues effectively.
— “Clear written communication. You can describe a problem on Slack so an engineer understands it the first time.”
Showcase your reliability and ability to stay alert during repetitive tasks.
— “Stays alert during repetitive work and reacts quickly when something goes wrong.”
Mention any prior work with robot arms, ROS, or similar systems to stand out.
— “Experience with robot arms or ROS.”
Demonstrate your ability to switch tasks quickly and use downtime productively.
— “Switch tasks quickly when a robot is down. Use downtime for setup, documentation, or other projects.”

Pace · SteadyCollaboration · LowAutonomy · HighDecision Impact · Individual

Derived from job-description analysis by Serendipath's career intelligence engine.

What success looks like

run model tests
reset the scene between trials
move files
keep people and equipment safe
set up and maintain the robots

Typical background

no degree or previous robotics experience

Skills & requirements

Required

Linux Command-lineAlertness During Repetitive WorkFollowing Written ProceduresClear Written CommunicationReliabilityComfortable Standing And Moving Around The Lab

Preferred

TeleoperationCloud Storage And ToolsTroubleshooting Simple Hardware And Software ProblemsPython Or Shell ScriptingRobot Arms Or ROSInterest In Joining Team Standups

Stack & domain

LinuxAWS S3PythonShell ScriptingRobot ArmsROSAlertnessQuick ReactionAttention To DetailClear CommunicationIndependenceReliabilityRoboticsAIData Collection

About the role

Original posting from TSMG via Lever

Role Overview
Our client is an early-stage robotics company based in San Francisco that develops AI models to control robots and tests them on real robotic systems in the lab.
As a Robot Wrangler, you will support the day-to-day operation of these robots. You will run tests of AI models, monitor the robot during operation, stop the test if something goes wrong, and accurately record the results.
You may also collect training data by manually controlling the robot. No degree or previous robotics experience is required — you will receive training on the equipment, software, and procedures needed for the role.
What you will do:
Run model tests. Download the latest model from cloud storage. Start test runs from the Linux command line.
Reset the scene between trials, and record whether each trial succeeded or failed.
Move files. Copy models onto the robot's computer. Upload logs, videos, and results to cloud storage (AWS S3
or similar).
Keep people and equipment safe. Watch the robot during every run. Press the emergency stop the moment it
does something unexpected.
Set up and maintain the robots. Stage equipment before each session. Power robots on and off, check cables
and cameras, and run basic calibration steps.
Keep records current. Log each session. Update our written procedures when a step changes.
How you'll succeed:
Read the procedure before each session. Ask questions before you start, not during.
Keep up with procedure changes for the systems you use most.
Arrive on time, with enough time to set up.
Keep the lab clean and organized so the data stays accurate.
Switch tasks quickly when a robot is down. Use downtime for setup, documentation, or other projects.
What we're looking for:
Basic Linux command-line skills: running commands, moving between folders, and copying files between
machines.
Stays alert during repetitive work and reacts quickly when something goes wrong.
Follows written procedures exactly and notices when a result looks off.
Clear written communication. You can describe a problem on Slack so an engineer understands it the first time.
Works independently once trained, and asks questions early when unsure.
Reliable. We want someone who will stay in this role long term.
Comfortable standing and moving around the lab for most of the day.
Able to work on-site in San Francisco full-time.
Nice to have:
Experience collecting robot training data by teleoperation (VR headsets, leader-follower arms, or similar). You
may also do this here.
Familiarity with cloud storage and tools, such as AWS S3 or the AWS command line.
Can troubleshoot simple hardware and software problems, and write bug reports an engineer can act on.
Data collection work in robotics, autonomous driving, or AI.
Past work as a robot operator, lab technician, or hardware test technician.
Some Python or shell scripting.
Experience with robot arms or ROS.
Interest in joining team standups and suggesting ways to make testing and data collection faster.

Source: TSMG careers (Lever)