Senior Principal Data Annotation Team Lead

Position Overview: As the Senior Principal Data Annotation Team Lead at Motional, you will play a critical role in ensuring high-quality data annotation processes that directly support the development and validation of Motional’s autonomous vehicle systems. Reporting to the VP of Operations, you will lead your internal team and external vendors to streamline annotation workflows, optimize data throughput, and ensure the highest standards of labeled data accuracy. You’ll also foster collaboration across teams, enabling efficient integration of data into our autonomous vehicle testing and development pipeline.

What You’ll Be Doing:

• Build and maintain a high-performing team by:
  • Expertly coaching and mentoring your employees and/or people managers to succeed in their role and proactively supporting them in their development goals.
  • Coaching and mentoring your managers, direct reports, and other stakeholders on technical concepts.
  • Manage large offshore vendors 
  • Providing technical vision and thought leadership to drive performance.
  • Managing talent strategy initiatives such as identifying/planning for top talent, retaining critical knowledge, talent gaps, and potential backup resources with some guidance from your manager.
• Lead Data Annotation Operations: Oversee all annotation pipeline processes, ensuring timely, accurate, and consistent data labeling across projects. Coordinate with cross-functional teams, including engineering and testing, to ensure that data quality meets strict project requirements.
• Annotation Forecasting & Planning: Accurately predict and manage data annotation requirements, adjusting resources and timelines to meet the fluctuating demands of large-scale data annotation projects.
• Manage Quality Assurance & Standards: Implement robust quality control measures to ensure annotation accuracy and relevance. Develop and maintain clear metrics for annotation quality and continuously improve standards through regular audits and updates to workflows.
• Optimize Vendor Collaboration: Work closely with external vendors, setting and enforcing clear performance expectations to ensure their output aligns with Motional’s quality standards. Address feedback and challenges proactively to maintain optimal workflow.
• Drive Tool and Process Improvements: Identify areas where new tools and technologies can improve data annotation efficiency and quality. Partner with Engineering and Program Management to test, validate, and roll out new solutions, ensuring minimal disruption to ongoing projects.
• Cross-Departmental Coordination: Serve as the primary liaison for data annotation, ensuring alignment with autonomy leads and testing partners. Communicate data requirements, progress, and quality outcomes effectively across departments.

What We’re Looking For:

• Education & Experience: BA/BS in Computer Science, Data Science, Engineering, or a related technical field; or equivalent practical experience. 6+ years in a data-focused role, with experience in data annotation or data labeling pipelines preferred.
• Leadership: Demonstrated success in leading high-performing internal teams and managing large external offshore consulting partnerships, overseeing groups of 100+ professionals to drive strategic objectives and deliver results.
• Strategic and tactical deliverables: Balancing multiple strategic and tactical initiatives while and delivering innovative results that are aligned with the objectives of the organization.
• Technical & Analytical Skills: Proficiency in managing and executing data-centric projects with an understanding of annotation tools and labeling frameworks. Experience with data management software or data labeling tools (e.g., Supervisely, Labelbox) is advantageous.
• Project & Vendor Management: Proven experience working with outsourced workforces, including setting up metrics to monitor vendor performance, resolving conflicts, and driving accountability to meet deadlines and quality standards.
• Problem-Solving Orientation: Demonstrated ability to work in ambiguous, fast-paced environments, with a proactive approach to identifying operational challenges and implementing process improvements.
• Communication & Collaboration: Excellent communication skills, with the ability to present complex technical requirements in a clear, actionable manner for internal and external stakeholders. Experience working closely with engineering, product, and program management teams to align on shared goals.