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Data Annotation Manager Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Turing

Client Director, Frontier Data - US

Palo Alto, CA · On-site

$255K - $325K/yr

Demonstrated experience managing dataset generation or annotation for machine learning model evaluation and/or training * Familiarity with ML tools and data workflows (e.g., HuggingFace, LangChain ...

Waymo

Program Manager, ML Data

Mountain View, CA · On-site

Experience managing data annotation/labeling pipelines, either with in-house tooling or by managing third-party vendor relationships * Exceptional communication skills, capable of articulating ...

Abaka AI

Data Solutions Engineer

Mountain View, CA · On-site

$136K - $163K/yr

... Project Management, Operations, Research, GTM, and Engineering teams • Assist with dataset ... data annotation, and OTS datasets. Founded in 2021, the company is headquartered in Palo Alto, USA ...

Figure

Data Quality Partner Lead

San Jose, CA

$120K - $180K/yr

Direct experience managing data annotation, labeling, or content review vendors * Background at a ... frontier AI lab, autonomous vehicle company, or other organization where data quality at scale was ...

Figure

Data Quality Partner Lead

San Jose, CA · On-site

$120K - $180K/yr

Direct experience managing data annotation, labeling, or content review vendors * Background at a ... frontier AI lab, autonomous vehicle company, or other organization where data quality at scale was ...

Turing

Strategic Project Lead - Audio

San Francisco, CA

$200K - $250K/yr

... management, or technical operations - with exposure to AI/ML or data workflows * Domain background and experience in audio/speech AI, ASR/TTS, NLP, or multimodal data annotation * Familiarity with ...

Figure

Helix AI Engineer, Data Infrastructure

San Jose, CA · On-site

$126K - $165K/yr

... building data annotation and dataset management tools. Company : Figure is an AI robotics company that develops autonomous general-purpose humanoid robots. Founded in 2022, the company is ...

Figure

Helix AI Engineer, Data Infrastructure

San Jose, CA · On-site

$150K - $350K/yr

Experience building data annotation and dataset management tools. The US base salary range for this full-time position is between $150,000 - $350,000 annually. The pay offered for this position may ...

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All JobsData Annotation Manager JobsData Annotation Manager Jobs in California

Data Annotation Manager information

See California salary details

$30.6K

$95.9K

$169.7K

How much do data annotation manager jobs pay per year?

As of Jun 8, 2026, the average yearly pay for data annotation manager in California is $95,873.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $65,100.00 and $123,900.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are some common challenges faced by Data Annotation Managers, and how can they be addressed?

Data Annotation Managers often encounter challenges such as maintaining high annotation quality across large and diverse datasets, managing a distributed team of annotators, and meeting tight project deadlines. To address these, it's important to implement robust quality assurance processes, provide ongoing training for annotators, and establish clear communication channels. Leveraging annotation tools with built-in validation features can also help ensure consistency and accuracy. Building a positive and collaborative team environment further contributes to better outcomes and workflow efficiency.

What does a Data Annotation Manager do?

A Data Annotation Manager oversees the process of labeling and categorizing data used to train machine learning models. They manage teams of annotators, ensure data quality, develop annotation guidelines, and coordinate with data scientists to meet project requirements. Their role is critical in maintaining high standards of accuracy and efficiency, as well as ensuring that datasets are properly prepared for AI and machine learning applications.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Data Annotation Manager, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Data Annotation Manager, you need expertise in data labeling processes, quality control, and a solid understanding of machine learning concepts, usually backed by a degree in computer science or a related field. Proficiency with annotation tools such as Labelbox, Supervisely, or CVAT, as well as experience with project management systems, is commonly required. Exceptional leadership, attention to detail, and strong communication skills help manage teams and ensure high annotation accuracy. These skills are critical for delivering reliable labeled datasets, which are essential for building effective AI and machine learning models.

What is the difference between Data Annotation Manager vs Data Labeling Specialist?

AspectData Annotation ManagerData Labeling Specialist
CredentialsBachelor's degree in related field, experience in data managementHigh school diploma or equivalent, training in labeling tools
Work EnvironmentTeam management, project oversight, collaboration with data scientistsHands-on labeling work, using annotation tools, focused on data tagging
Industry UsageUsed in AI/ML projects for overseeing annotation teamsPerforms the actual data labeling tasks in machine learning workflows

The Data Annotation Manager oversees the entire annotation process, managing teams and ensuring quality, while the Data Labeling Specialist focuses on executing labeling tasks. Both roles are essential in AI/ML data preparation but differ in responsibilities and scope.

What are the most commonly searched types of Data Annotation jobs in California? The most popular types of Data Annotation jobs in California are:
What are popular job titles related to Data Annotation Manager jobs in California? For Data Annotation Manager jobs in California, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Data Annotation Manager jobs in California look for? The top searched job categories for Data Annotation Manager jobs in California are:
What cities in California are hiring for Data Annotation Manager jobs? Cities in California with the most Data Annotation Manager job openings:
Data Annotation Manager jobs near you
Infographic showing various Data Annotation Manager job openings in California as of May 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 95% Full Time, 2% Part Time, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 46% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 53% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $95,873 per year, or $46.1 per hour.
Data Annotator / Geospatial Annotation Specialist

Data Annotator / Geospatial Annotation Specialist

Aechelon Technology

South San Francisco, CA • On-site

$82K - $92K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement

Posted 19 days ago

Job description

Aechelon Technology, Inc. is a leading producer of 3D simulator content, including Geospecific visual/sensor databases and realistic 3D models. We seek people who share our passion for real-time computer graphics and commitment to our mission of helping make our Nation's pilots safer. We will give you a chance to work with some of the most talented people in the graphics industry.
The Data Annotator / Geospatial Annotation Specialist plays a critical role in the creation of high-quality training datasets used to develop and refine Aechelon's machine learning and computer vision models. This role supports both the Advanced Model Development Group and the Applied Real-Time Vision Group, ensuring datasets for object detection, segmentation, and classification are accurate, consistent, and production-ready.
The Specialist performs detailed vector annotation, image segmentation, and dataset preparation while adhering to strict quality standards. Because model performance is highly dependent on high-quality annotation, this role requires exceptional attention to detail and a strong understanding of geospatial imagery.
In addition to dataset creation, the Specialist will learn core machine learning concepts and gain experience operating inference tools and models within the DAML pipeline, becoming a direct contributor to model evaluation and workflow improvements.
Key Responsibilities
  • Create precise vector annotations and segmentation masks for training computer vision and object detection models.
  • Perform detailed image segmentation, manually labeling features across large and varied imagery datasets.
  • Follow established annotation guidelines and maintain consistency across global AOIs.
  • Validate and refine automated detection outputs; correct errors or incomplete detections.
  • Work with ML team to understand annotation needs, edge cases, and quality thresholds.
  • Learn how to operate model inference tools and assist in evaluating model performance.
  • Provide feedback on false positives/negatives, detection weaknesses, and annotation ambiguities.
  • Maintain structured documentation of annotation processes, datasets, feature definitions, and QA results.
  • Support improvements to dataset pipelines and annotation workflows through iterative refinement and testing.
  • Assist multiple DAML groups as needed, depending on dataset demands and model development cycles.

Required Qualifications
  • Background in GIS, Remote Sensing, Image Analysis, Digital Art, Photography, or related field (degree preferred but not required with strong experience).
  • Prior experience with image annotation, data labeling, GIS feature extraction, or segmentation workflows.
  • Ability to visually identify subtle features in imagery with extreme precision.
  • Strong analytical, organizational, and documentation skills.
  • Ability to work with large datasets for extended periods while maintaining accuracy and focus.

Required Skills and Tools
  • Adobe Photoshop (Advanced): Expertise in mask creation, polygon tracing, color differentiation, clean-up workflows, and segmentation editing.
  • GIS Tools (Intermediate+): Ability to work in QGIS, ERDAS Imagine, or Global Mapper for spatial visualization and annotation support.
  • Geospatial Data Handling: Ability to work with shapefiles, GeoPackages, raster datasets, and other formats used in ML workflows.
  • Python (Basic-Intermediate): Ability to run scripts, perform data checks, and assist with pre-processing tasks.
  • Documentation Tools: Proficiency using Jupyter Notebook and Git for tracking annotation notes and revisions.

Strongly Desired Skills and Tools
  • Experience creating training datasets for machine learning, object detection, or image segmentation models.
  • Familiarity with YOLO, PyTorch, or fast.ai (conceptual knowledge acceptable).
  • Ability to create simple scripts to automate annotation steps or pre-processing tasks.
  • Experience using ChatGPT or other LLMs to improve workflows, generate helper scripts, or automate documentation.
  • Understanding of geospatial features such as vegetation, buildings, vehicles, aircraft, or other runtime elements.

Reporting Expectations
The Specialist reports jointly to managers in the Advanced Model Development and Applied Real-Time Vision groups depending on project assignment. Regular updates are expected on dataset progress, annotation quality, workflow blockers, and model evaluation findings. The Specialist is expected to meet annotation quotas while maintaining strict accuracy and quality standards.
$82,000 - 92,000 / year
The above range is specific to CALIFORNIA and may not be applicable to other locations. Final compensation is based on factors such as the candidate's skills, qualifications, and experience.
We offer a very attractive compensation package including competitive base salary, company performance-based profit sharing, 401k, 100% employer paid health benefits (medical, dental, vision, life, std, ltd, and life insurance plans).
No relocation reimbursement provided.
This position description is not intended to be a complete listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee holding this position. Duties, responsibilities and activities may be changed or others may be assigned at any time by the Company with notice to the employee.
Aechelon Technology is an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to providing access and opportunities to individuals with disabilities. If you are an applicant who is unable to fully utilize/access our application process because of a disability, Aechelon Technology will provide a reasonable accommodation. Please send an email to hr_team@aechelon.com to request that accommodation, and please be sure to include a detailed description of your requested accommodation, your name and preferred method of contact.
This position description is not intended to be a complete listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee holding this position. Duties, responsibilities and activities may be changed or others may be assigned at any time by the Company with notice to the employee.
Aechelon Technology is an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to providing access and opportunities to individuals with disabilities. If you are an applicant who is unable to fully utilize/access our application process because of a disability, Aechelon Technology will provide a reasonable accommodation. Please send an email to hr_team@aechelon.com to request that accommodation, and please be sure to include a detailed description of your requested accommodation, your name and preferred method of contact.

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