Data Collection Operator Jobs in New York (NOW HIRING)

Prolific

Prolific isn't just enabling AI innovation - we're redefining it. While foundational AI technologies are becoming commoditized, Prolific's human data infrastructure provides the high-quality, diverse data required to train the next generation of AI models. Through our platform, we empower researchers and companies to access a global, ethically curated participant base, ensuring cutting-edge AI research and training grounded in inclusivity and precision.

The Role

This is the first role of its kind at Prolific. You'll help build how we deliver physical-world multimodal data collection from the ground up - establishing the operating model, production standards and collection methodologies we can scale across future programmes.

As our Technical Program Manager for Multimodal Data Collection, you'll own the end-to-end execution of large-scale video, audio and multimodal data programmes - capturing and delivering thousands of hours of natural human activity through body-worn cameras, wearable devices and other recording hardware. You'll turn complex client requirements into real-world collection programmes that meet precise technical, quality and diversity requirements. That could mean coordinating participants, sourcing controlled filming locations, selecting and deploying hardware, designing natural activity scenarios and running onsite production.

This is a hands-on, highly operational role. You'll need to understand what it takes to reliably capture high-quality data in physical environments - from video and audio quality and multi-device synchronisation through to participant behaviour, consent, metadata, equipment and field logistics. You'll also own programme economics, understanding how participants, locations, hardware, staffing, processing and rework affect the cost, scalability and margin of each collection.

We're looking for someone equally credible reviewing a technical capture specification, running a production site, working through programme economics and sitting in front of a client.

What You'll Be Doing

• Own large-scale video, audio and multimodal collections from client brief and pilot through to onsite production, data processing and final delivery.
• Design the collection operation across participants, activities, locations, recording hardware, field teams, vendors, logistics and quality controls.
• Turn activity requirements into natural, repeatable collection scenarios and participant protocols that capture authentic behaviour without over-scripting.
• Translate technical specifications into capture protocols covering video and audio quality, device configuration, synchronisation, metadata and acceptance criteria.
• Own programme economics, including bottom-up costing, cost per accepted hour, collection yield, rejection and rework, hardware utilisation and margin.
• Run pilots and quality gates, resolving technical and operational issues before moving successful collection methodologies into scaled production.
• Lead client delivery, making clear recommendations around trade-offs between quality, coverage, timeline, cost and operational feasibility.

What You'll Bring to the Role

• Significant experience owning complex video/audio data collection, technical production or real-world capture programmes at scale - including the physical operation, not just project coordination.
• Experience running onsite or field-based operations involving participants, physical locations, recording equipment and production or field teams.
• Hands-on experience with video/audio capture and recording hardware, with a strong understanding of areas such as resolution, frame rate, audio quality, device configuration, multi-camera synchronisation and data integrity.
• Experience translating technical or research specifications into participant protocols, production workflows and measurable quality and acceptance criteria.
• Commercial ownership of operational programmes, including bottom-up costing, forecasting and the financial impact of rejection and rework.
• Experience delivering at scale against defined quality, diversity and acceptance requirements, while working directly with clients or senior stakeholders.
  Even Better if you have:
• Experience collecting human video, audio or multimodal data for AI/ML, computer vision, robotics or embodied AI.
• Experience with egocentric or first-person video, body-worn or wearable cameras and multi-camera recording.
• Experience coordinating controlled filming environments, participant recruitment, permits, equipment and external production vendors.
• Experience working with Product or Engineering teams on data ingest, metadata, file formats, batch processing or data transfer.
• Experience taking a new collection methodology from pilot through to thousands of hours of production data.

Why Prolific is a great place to work

We've built a unique platform that connects researchers and companies with a global pool of participants, enabling the collection of high-quality, ethically sourced human behavioral data and feedback. This data is the cornerstone of developing more accurate, nuanced, and aligned AI systems.

We believe that the next leap in AI capabilities won't come solely from scaling existing models, but from integrating diverse human perspectives and behaviors into AI development. By providing this crucial human data infrastructure, Prolific is positioning itself at the forefront of the next wave of AI innovation - one that reflects the breath and the best of humanity.

Working for us will place you at the forefront of AI innovation, providing access to our unique human data platform and opportunities for groundbreaking research.

Join us to enjoy a competitive salary, benefits, and remote working within our impactful, mission-driven culture. At Prolific, our compensation packages for eligible roles include base salary, equity, and benefits. Many roles also include the opportunity to earn a cash variable element, such as a bonus or commission. Each job posting shows a salary range that reflects the minimum and maximum target for new hires, based on the role's location as well as your skills, experience, and relevant education or training. Your recruiter will also be happy to share the specific salary range for your preferred location during the hiring process.

Website 

Youtube 

Benefits 

External Handbook 

Privacy Statement

By submitting your application, you agree that Prolific may collect your personal data for recruiting and global organisation planning. Prolific's Candidate Privacy Notice explains what personal information Prolific may process, where Prolific may process your personal information, its purposes for processing your personal information, and the rights you can exercise over Prolific use of your personal information.