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Operations Research Manager Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

We are looking for a Research Operations Program Manager to build and scale the systems that enable UX Research to operate with speed, quality, compliance, and product impact. This role sits at the ...

Job Summary The Research Manager supports informed policy development across the community and ... Understand the political, societal, legal, and operational implications of complex policy issues.

Operations Research Analyst

Fremont, CA ยท On-site

$107K - $127K/yr

Operations Research Analyst Job Duties: Building the data for service operation: * Collect and ... Conduct statistical analysis for cost management, project budgeting and operation performance.

Manage team of data analysts and research analysts to deliver high-quality research products, such ... Oversee day-to-day project operations, including project timelines, communication, processes, etc.

Clinical Research Manager

Stanford, CA ยท On-site

$124K - $153K/yr

Audit operations, including laboratory procedures, to ensure compliance with applicable regulations ... Research Management Group. * Engage in high-level outreach and networking opportunities ...

Operations Research Analysts

El Segundo, CA ยท On-site

$104K - $124K/yr

Operations Management * Business Administration * Industrial Engineering * Systems Engineering * Economics * Finance * Statistics * Mathematics * Data Analytics * Computer Science * Supply Chain ...

Operations Research Analysts

El Segundo, CA ยท On-site

$104K - $124K/yr

Operations Management * Business Administration * Industrial Engineering * Systems Engineering * Economics * Finance * Statistics * Mathematics * Data Analytics * Computer Science * Supply Chain ...

Showing results 21-40

Operations Research Manager information

See California salary details

$38K

$92.6K

$149K

How much do operations research manager jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 9, 2026, the average yearly pay for operations research manager in California is $92,576.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $65,600.00 and $114,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is the difference between Operations Research Manager vs Data Analyst?

AspectOperations Research ManagerData Analyst
Required CredentialsBachelor's or Master's in Operations Research, Industrial Engineering, or related fields; often certifications in project managementBachelor's or Master's in Statistics, Data Science, or related fields; certifications like Microsoft Excel or Tableau
Work EnvironmentTypically in corporate, manufacturing, or logistics settings; managing teams and projectsIn offices or remote; analyzing data sets and creating reports
Employer & Industry UsageUsed in supply chain, manufacturing, logistics, and consulting firmsCommon across finance, marketing, healthcare, and tech industries

While both roles involve data analysis, Operations Research Managers focus on optimizing complex systems and processes using advanced mathematical models, often leading teams. Data Analysts primarily interpret data to support decision-making through reports and visualizations. The roles overlap in data skills but differ in scope and strategic impact.

How does an operations research manager typically collaborate with cross-functional teams within an organization?

Operations Research Managers frequently work closely with teams from departments such as IT, finance, logistics, and production to identify operational challenges and develop data-driven solutions. They lead or participate in project meetings, translate complex analytical findings into actionable recommendations, and ensure that proposed models align with business objectives. Effective communication and the ability to explain technical concepts clearly are essential, as these managers serve as a bridge between analytical experts and decision-makers. This collaborative environment fosters innovation and ensures the successful implementation of optimization strategies.

What is an operations research manager?

Operations Research Managers are professionals who oversee teams that use mathematical modeling, data analysis, and optimization techniques to help organizations solve complex problems and make better decisions. They often manage projects that improve efficiency, reduce costs, and enhance overall performance in various industries such as manufacturing, logistics, healthcare, and finance. These managers translate business challenges into analytical models and guide their teams in implementing solutions that support organizational goals.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an operations research manager, and why are they important?

To thrive as an Operations Research Manager, you need advanced analytical skills, a solid grasp of mathematical modeling, and typically a master's or Ph.D. in operations research, mathematics, or a related field. Proficiency in optimization software, statistical analysis tools (such as MATLAB, R, or Python), and experience with data visualization systems is essential. Strong leadership, problem-solving, and communication skills set standout managers apart by enabling them to lead teams and explain complex findings to stakeholders. These capabilities are crucial for making data-driven decisions that optimize organizational efficiency and competitive advantage.
What are the most commonly searched types of Operations Research jobs in California? The most popular types of Operations Research jobs in California are:
What job categories do people searching Operations Research Manager jobs in California look for? The top searched job categories for Operations Research Manager jobs in California are:
What cities in California are hiring for Operations Research Manager jobs? Cities in California with the most Operations Research Manager job openings:
Infographic showing various Operations Research Manager job openings in California as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 74% Full Time, 21% Part Time, 3% Temporary, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 94% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 4% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $92,576 per year, or $44.5 per hour.

UX Research Operations Program Manager

Zoox

Foster City, CA โ€ข On-site

$123K - $147K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Life, PTO

Re-posted 19 days ago


Job description

We are looking for a Research Operations Program Manager to build and scale the systems that enable UX Research to operate with speed, quality, compliance, and product impact. This role sits at the intersection of research, product, data, legal, operations, IT, and vendor ecosystems.

The right person will be a strong cross-functional operator who can manage complex stakeholder relationships, understand how research moves through the organization, and turn fragmented workflows into durable systems. They will own the operational backbone of research: participant recruitment, vendor programs, research data governance, feedback pipelines, insight systems, and the mechanisms that help research drive product action.
In this role, you will...
1. Research Operations Infrastructure
  • Build and maintain the core systems, workflows, dashboards, documentation, and playbooks that support UX Research at scale.
  • Identify operational gaps across study intake, participant recruiting, data handling, feedback triage, and insight activation.
  • Create repeatable processes that help researchers work faster, more consistently, and with less operational friction.
2. Cross-Functional Program Management
  • Partner closely with Research, Product, Design, Legal, Ops, IT, BizApps, Data, Support, and external vendors.
  • Manage stakeholder alignment, resource coordination, communication of process changes, ownership transitions, and operational risk.
  • Build strong working knowledge of partner team workflows and use that understanding to connect people, systems, and decisions across the organization.
3. Participant Recruitment, Vendor, and Panel Operations
  • Own participant recruitment operations across internal and external participant pools.
  • Manage research vendors, recruitment platforms, fieldwork partners, participant databases, scheduling workflows, and self-service recruiting processes.
  • Improve recruitment speed, quality, reliability, and compliance while ensuring researchers can access the right participants for the right studies.
4. Customer Feedback and Insight Operations
  • Build and manage the systems that convert customer feedback and research findings into structured, visible, and actionable product signals.
  • Support feedback pipelines, dashboards, tagging taxonomies, AI-enabled classification, research repositories, and insight tracking workflows.
  • Help ensure that insights do not remain passive documentation, but are connected to owners, decisions, follow-up actions, or product calls to action.
5. Research Data Governance and Compliance
  • Manage workflows for PII, restricted research data, consent artifacts, NDAs, access control, and data retention.
  • Partner with Legal, Privacy, IT, Security, BizApps, and research stakeholders to ensure research data is handled responsibly.
  • Maintain clear documentation for data ownership, system access, compliance expectations, and operational handoffs.
Qualifications
  • 4+ years of experience in program management, research operations, UX operations, product operations, technical program management, or a related field.
  • Experience managing cross-functional programs across research, product, data, legal, operations, IT, or external vendor teams.
  • Working knowledge of UX Research workflows, including participant recruitment, study operations, data handling, and insight delivery.
  • Experience building scalable processes, tools, dashboards, documentation, or operational systems.
  • Strong stakeholder management, communication, and organizational skills.
  • Sound judgment in handling sensitive data, participant information, privacy, and compliance-related workflows.
Bonus Qualifications
  • Experience working in a UX Research, Human Factors, Product Experience, or Product Research organization.
  • Experience with research vendors, participant panels, research repositories, feedback systems, or insight operations.
  • Familiarity with tools such as Looker, Salesforce Data Cloud, Jira, Confluence, Figma, UserInterviews, Fieldwork, or similar systems.
  • Experience with AI-enabled feedback classification, tagging taxonomies, dashboards, or customer feedback pipelines.
  • Experience in autonomous vehicles, robotics, mobility, AI products, or other complex technical product environments.
  • Ability to "speak research, product, and systems" - connecting researcher needs, product decisions, and operational infrastructure.
$123,000 - $147,000 a year
Base Salary Range
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There are three major components to compensation for this position: salary, Amazon Restricted Stock Units (RSUs), and Zoox Stock Appreciation Rights. A sign-on bonus may be offered as part of the compensation package. The listed range applies only to the base salary. Compensation will vary based on geographic location and level. Leveling, as well as positioning within a level, is determined by a range of factors, including, but not limited to, a candidate's relevant years of experience, domain knowledge, and interview performance. The salary range listed in this posting is representative of the range of levels Zoox is considering for this position.
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Zoox also offers a comprehensive package of benefits, including paid time off (e.g. sick leave, vacation, bereavement), unpaid time off, Zoox Stock Appreciation Rights, Amazon RSUs, health insurance, long-term care insurance, long-term and short-term disability insurance, and life insurance.
About Zoox
Zoox is developing the first ground-up, fully autonomous vehicle fleet and the supporting ecosystem required to bring this technology to market. Sitting at the intersection of robotics, machine learning, and design, Zoox aims to provide the next generation of mobility-as-a-service in urban environments. We're looking for top talent that shares our passion and wants to be part of a fast-moving and highly execution-oriented team.
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Accommodations
If you need an accommodation to participate in the application or interview process please reach out to [emailย protected] or your assigned recruiter.
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A Final Note:
You do not need to match every listed expectation to apply for this position. Here at Zoox, we know that diverse perspectives foster the innovation we need to be successful, and we are committed to building a team that encompasses a variety of backgrounds, experiences, and skills.
We may use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to support parts of the hiring process, such as reviewing applications, analyzing resumes, or assessing responses and identifying potential inconsistencies or verification signals in application materials based on available information. These tools assist our recruitment team but do not replace human judgment. Final hiring decisions are ultimately made by humans. If you would like more information about how your data is processed, please contact us.
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