Data Operations Manager Jobs in California

Our Mission

Reflection’s mission is to build open superintelligence and make it accessible to all. We’re developing open weight models for individuals, agents, enterprises, and even nation states. Our team of AI researchers and company builders come from DeepMind, OpenAI, Google Brain, Meta, Character.AI, Anthropic and beyond.

Role Overview

Data is playing an increasingly crucial role at the frontier of AI innovation. Many of the most meaningful advances in recent years have come not from new architectures, but from better data. In this role, the data operations you build will directly shape how our models perform on critical capabilities — agentic tool use, long-horizon reasoning and robust safety alignment. You'll work with world-class researchers advancing the frontier while building the operational infrastructure to scale these efforts.

What You’ll Do

- Develop a deep understanding of Reflection’s research, product and business roadmap and derive from these the data needs and sourcing strategies.
- Work closely with researchers to understand nuanced technical requirements, define quality bars, then orchestrate partnerships and data pipelines that meet them.
- Lead cross-functional efforts to maximize research velocity without compromising in the quality of data partnerships.
- Manage these partnerships including evaluating suppliers, negotiating agreements, and verifying deliverables.
- Develop deep knowledge of the broader data ecosystem to identify gaps and opportunities to innovate at the frontier.
- Combine the technical depth to understand what makes high-quality training data with the operational excellence to deliver it.
- Anticipate and resolve bottlenecks, risks and inefficiencies across data operations to maximize throughput and impact.

What We’re Looking For

- 6+ years of experience in business operations, strategy, venture capital, private equity or consulting. We will also consider high-trajectory candidates with fewer years of experience and an exceptional track record – often former startup founders.
- Have owned large ambiguous problems end-to-end and can break them down into clear actionable plans.
- Are comfortable engaging senior leaders, influencing decisions and driving alignment across teams.
- Thrive in fast-moving, high-pressure environments, bringing resourcefulness, adaptability and ideally a sense of humor to pair with the sense of urgency.
- Are highly analytical with strong intuition for what are the important questions, rigorous in investigating and clear in communicating insights to decision-makers.
- Can operate at all levels from discussing strategy and vision with leadership, to troubleshooting issues with individual contributors and external partners.
- Communicate clearly and collaborate effectively across technical and non-technical domains.
- Have experience with data analysis tools such as SQL, Python, Tableau, Excel or similar.
- Are genuinely curious about LLM training, and care deeply about the impact of AI on business, research and society.

Bonus Points

- A technical background such as a computer science degree and/or experience in engineering, product, data science or AI.
- Direct experience with data collection, labeling, or annotation for machine learning / AI systems.
- Worked with research teams at AI companies or research-oriented organizations.
- A track record of managing large numbers of diverse vendors and external contractors.
- A consulting background, with experience translating complex requirements into concrete deliverables.

What We Offer

We believe that to build superintelligence that is truly open, you need to start at the foundation. Joining Reflection means building from the ground up as part of a small talent-dense team. You will help define our future as a company, and help define the frontier of open foundational models. We want you to do the most impactful work of your career with the confidence that you and the people you care about most are supported.
- Top-tier compensation: Salary and equity structured to recognize and retain the best talent globally.
- Health & wellness: Comprehensive medical, dental, vision, life, and disability insurance.
- Life & family: Fully paid parental leave for all new parents, including adoptive and surrogate journeys. Financial support for family planning.
- Benefits & balance: paid time off when you need it, relocation support, and more perks that optimize your time.
- Opportunities to connect with teammates: lunch and dinner are provided daily. We have regular off-sites and team celebrations.