Robot Operations Site Lead

HireArt is helping our client find a Robot Operator Site Lead to serve as the onsite leadership presence during active robot deployment at a manufacturing facility in the Lexington, KY area. This role is responsible for the day-to-day execution, safety, and oversight of a small team of robot operators working in a live industrial environment. In this role you'll perform operator functions while also owning shift structure, team accountability, and real-time coordination with the team. We're looking for a working leader who has experience working on manufacturing or industrial automation floors, understands how structured operations function in practice, and is ready to be the go-to person when issues arise. As a Robot Operator Site Lead, you will: Lead daily toolbox talks and pre-shift safety briefings with the onsite operator team. Own shift scheduling and daily operator assignments, ensuring two-person coverage is maintained for all robot operation sessions. Generate and distribute end-of-day shift reports, capturing session outcomes, issues logged, and follow-up items. Directly perform robot operation tasks, including Safety Operator and Laptop Operator functions, and develop proficiency as a Teleoperator through structured training. Oversee and directly perform task setup and teardown tasks, such as moving equipment into position and setting up support equipment and documentation equipment. Oversee the work of onsite operators: coach on procedure adherence, monitor execution quality, and address performance gaps in real time. Enforce compliance with established SOPs and checklists; identify gaps, ambiguities, or stale procedures and escalate recommended changes. Serve as the primary point of contact between the onsite team and the remote Robot Ops leadership team — escalate issues, communicate status, and participate in triage of operational challenges and tasks. Coordinate with deployment facility staff on process status, shift handovers, access logistics, and day-to-day operational needs Coordinate the timely filing of detailed bug reports and safety issues per established protocols. Direct experience working in a factory, manufacturing, or industrial automation environment Prior experience in a team lead, supervisor, or senior operator role Strong verbal and written communication skills; able to write clear shift reports, bug reports, and status updates without prompting Comfortable operating within structured safety protocols and enforcing them with a team Able to identify when a process isn't working and communicate it clearly upward

Preferred Qualifications:

Exposure to robotics systems, virtual reality, teleoperation, or automation equipment operation Familiarity with structured documentation practices: SOPs, checklists, shift logs Experience coordinating with external or customer-facing facility stakeholders Comfort learning new technical tools quickly (e.g., fleet dashboards, scheduling tools, issue trackers) Physical Requirements Ability to stand and move through an active factory floor for extended periods Comfortable working in an industrial environment alongside machinery and automated equipment Able to wear and use PPE as required by the facility (safety glasses, safety-toe footwear, ear protection, etc.) Ability to lift 50 lbs

Benefits:

Pre-tax commuter benefits Employer (HireArt) subsidized Healthcare Benefits Flexible Spending Account for healthcare-related costs HireArt covers all costs for short- and long-term disability and life insurance 401k package

Commitment:

This is a full-time, 12-month contract position staffed via HireArt. This position will be onsite and available to candidates who are local to the Lexington, KY area. HireArt values diversity and is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are interested in every qualified candidate who is eligible to work in the United States. Unfortunately, we are not able to sponsor visas or employ corp-to-corp.