Data Operations Lead

About Us:

Founded in 2021, Axion is at the forefront of transforming product quality and customer satisfaction in manufacturing. Our cutting-edge AI-powered platform empowers manufacturers to swiftly identify, thoroughly investigate, and effectively resolve quality issues while simultaneously elevating customer experiences and outcomes.

As trailblazers in end-to-end quality intelligence, we're setting new industry standards. Our innovative approach enables industrial, aerospace, consumer, and medtech manufacturers to harness the power of quality and post-market data, driving down costs and boosting business performance.

Our vision extends beyond mere problem-solving; we're committed to reshaping the future of manufacturing. By seamlessly integrating advanced AI technology with deep industry expertise, Axion is paving the way for smarter, safer, and more efficient production processes across diverse sectors.

Backed by leading investors, including Bessemer Venture Partners, Amplo, Boeing, and RTX Ventures, Axion is poised to lead the quality revolution in manufacturing.

About the Role:

We are seeking a Data Operations Lead to own the performance, structure, and scalability of Axion’s global data operations.

This is a highly cross-functional, strategic role at the intersection of data excellence and operational leadership. The ideal candidate blends the structured problem-solving and analytical rigor of top-tier consulting with the executional drive and adaptability of a startup operator.

You’ll be responsible for setting the vision and operational rhythm for Axion’s data organization, ensuring quality, efficiency, and alignment with the broader business.

Key Responsibilities:

• Lead Global Data Operations: Oversee and scale a data operations team based in India, ensuring quality, throughput, and accountability across projects.

• Build Systems & Processes: Design and implement data workflows, reporting frameworks, and SLAs that enable consistent, high-quality delivery at scale.

• Bridge Data & Business: Translate business objectives into operational KPIs and data requirements; partner closely with Product, Engineering, and Solutions teams to align on priorities.

• Operational Analytics: Build visibility into productivity, error rates, and efficiency — using dashboards, root-cause analyses, and continuous improvement frameworks.

• Leadership Development: Mentor and grow team leads in India to build a high-performance management layer; foster a culture of ownership, clarity, and speed.

• Cross-Border Execution: Act as the connective tissue between U.S. leadership and India-based operations — ensuring communication, governance, and alignment.

• Strategic Projects: Lead special initiatives related to data quality, automation, and vendor optimization to drive operational leverage and margin improvement.

Requirements:

• 6+ years of experience across data operations, business operations, or strategy, ideally within high-growth tech or AI-driven environments.

• Background in top-tier management consulting (McKinsey, Bain, or BCG) and/or startup operations with a track record of scaling complex systems.

• Experience managing large distributed or offshore teams (50+ people, ideally India-based).

• Strong analytical and quantitative mindset, comfortable with dashboards, KPIs, and process optimization.

• Deep understanding of data workflows (collection, labeling, QA) and tooling (e.g., Labelbox, Scale, AWS, or custom pipelines).

• Proven ability to operate autonomously, influence cross-functional stakeholders, and drive clarity amid ambiguity.

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills; able to engage confidently with executives and technical leaders.

Who You Are:

You’re a builder and operator who thrives in fast-moving, high-accountability environments. You take pride in getting things done — thoughtfully, efficiently, and without drama. You’re energized by ambiguity, skilled at bringing clarity, and comfortable flexing between strategy and execution.

You value feedback — giving it, receiving it, and acting on it — and you see collaboration as a competitive advantage, not a burden. You’re low-ego but high-agency: you care about winning as a team more than being right individually. You move quickly, communicate directly, and make decisions grounded in impact and data.

You don’t need constant direction — you create momentum. You take ownership for outcomes, and you expect the same from those around you.

How We Operate:

We move fast, work smart, and hold ourselves to a high bar. Axion isn’t a 9–5 — it’s a place for people who take pride in their craft and are motivated by meaningful work. We respect time off and boundaries, but we’re also realistic: hard problems sometimes require weekend pushes or late-night thinking sessions. We support that balance — intensity with respect for recharge.

We stay highly collaborative and connected throughout the day — much of our communication happens over Slack. We move quickly, share feedback often, and keep discussions open so decisions and context flow freely. If you value crisp communication, rapid iteration, and a steady hum of collaboration, you’ll fit right in.

We:

• Collaborate deeply. Feedback is part of how we build — everyone has a voice, and ideas win on merit.

• Leave ego at the door. Titles don’t define value; contribution does.

• Bias toward action. We iterate fast and favor progress over perfection.

• Communicate with clarity. Direct, transparent, and always in service of the mission.

• Act like owners. Everyone is accountable for outcomes, not just tasks.

• Sustain excellence. We push hard but don’t glorify burnout — we’re in this for the long game.

If you want to help shape a company redefining how manufacturing operates — and you thrive in a culture that rewards ownership, speed, and candor — you’ll feel at home here

What We Offer:

• Work with cutting-edge AI technology making a tangible impact in manufacturing

• Collaborative, mission-driven team and supportive leadership

• Generous time off

• Competitive compensation, equity, and benefits

• Lunch stipend…. And much more

Ready to drive the future of manufacturing with AI? Apply today to join our team and help us build the category-defining platform for quality intelligence.

Axion is an Equal Opportunity / Affirmative Action employer committed to diversity in the workplace. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, age, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, gender identity, or any other factor protected by applicable federal, state, or local laws.