Even advanced humanoid robots still need human supervision and Figure AI is willing to pay up to $45 an hour for it. The California-based startup, which builds machines for factories and warehouses, is currently looking for a night shift coordinator to monitor its robots at its Santa Clara facility.
This role involves monitoring robotic systems, managing the employees who work alongside them and responding when machines face technical problems. The position highlights how companies developing robots for industrial tasks continue to depend on human workers to manage daily operations.
According to the job listing on Figure AI official recruitment website, the shift runs from 10:30 pm to 7 am. The position is initially offered on a contract-to-hire basis, with the possibility of becoming a full-time role.
Robot Supervision Duties
The night shift coordinator will be responsible for keeping robotic operations running during overnight hours. This includes assigning tasks to human operators, checking machine performance and responding to technical problems.
When a robot stops working or behaves unexpectedly, the coordinator must assess the situation and decide whether operations can continue, need to be adjusted or should be stopped. The employee will also document equipment failures and coordinate repairs with engineering teams.
The role includes preparing handover reports for the next shift. These reports will cover overnight performance, technical issues and any problems that require attention from the incoming team.
Physical Work Requirements
The job involves more than watching robots through screens. The coordinator is expected to handle humanoid robots and related equipment weighing up to 50 pounds independently.
Candidates must be able to remain on their feet and move around the work area during shifts lasting more than eight hours, apart from scheduled breaks. The work also requires frequent bending, reaching and stooping, along with precise manual tasks while handling and maintaining robot hardware.
The company will provide a one-week training programme at its headquarters. The job listing also makes clear that the person will have responsibilities related to workplace safety and the supervision of staff working alongside the machines.
Pay and Work Schedule
Figure AI has listed an hourly pay range of $40 to $45 for the position. At eight hours of work per shift, this would amount to $320 to $360 before taxes and other deductions, assuming the employee receives the listed rate for all eight hours.
The shift begins at 10:30 pm and ends at 7 am, making it an overnight role. The contract-to-hire arrangement means the initial employment will be contractual, while a move to full-time employment may be considered later.
The listing does not specify how many coordinators the company plans to hire or the exact conditions for conversion to a permanent position.
What This Means
The job offers a simple example of how automation works in practice. A factory may use humanoid robots to move materials, handle equipment or perform repeated tasks. But if a robot stops midway through an operation, a human worker may still need to inspect it, identify the problem and decide whether it is safe to restart.
In this case, the coordinator acts as a link between the machines, the human operators and the engineering team. The role shows that introducing robots does not automatically remove the need for people. Instead, it can create jobs that involve operating, supervising and maintaining automated systems.
Human Role in Automation
Figure AI is developing autonomous humanoid robots for use in factories, warehouses and, eventually, homes. Its hiring requirement reflects the operational support needed when such machines are used in real working environments.
As robots take on more physical tasks, companies still need people to handle situations that machines cannot manage independently. These include unexpected equipment failures, safety decisions and coordination between different teams.
The night shift coordinator position therefore combines technical supervision with physical work and staff management. It also shows that the expansion of robotics can create new types of jobs alongside the automation of existing tasks.
