Driver – Data Collection (Contract)

Sama is supporting a professional services engagement with an automotive client to conduct structured real-world data collection using sensor-equipped vehicles. This project will collect high-quality driving data to support the development of advanced autonomous vehicle systems.

The field team will operate in a dual driver/co-pilot configuration to ensure safety, reduce fatigue, and improve data collection quality. We are hiring 3 Drivers to join this project team. 

This is a 4 months contract opportunity paying $25/hour. Sama will offer a Driver Incentive Program tied to completion of the full project duration.

Role Overview

Drivers will operate client-provided vehicles equipped with specialized sensors to capture structured driving scenarios across designated routes and locations in the Bay Area. Drivers will work closely with a co-driver during collection sessions and follow predefined protocols to ensure high-quality data capture.

Key Responsibilities

Vehicle Operation

• Drive sensor-equipped vehicles along predefined routes across the Bay Area.
• Operate vehicles with trailer hitching and reversing when required.
• Maintain safe driving practices and comply with all local traffic laws.

Data Collection

• Conduct daily driving sessions during peak sunlight hours (approximately 4 hours per day) to optimize sensor performance.
• Follow structured collection protocols to capture specific driving scenarios and objects.
• Monitor collection tools and systems to ensure successful capture.

Operational Support

• Assist with troubleshooting minor operational or equipment issues.
• Support setup and breakdown of equipment when required.
• Ensure safe operation of vehicles, sensors and surrounding environments during data collection.
• May include data upload of collected data
• Communication with Project Manager for list of target locations and routes for the coming day(s)

Qualifications

• Valid clean driver’s license
• Minimum age 25 years old 
• Proven experience driving with trailers, hitching and reversing (ability to provide a demonstrating short video)
• Comfortable driving for extended periods in urban environments
• Attention to detail and safety awareness

About Sama 

Sama provides high-quality training data that powers AI technology for Fortune 2000 companies such as Google, Walmart, Ford, Microsoft, and Marriott. We’re experts in data annotation, supporting text, 2D, 3D image, video, and sensor data for machine learning algorithms and generative AI models. Sama offers the highest quality SLAs in the industry, along with cutting-edge ML-assisted annotation tools, QA processes, and security and compliance standards.

Founded in 2008 on the belief that “talent is equally distributed, but opportunity is not”, Sama is driven by the mission to expand opportunities for those who are underprivileged. As a certified B-Corp, Sama has provided worker training programs to increase economic opportunity for more than 15,000 people from underserved communities. By connecting our customers with amazing talent in East Africa, we've impacted more than 69,000 workers and their dependents.

Today, our vision is to provide data scientists, ML engineers, and data operations teams with an indispensable, integrated platform for AI data preparation, labeling, and collection. 

For more information, visit www.sama.com.

More information can be found at:

• Featured in Forbes: How Ethical Is Your AI?
• Sama Honored on Inc. Magazine’s Annual List of America’s Fastest-Growing Private Companies — the Inc. 5000
• Reversing Poverty - Ted Talk by our founder Leila Janah

Our Culture:

Sama is quite unique. We are a technology company with a social mission. People that thrive in a high-growth environment, love working on the bleeding edge of technology, and really care about having a positive impact on the world are a great fit for the Sama culture. Our core values are One Team, One Goal - Deliver. Period. - Trust & Transparency - Customer First - Humanity.

Our Benefits:

Sama offers competitive compensation commensurate with experience and a full benefits package, including: medical, dental, and vision insurance, long-term disability insurance, life, and AD&D insurance, employer-matching Group RRSP, generous holiday and vacation policies, a monthly fitness stipend, monthly cell phone reimbursement and professional development opportunities. Our Talent Acquisition team would be happy to discuss our benefits packages with you in more detail during the interview process.

At Sama, we pride ourselves in being a diverse and equal opportunity employer.