SoundHound AI
Senior Field Operations Specialist, Restaurant AI
SoundHound AI, Santa Clara, California, us, 95053
Senior Field Operations Specialist, Restaurant AI
Join to apply for the Senior Field Operations Specialist, Restaurant AI role at SoundHound AI.
Your Career, our Future—Together
Ready to join something big? At SoundHound AI, we bring voice, generative, and conversational AI together to transform how people interact with products and services. From voice-enabled vehicles to food ordering and customer support, our multilingual, omnichannel technology already impacts hundreds of millions worldwide.
The Opportunity We are seeking a highly experienced restaurant operations professional and field performance strategist to play a pivotal role in advancing the real‑world success of our Voice AI drive‑thru solutions. As a Senior Field Operations Specialist, you will not only observe and optimize system behavior in live restaurant environments but also lead operational improvement programs, influence AI product evolution, and serve as a trusted advisor to both client operations leaders and internal engineering teams.
You will operate as a subject‑matter expert in QSR drive‑thru performance, translating operational insights into measurable product improvements and client outcomes. This role combines restaurant operations mastery, data‑driven analysis, and field implementation leadership to ensure our AI delivers exceptional accuracy, speed, and guest satisfaction at scale.
What You’ll Do Operational Strategy & Leadership
Serve as the lead operational liaison between restaurant clients, AI product teams, and deployment teams.
Lead regional optimization initiatives, synthesizing insights from multiple locations to create best‑practice playbooks and performance benchmarks.
Establish and utilize the applicable diagnostic methodologies, observation techniques, and reporting standards.
Partner with client operations leaders to co‑design rollout strategies, training plans, and post‑launch success metrics.
Advanced Field Analysis & Insights
Conduct multi‑site performance audits to identify systemic trends impacting AI and operational efficiency.
Analyze drive‑thru metrics (e.g., order accuracy, average service time, AI engagement success rate) using structured data and field observations.
Translate findings into actionable business intelligence and prioritized improvement recommendations for both internal and client stakeholders.
Leverage root‑cause analysis frameworks (e.g., 5 Whys, Fishbone, Pareto) to quantify and resolve recurring issues.
AI Solution Optimization & Feedback Loop
Collaborate deeply with Product, Data Science, and Engineering to define key performance indicators (KPI) and validate improvements across software releases.
Proactively identify speech recognition edge cases, menu logic gaps, and behavioral patterns impacting AI comprehension.
Lead structured pilot validations and post‑release assessments, ensuring each iteration measurably improves real‑world reliability and guest satisfaction.
Serve as a subject‑matter expert in “voice AI in live operations,” contributing to cross‑functional design reviews and roadmap prioritization.
Operational Excellence & Change Management
Develop scalable frameworks for assessing and improving drive‑thru throughput, crew communication, and staffing alignment.
Partner with restaurant field trainers and general managers to drive adoption of AI‑enabled best practices.
Influence operational design decisions (menu flow, kitchen timing, guest communication) to maximize synergy between human and AI performance.
Support enterprise‑level rollout programs by standardizing feedback, identifying success predictors, and informing deployment readiness.
Reporting & Executive Communication
Deliver high‑impact reports and presentations summarizing operational performance, ROI, and improvement recommendations for executive stakeholders.
Maintain comprehensive documentation of field trials, learnings, and process improvements to inform future deployments.
Represent the Field Operations function in internal program reviews and customer‑facing debriefs.
Experience & Qualifications What You’ll Bring
Minimum 8 years of progressive experience in restaurant operations, field operations, or technology deployment within QSR or hospitality environments.
Proven success leading multi‑site operational improvement or technology rollout initiatives.
Experience collaborating with cross‑functional product and engineering teams to improve technology performance.
Prior exposure to voice AI, automation systems, or human‑machine interaction technologies strongly preferred.
Skills & Competencies
Deep understanding of QSR drive‑thru KPIs and operational levers (cycle time, order accuracy, crew efficiency, guest experience).
Strong analytical acumen with proficiency in interpreting performance dashboards, speed‑of‑service trackers, and customer sentiment data.
Exceptional stakeholder management and communication skills—able to distill technical insights into clear operational narratives.
Demonstrated leadership in change management and process adoption across diverse field environments.
Expertise in root‑cause analysis, field experimentation, and performance validation.
Skilled in Microsoft Excel, Google Workspace, and field analytics tools (e.g., timers, KDS data, POS exports).
Comfortable working in ambiguous, fast‑evolving product environments and shaping direction through evidence and persuasion.
Attributes
Trusted partner and subject‑matter expert to both clients and internal teams.
Proactive and resourceful with high ownership of outcomes.
Passionate about blending technology and human operations to redefine the restaurant experience.
Willingness to travel extensively (up to 80%) to client sites across assigned regions.
Workplace & Compensation This USA‑based position is available for work in the south of Chicago, IL, Indiana, Kentucky, and Missouri.
This is a 6‑month, fixed‑term employment opportunity, with the possibility to extend or convert to full‑time employment. The estimated salary for this position is $7,000 to $9,000 per month.
Job Details Seniority level: Mid‑Senior level
Employment type: Contract
Job function: Management and Manufacturing
Industries: Software Development
Let’s Start the Conversation Join SoundHound AI and collaborate with colleagues worldwide who are shaping the future of voice AI. Guided by our values—supportive, open, undaunted, nimble, and determined to win—we strive to build breakthrough AI experiences together.
We provide reasonable accommodations for individuals with disabilities throughout the hiring process and employment. To view our job applicant privacy policy, please visit https://static.soundhound.com/corpus/ta/applicantprivacynotice.html.
Discover more about our philosophy, benefits, and culture at https://www.soundhound.com/careers.
#J-18808-Ljbffr
Your Career, our Future—Together
Ready to join something big? At SoundHound AI, we bring voice, generative, and conversational AI together to transform how people interact with products and services. From voice-enabled vehicles to food ordering and customer support, our multilingual, omnichannel technology already impacts hundreds of millions worldwide.
The Opportunity We are seeking a highly experienced restaurant operations professional and field performance strategist to play a pivotal role in advancing the real‑world success of our Voice AI drive‑thru solutions. As a Senior Field Operations Specialist, you will not only observe and optimize system behavior in live restaurant environments but also lead operational improvement programs, influence AI product evolution, and serve as a trusted advisor to both client operations leaders and internal engineering teams.
You will operate as a subject‑matter expert in QSR drive‑thru performance, translating operational insights into measurable product improvements and client outcomes. This role combines restaurant operations mastery, data‑driven analysis, and field implementation leadership to ensure our AI delivers exceptional accuracy, speed, and guest satisfaction at scale.
What You’ll Do Operational Strategy & Leadership
Serve as the lead operational liaison between restaurant clients, AI product teams, and deployment teams.
Lead regional optimization initiatives, synthesizing insights from multiple locations to create best‑practice playbooks and performance benchmarks.
Establish and utilize the applicable diagnostic methodologies, observation techniques, and reporting standards.
Partner with client operations leaders to co‑design rollout strategies, training plans, and post‑launch success metrics.
Advanced Field Analysis & Insights
Conduct multi‑site performance audits to identify systemic trends impacting AI and operational efficiency.
Analyze drive‑thru metrics (e.g., order accuracy, average service time, AI engagement success rate) using structured data and field observations.
Translate findings into actionable business intelligence and prioritized improvement recommendations for both internal and client stakeholders.
Leverage root‑cause analysis frameworks (e.g., 5 Whys, Fishbone, Pareto) to quantify and resolve recurring issues.
AI Solution Optimization & Feedback Loop
Collaborate deeply with Product, Data Science, and Engineering to define key performance indicators (KPI) and validate improvements across software releases.
Proactively identify speech recognition edge cases, menu logic gaps, and behavioral patterns impacting AI comprehension.
Lead structured pilot validations and post‑release assessments, ensuring each iteration measurably improves real‑world reliability and guest satisfaction.
Serve as a subject‑matter expert in “voice AI in live operations,” contributing to cross‑functional design reviews and roadmap prioritization.
Operational Excellence & Change Management
Develop scalable frameworks for assessing and improving drive‑thru throughput, crew communication, and staffing alignment.
Partner with restaurant field trainers and general managers to drive adoption of AI‑enabled best practices.
Influence operational design decisions (menu flow, kitchen timing, guest communication) to maximize synergy between human and AI performance.
Support enterprise‑level rollout programs by standardizing feedback, identifying success predictors, and informing deployment readiness.
Reporting & Executive Communication
Deliver high‑impact reports and presentations summarizing operational performance, ROI, and improvement recommendations for executive stakeholders.
Maintain comprehensive documentation of field trials, learnings, and process improvements to inform future deployments.
Represent the Field Operations function in internal program reviews and customer‑facing debriefs.
Experience & Qualifications What You’ll Bring
Minimum 8 years of progressive experience in restaurant operations, field operations, or technology deployment within QSR or hospitality environments.
Proven success leading multi‑site operational improvement or technology rollout initiatives.
Experience collaborating with cross‑functional product and engineering teams to improve technology performance.
Prior exposure to voice AI, automation systems, or human‑machine interaction technologies strongly preferred.
Skills & Competencies
Deep understanding of QSR drive‑thru KPIs and operational levers (cycle time, order accuracy, crew efficiency, guest experience).
Strong analytical acumen with proficiency in interpreting performance dashboards, speed‑of‑service trackers, and customer sentiment data.
Exceptional stakeholder management and communication skills—able to distill technical insights into clear operational narratives.
Demonstrated leadership in change management and process adoption across diverse field environments.
Expertise in root‑cause analysis, field experimentation, and performance validation.
Skilled in Microsoft Excel, Google Workspace, and field analytics tools (e.g., timers, KDS data, POS exports).
Comfortable working in ambiguous, fast‑evolving product environments and shaping direction through evidence and persuasion.
Attributes
Trusted partner and subject‑matter expert to both clients and internal teams.
Proactive and resourceful with high ownership of outcomes.
Passionate about blending technology and human operations to redefine the restaurant experience.
Willingness to travel extensively (up to 80%) to client sites across assigned regions.
Workplace & Compensation This USA‑based position is available for work in the south of Chicago, IL, Indiana, Kentucky, and Missouri.
This is a 6‑month, fixed‑term employment opportunity, with the possibility to extend or convert to full‑time employment. The estimated salary for this position is $7,000 to $9,000 per month.
Job Details Seniority level: Mid‑Senior level
Employment type: Contract
Job function: Management and Manufacturing
Industries: Software Development
Let’s Start the Conversation Join SoundHound AI and collaborate with colleagues worldwide who are shaping the future of voice AI. Guided by our values—supportive, open, undaunted, nimble, and determined to win—we strive to build breakthrough AI experiences together.
We provide reasonable accommodations for individuals with disabilities throughout the hiring process and employment. To view our job applicant privacy policy, please visit https://static.soundhound.com/corpus/ta/applicantprivacynotice.html.
Discover more about our philosophy, benefits, and culture at https://www.soundhound.com/careers.
#J-18808-Ljbffr