Darius Harris
San Francisco,CA
Summary
Visionary Operations Manager with a passion for building the unbuildable and scaling the unscalable. A mission-driven strategist with 7+ years of experience in early-stage and hyper-growth technology startups, driving business development, product innovation, and operational excellence. Adept at overseeing complex operational functions, implementing scalable processes, and leveraging technology to solve real-world challenges in newly regulated spaces. Combines leadership, strategic planning, and resource optimization to drive team collaboration, enhance efficiency, and achieve organizational benchmarks in fast-paced environments.
Overview
6
6
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Operations Manager | Robotaxi Service
Zoox
04.2024 - Current
- Oversee large-scale autonomous vehicle operations, leading commercial excellence, process engineering, training & quality, data analytics, and regulatory compliance across multiple locations.
- Manage and mentor a team of 102+ remote operators, optimizing workflows to enhance efficiency, reliability, and customer experience in Level 5 autonomous mobility services.
- Spearhead strategic initiatives that improve operational performance, achieving double-digit gains in uptime, service quality, and cost reductions through AI-driven analytics and automation.
- Develop and implement robust risk management frameworks, ensuring compliance with industry regulations and enhancing safety standards for AV deployment.
- Partner with engineering and product teams to drive automation improvements, refine operational tooling, and streamline testing methodologies, accelerating product readiness.
- Successfully launched driverless operations in major metropolitan areas, leading the deployment of the industry’s first fully autonomous robotaxi service.
- Act as a key stakeholder in executive-level strategy discussions, contributing to long-term roadmaps for technology deployment and market expansion.
Team Lead | Robotaxi Service
Zoox
04.2022 - 04.2024
- Led cross-functional teams in managing 70+ operators across multiple shifts, ensuring seamless execution of AV testing, deployment, and public service operations.
- Developed and optimized standard operating procedures, reducing system downtime and improving response efficiency for incident management.
- Conducted high-impact presentations and public relations engagements at global industry events, representing Zoox at CES, TED Talks, and the F1 Las Vegas Grand Prix.
- Designed and executed structured software and firmware testing campaigns, collaborating with engineering teams to accelerate troubleshooting and product iteration cycles.
Shift Lead | Robotaxi Service
Zoox
03.2021 - 04.2022
- As Chief of Watch, acted as the first point of contact for all troubleshooting related to Level 5 Autonomous Vehicles (AVs)
- Led risk assessment initiatives, mitigating critical safety concerns and establishing proactive strategies for real-time monitoring and intervention.
- Partnered with manufacturing teams to establish quality assurance protocols, ensuring vehicles met operational safety standards before deployment.
- Developed and executed operator training programs to enhance technical competencies, improving overall team effectiveness and adaptability.
R&D Test Lead
Zoox
06.2019 - 03.2021
- Conducted advanced testing of autonomous vehicle software and firmware, providing critical feedback to engineering teams to enhance system performance.
- Led structured test campaigns, defining key performance indicators to measure and improve AV reliability and safety.
- Assisted in onboarding and training a total of 60 new technical team members, improving team proficiency in autonomous vehicle operations.
Education
Bachelor of Arts - Graphic Design
Academy of Art University
San Francisco, CA11.2017
Certification
- Risk Management Professional (Petersen Training) [Jan 2024]
- Project Management Fundamentals (Petersen Training) [Oct 2023]
Timeline
Operations Manager | Robotaxi Service
Zoox
04.2024 - Current
Team Lead | Robotaxi Service
Zoox
04.2022 - 04.2024
Shift Lead | Robotaxi Service
Zoox
03.2021 - 04.2022
R&D Test Lead
Zoox
06.2019 - 03.2021
Bachelor of Arts - Graphic Design
Academy of Art University
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