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Salary: USD 125,000 - 150,000 / annual
Firestorm Labs, a Series B defense-tech company headquartered in California, is seeking a Facilities Operations Manager to oversee corporate headquarters and advanced defense drone mass-production operations in San Diego. This dual-focus role bridges corporate workplace management with heavily regulated hardware manufacturing floor operations.
Key Responsibilities:
Facility & Infrastructure Management: Direct daily maintenance, HVAC, electrical, plumbing, and structural upkeep for both corporate office and drone mass-production assembly spaces.
OSHA & Workplace Safety Compliance: Serve as primary Health & Safety officer; manage, document, and audit OSHA compliance logs, hazard communication standards, and Lockout/Tagout (LOTO) protocols.
Production Support: Ensure utility infrastructure (compressed air, specialized electrical drops, layout requirements) fully supports high-volume manufacturing machinery and drone hardware testing.
Vendor & Contract Management: Negotiate and oversee service contracts with HVAC technicians, janitorial staff, waste disposal handlers, and third-party facility engineers.
Emergency Preparedness & Security: Design and execute emergency evacuation plans, fire life-safety systems testing, and manage physical access controls consistent with defense-contracting workspace requirements.
Budget & Asset Tracking: Formulate and track operational budgets, capital expenditures (CapEx) for facility improvements, and maintain complete inventory records for capital assets.
The ideal candidate will blend corporate workplace service excellence with the structural discipline required on an active, heavily regulated manufacturing floor. Position is based in San Diego; relocation assistance available. Willingness to travel up to 5% as needed.
REQUIREMENTS:
- Bachelor's degree in Facility Management, Business Administration, Engineering, or related field (or 10+ years progressive experience in related field in lieu of degree)
- U.S. Citizenship required due to ITAR regulations and ability to obtain/maintain U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) security clearance
- 5+ years of facilities management experience (HVAC, plumbing, electrical)
- 2+ years directly supporting hardware manufacturing, aerospace, or industrial production environment
- Current or previous experience managing a team of facilities personnel
- Active OSHA 30-Hour General Industry Certification at hire
- Vendor Management experience: hire, negotiate contracts with, and oversee external contractors, service providers, and suppliers for cleaning, security, and specialized maintenance
- Experience with Building Automation Systems (BAS), preventative maintenance, Computerized Maintenance Management System (CMMS) software, and interpreting blueprint/CAD mechanical layouts
- Space Planning experience: oversee office relocations, workspace reconfigurations, seating arrangements, and physical asset inventory
- Budgeting & Finance experience: create and track operational and capital budgets, manage utility spending, and approve repair/equipment costs
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:
- Familiarity with ITAR and physical security protocols for defense contractors
- Experience with multi-state expansions and regulations
- Green building sustainability certifications (LEED, WELL, ENERGY STAR)
- IoT & Smart Building Integration understanding (internet-connected sensors, automated HVAC controls, smart security systems)
- Life Cycle Cost Analysis (LCCA) experience for equipment repair/replacement decisions
- Crisis Response Planning and advanced safety training beyond basic OSHA compliance
