Facilities Operations Manager

Firestorm; San Diego (CA); On-site; USD 125,000 - 150,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, and vision plans

401(k) Retirement Savings Plan

Equity grants

Unlimited PTO

Generous holiday calendar

Parental Leave

Lifestyle Spending Account

HSA

Job summary

Firestorm Labs is seeking a highly skilled Facilities Operations Manager to oversee our San Diego headquarters and advanced defense drone production environment. You will drive daily maintenance, safety compliance, and security controls on a regulated hardware floor.

The role blends corporate workplace service with disciplined facility management, requiring hands-on leadership of HVAC, electrical, plumbing, and infrastructure, plus budget tracking and vendor management.

Qualifications

• Bachelor degree required or 10+ years related experience.
• Experience in a hardware manufacturing or aerospace environment preferred.
• Active OSHA 30-Hour General Industry Certification

Responsibilities

• Direct daily maintenance, HVAC, electrical, plumbing and building upkeep.
• Lead OSHA compliance, audits, hazard communication and LOTO protocols.
• Support high-volume manufacturing with utility infrastructure readiness.
• Negotiate and manage service contracts with vendors and contractors.
• Design and implement emergency plans and security controls.
• Develop and track operating budgets and capital expenditures.
• Oversee space planning and asset inventory management.

Skills

Facility management

HVAC

Electrical systems

Budgeting

Team leadership

OSHA compliance

Vendor management

Building Automation Systems

Education

Bachelor's degree in Facility Management / Engineering or related

10+ years relevant experience in lieu of degree

Tools

CMMS

CAD/BIM drawings

BAS

Job description

Firestorm Labs is seeking a highly skilled and safety-conscious Facilities Operations Manager to oversee our corporate headquarters and advanced defense drone mass-production environment. This dual-focus role is responsible for ensuring peak operational uptime of building infrastructure while rigorously enforcing OSHA compliance, workplace health and safety protocols, and defense-grade physical security controls. The ideal candidate will blend corporate workplace service excellence with the structural discipline required on an active, heavily regulated hardware manufacturing floor.

What You’ll Do

• Facility & Infrastructure Management: Direct daily maintenance, HVAC, electrical, plumbing, and structural upkeep for both the corporate office and drone mass-production assembly spaces.
• OSHA & Workplace Safety Compliance: Serve as the primary Health & Safety officer; manage, document, and audit all OSHA compliance logs, hazard communication standards, and Lockout/Tagout (LOTO) protocols.
• Production Support: Ensure utility infrastructure (compressed air, specialized electrical drops, and 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 a defense-contracting workspace.
• Budget & Asset Tracking: Formulate and track operational budgets, capital expenditures (CapEx) for facility improvements, and keep complete inventory records for capital assets.
• Perform other duties as directed

Required Qualifications

• Bachelors degree in Facility Management, Business Administration, Engineering field or other related field. In lieu of a degree 10 years of progressive experience is required in the related field.
• U.S. Citizenship required due to ITAR regulations & the ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) security clearance.
• 5+ years of facilities management experience (HVAC, plumbing, electrical)
• 2+ years directly supporting a hardware manufacturing, aerospace, or industrial production environment.
• Current or previous experience managing a team of facilities personnel
• Have an active OSHA 30-Hour General Industry Certification at hire
• Experience with Vendor Management:-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 systems and interpreting blueprint/CAD mechanical layouts.
• Experience with Space Planning-Oversee office relocations, workspacereconfigurations, seating arrangements, and general inventory of physical assets
• Experience with Budgeting & Finance-Creat e and track operational and capital budgets, manage utility spending, and approve repair or equipment costs

Preferred Qualifications

• Familiar with ITAR and physical security protocols for defense contractors
• Experience with multi-state expansions and regulations
• Experience with green building sustainability-LEED, WELL, or ENERGY STAR certifications to minimize environmental impact.
• Experience with IoT & Smart Building Integration-Understanding internet-connected sensors, automated HVAC controls, and smart security systems.
• Experience with Life Cycle Cost Analysis (LCCA)-Financial forecasting skills to determine whether to repair or replace costly equipment based on long-term value rather than short-term fixes.
• Experience with Crisis Response Planning-Advanced safety training beyond basic OSHA compliance, including business continuity and disaster recoverystrategies.

About Firestorm

Firestorm is a California-headquartered defense-tech company building expeditionary advanced manufacturing systems (xCell), Group 1-3 modular Uncrewed Aircraft Systems (Tempest), and Group 1 quadcopter Uncrewed Aircraft Systems (Squall, produced via the xCell manufacturing platform). We are 150 employees, Series B, and growing the Mission Success function from the ground up to deliver white-glove fielding, sustainment, and customer success for the operators who decide vendor credibility in the first 72 hours of operational use. Our Mission Success function is Warfighter First, Led by Warfighters — the team that fields the system is the team that fielded systems like it.

Work Environment

• Position is based in San Diego, CA at Firestorm Headquarters
• We welcome candidates who are local or open to relocating; relocation assistance is available and may be included in the offer package where appropriate.
• Willingness and ability to travel up to 5% of the time as needed

Compensation

• Base salary: $125,000 - $150,000 base, commensurate with experience
• Equity: Meaningful equity grant in a growth-stage defense technology company

The posted salary range reflects an estimate based on a variety of compensation factors, including but not limited to relevant experience, education, certifications, specialized skills, geographic location, and business needs. Actual compensation may vary, and this range is subject to change as our compensation structure or market conditions evolve.

Benefits & Perks

Our culture fosters collaboration, respect, and trust, empowering passionate people to do their best work. We offer a competitive salary, comprehensive benefits, and opportunities for career growth. In addition to an opportunity to take part in an innovative, collaborative and fast-growing business with a highly motivated and skilled team, we also take pride in taking care of our employees. Here are just a few ways that we show our appreciation:

• We offer comprehensive medical, dental, and visions plans
• 401(k) Retirement Savings Plan to invest in your long-term retirement goals
• Equity grants for new hires
• Unlimited PTO
• Extremely generous company holiday calendar, including holiday hiatuses in July & December.
• Generous Parental Leave
• Lifestyle Spending Account
• FSA
• DCFSA
• HSA
• Hospital Indemnity insurance
• Critical Illness insurance
• Accident insurance
• Basic Life/AD&D, short-term and long-term disability insurance, 100% covered by Firestorm. Plus, the option to purchase additional life insurance for you and your family.
• Mental Health Resources: We provide free mental health resources 24/7 including therapy and more. Additional work-life services, such as free legal and financial support, are available to you as well.

Export Control Compliance

To conform to U.S. government export control regulations, including the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) and Export Administration Regulations (EAR), you must be a U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident of the U.S., protected individual as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3), or otherwise eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State or U.S. Department of Commerce.

Equal Opportunity Statement

Firestorm is an equal opportunity employer, committed to creating a diverse and inclusive workplace, and upholding equitable hiring practices. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic under federal, state, or local law, including those with a criminal history, in a manner consistent with the requirements of applicable state and local laws, including the CA Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance. We actively encourage members of recognized minorities, women, Veterans, and those with disabilities to apply, and we work to create a welcoming and supportive environment for all applicants throughout the interview process.

Firestorm is committed to fostering an inclusive and accessible work environment. If you require accommodations or assistance during the application process, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us at [e-mail] so we can provide the support you need.