Operations Associate (Automation & Systems Engineering)

Paces (YC S22); New York (NY); On-site; USD 90,000 - 105,000; Full time

Job summary

Paces, a leader in climate-positive green infrastructure, seeks an AI- and automation-obsessed Operations Associate for its Operations & Finance team. This role involves optimizing operational processes for scalability while supporting the overall growth of impactful projects aimed at transforming the built environment.

Benefits

Competitive equity compensation

401(k) match

Health, dental and vision insurance

Paid company holidays & PTO

Hybrid work flexibility

Qualifications

• 1–3+ years in business operations or automation-focused roles.
• Proven experience with implementing automation tools.
• Tech-forward mindset.

Responsibilities

• Own and improve core operational processes.
• Manage daily operations including office and team support.
• Implement and maintain automations.

Skills

AI implementation

Automation tools

Organizational skills

Communication

Problem-solving

Education

Business Operations experience (1–3+ years)

Tools

Zapier

Google Apps Script

Python

SQL

Job description

In the next 30 years, the world will transform every part of the built environment to be climate positive green infrastructure. Knowing what, where, and how to build infrastructure like solar farms is one of the great opportunities of our time. However, there are problems!

The Problem

80% of clean energy projects that developers start never actually get built because most projects are started without deep due diligence on zoning and interconnection due to the cost of collecting that data. This means $17B worth of canceled projects per year.

Our Solution

Paces is software for green infrastructure developers to identify the best places to build and manage their projects. First we collect environmental, permitting, zoning, energy grid data from various different sources; then we analyze the data and use AI to identify the best places for developers to build their next projects.

Our Team

We are building a team where people can proudly say their time at Paces is the most impactful, meaningful work of their career. Our amazing team in Brooklyn, New York includes incredible team members from tech companies like Facebook, AWS, DataDog, and Rent the Runway as well as from industry leaders like NexAmp, Total Energies, Tesla, and NASA.

Paces is growing rapidly and looking for exceptional people to join who want to have a massive positive climate impact while building a great culture! We are looking for an AI- and automation-obsessed Operations Associate to join our Operations & Finance team, reporting directly to the Chief of Staff (Head of Operations & Finance).

What You’ll Achieve

• Own and improve core operational processes across the business—finding scalable, less manual ways to get work done and help move key priorities forward without additional headcount.

• Identify, implement, and maintain automations (e.g., AI tools, low-code platforms, workflows) to eliminate repetitive tasks.

• Manage daily operations, from office and team support to recruiting coordination, billing follow-up, and event planning.

• Keep information and systems clean, organized, and up-to-date to enable team members to find what they need and operate effectively.

Requirements

• 1–3+ years of experience in a business operations, generalist, or automation-focused role in a fast-paced environment (preferably at a startup).

• Proven experience implementing AI or low/no-code automation tools (e.g., BI systems, CRM workflows, Zapier, Google Apps Script, Retool).

• Strong organizational and prioritization skills; you can manage many workstreams without dropping the ball.

• Tech-forward: You love experimenting with tools and are quick to learn new systems.

• Excellent communication and collaboration skills, including with execs and external vendors.

About You

• You’re AI obsessed and you default to asking: “How can I automate this?”

• You don’t wait for instructions—you're a self-starter who spots problems and solves them.

• You’re resourceful and can figure out how to do just about anything.

• You are obsessed with details—you build in fail-safes to catch mistakes before they happen and ensure work is done right the first time.

• You’re low-ego and happy to jump in on both strategic work and routine tasks.

Bonus Points

• Experience with SQL, Python, and/or advanced Google Sheets use cases.

Compensation and Benefits

• $90,000-$105,000 annual compensation

• Competitive equity compensation

• 401(k) match

• Health, dental and vision insurance

• Paid company holidays & PTO

• Hybrid work in the office in Williamsburg, Brooklyn 3+ times per week

️ About Paces

Paces is software for green infrastructure developers to identify the best places to build and manage their projects.

️ If you’re a builder who wants to actively construct a more climate positive future, join us!

We are enabling the climate optimum use for all the world’s land and are throughout leaders in the evolving data center and renewables markets.

️ We are enabling the climate optimum use for all the world’s land and are thought leaders in the evolving data center and renewables markets.

We have world class customers and are growing!

We've raised +$13M led by Navitas Capital and Resolute Ventures and Y Combinator.