Operations Manager

artificial intelligence and robotics laboratory (itu air lab); Arlington (VA); On-site; USD 80,000 - 105,000; Full time

Job summary

Air, headquartered in Arlington, VA, is seeking an Arlington Operations Manager to own day-to-day operations, reliability, and employee experience at our Arlington office. You’ll collaborate with Operations, IT, and vendors to ensure a professional, functional workspace and proactive problem solving.

The role requires hands-on ownership, attention to detail, and the ability to balance daily execution with proactive planning in a fast-moving environment.

Qualifications

• 3–7+ years in workplace operations or facilities/office management.
• Experience managing vendors, contractors, or office moves.
• Ability to lead and mentor junior team members.
• Excellent cross-functional communication.

Responsibilities

• Own day-to-day Arlington office operations and workplace readiness, identifying and resolving issues across facilities and employee experience.
• Manage the Arlington Operations Specialist with direction and priority setting for strong execution.
• Oversee facilities operations including maintenance, cleaning, access, furniture, and workspace changes.
• Lead on-site AV and workplace technology readiness, coordinating with IT and vendors.
• Coordinate workplace vendors and services to ensure quality and timely execution.
• Maintain workplace standards and onboarding/offboarding readiness.
• Plan Arlington office projects and readiness for leadership/customer visits.
• Identify process improvements to boost reliability, experience, and scalability.

Skills

Office operations

Facilities management

Vendor management

People management

Cross-functional communication

Hands-on ownership

Detail-oriented

Education

Bachelor’s degree or equivalent in operations

Tools

AV systems

Conferencing tools

Networking basics

Job description

Company Description

Air is the leader in Enterprise Readiness. Our mission is to establish readiness as a real-time condition that is continuously achieved. Today, a dangerous Readiness Gap exists between what the front line needs and what is delivered. Our AI-native platform, Air Enterprise Readiness, aligns development, production, delivery, and sustainment into one coordinated execution system for government agencies and industrial suppliers. By revealing true capacity, exposing real constraints, coordinating resources, and executing at the speed of operational demands, the front line gets what it needs to succeed.

Job Description

We are seeking an Arlington Operations Manager to own the day-to-day performance, reliability, and experience of our Arlington headquarters. This role ensures the office is consistently functional, professional, and ready for employees, customers, and leadership across facilities, workplace operations, AV/IT readiness, and space needs.

The ideal candidate is a hands-on operator who proactively identifies issues, takes ownership of resolving them, and continuously looks for ways to improve how the workplace operates. They will need to be highly detail-oriented, resourceful, and comfortable balancing day-to-day execution with proactive planning in a fast-moving environment.

This role works closely with Operations, IT, external vendors, and company leadership to ensure seamless office operations.

This role is a full-time position located out of our office in Arlington, VA.

Scope of Responsibilities (highest priority to lowest)

• Own day-to-day Arlington office operations and workplace readiness, proactively identifying and resolving issues across facilities, shared spaces, and the overall employee experience.
• Manage the Arlington Operations Specialist, providing day-to-day direction, prioritization, and support while ensuring strong execution across office operations.
• Manage facilities operations, including maintenance, repairs, cleaning, access, furniture, seating, office moves, and workspace changes.
• Serve as the primary on-site operational lead for AV and workplace technology readiness, coordinating troubleshooting and resolution with internal IT teams and external vendors.
• Manage workplace vendors and service providers, including facilities, AV, furniture, cleaning, and other office services, ensuring quality and timely execution.
• Oversee workplace standards and employee readiness, including conference rooms, desk setups, office organization, and the workplace components of onboarding and offboarding.
• Coordinate and execute Arlington office projects, workplace improvements, leadership and customer visit readiness, and other high-priority onsite needs.
• Identify and implement process and workplace improvements that improve reliability, employee experience, and scalability as the company grows.

Qualifications

• U.S. Citizenship is required

Required Skills:

• 3–7+ years of experience in workplace operations, facilities management, office management, or a similar operational role.
• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent professional experience in operations, business administration, facilities, or a related field.
• Demonstrated ability to independently manage the day-to-day operations of a fast-paced office or workplace environment.
• Strong working knowledge of office infrastructure, including AV systems, conferencing tools, workplace technology, and basic networking concepts.
• Experience managing vendors, contractors, office moves, space changes, or workplace projects.
• Experience managing or mentoring junior team members.
• Strong organizational, problem-solving, and execution skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities simultaneously.
• Excellent communication skills with the ability to work cross-functionally across Operations, IT, leadership, and external partners.
• Proactive, hands-on approach with strong attention to detail and ownership from issue identification through resolution.

Desired Skills

• Experience in or exposure to a startup or other entrepreneurial environment.
• Familiarity with modern workplace technologies such as Google Meet, Microsoft Teams Rooms, Zoom Rooms, or equivalent AV ecosystems.
• Experience supporting a high-growth environment with rapidly changing headcount and workplace needs.
• Experience supporting a headquarters, customer-facing office, or similarly high-visibility workplace.

We firmly believe that past performance is the best indicator of future performance. If you thrive while building solutions to complex problems, are a self-starter, and are passionate about making an impact in global security, we’re eager to hear from you.

Air is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability and protected veterans status or any other characteristic protected by law.