Director of Facilities

Position Summary

The Director of Facilities will provide end-to-end leadership of facilities, utilities, and infrastructure, ensuring systems are reliable, compliant, and scalable to support battery development, pilot manufacturing, and commercial production. This role is critical to ensuring our facilities are inspection-ready and enabling uninterrupted manufacturing operations. The Director will operate at the intersection of Facilities, Manufacturing, Quality, and Engineering, driving operational excellence while maintaining full compliance with applicable quality standards and safety regulations.

The successful candidate will combine deep technical expertise in controlled manufacturing environments and utilities infrastructure with strong leadership, project execution, and cross-functional collaboration capabilities.

Essential Functions & Responsibilities

Facilities & Utilities Leadership

• Provide leadership and oversight for manufacturing suites, dry rooms, testing and validation labs, pilot plant, and site infrastructure across all facilities.
• Ensure reliable operation of critical utilities, including HVAC systems for controlled humidity and temperature, dehumidification, nitrogen systems, electrical distribution, backup power systems, and environmental monitoring systems.
• Establish and maintain robust preventive maintenance, calibration, and asset lifecycle management programs for all facility systems.
• Identify, troubleshoot, and resolve infrastructure-related issues, minimizing operational disruption to development and manufacturing operations.
• Improve systems and processes related to calibration, preventive maintenance, and work orders.

Quality & Compliance

•   Ensure facilities and utilities operate in full compliance with applicable regulatory requirements, quality standards, and company policies.
•   Partner closely with Technical Operations and  Advanced Manufacturing to manage deviations, change controls, CAPA documentation, and risk assessments related to facilities and utilities.
•   Maintain facilities in a validated and compliant state, ensuring readiness for regulatory inspections and audits at all times.
•   Lead facilities-related support during regulatory inspections and internal audits.
•   Ensure appropriate documentation practices and adherence to company quality policies and procedures.

Capital Projects & Site Expansion

• Lead capital planning and execution for facility expansions, upgrades, infrastructure improvements, and new manufacturing areas.
• Oversee end-to-end project delivery, including design, construction, commissioning, qualification, and validation.
• Manage external partners including architects, engineers, contractors, specialized commissioning firms, and technical service providers.
• Ensure projects are delivered on schedule, within budget, and in compliance with quality standards and operational requirements.
• Develop and manage operating and capital budgets aligned with strategic long-term priorities.

Vendor & Budget Management

• Manage and optimize relationships with facilities vendors, contractors, engineering firms, and service providers.
• Identify and implement cost efficiencies while maintaining quality, safety, and compliance standards.
• Monitor operational performance using defined key performance indicators.

Cross-Functional Partnership

• Serve as a key partner to Manufacturing, Engineering, Quality, Process Development, Supply Chain, and EH&S.
• Provide technical leadership in support of production schedules, development timelines, and commercialization roadmaps.
• Support business continuity, emergency response, and risk mitigation planning.
• Contribute to cross-functional initiatives and continuous process improvement efforts.

Team Leadership

• Build and develop a high-performing facilities and maintenance organization.
• Establish clear roles, accountability, and performance expectations.
• Foster a culture of safety, compliance, accountability, and operational excellence.
• Mentor team members and support professional development.

Minimum Qualifications

• Master's degree in a relevant technical field (e.g., mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, chemical engineering, environmental health and safety) AND 5+ years of experience in Facilities within battery, semi-conductor, chemical manufacturing or similar industry OR Bachelor's degree in a relevant technical field (e.g., mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, chemical engineering, environmental health and safety) AND 8+ years of experience in Facilities within battery, semi-conductor, chemical manufacturing or similar industry
• Experience leading capital projects, renovations, or facility expansions.
• Strong hands-on knowledge of controlled manufacturing environments, including dry rooms, cleanroom classification, and environmental control systems.
• Demonstrated experience supporting regulatory inspections and audits.
• Proven ability to manage vendors and technical service providers.
• Demonstrated success in building and leading high-performing teams
• Excellent communication skills—able to translate complex safety concepts for diverse audiences and present effectively to senior leadership
• Strategic mindset with ability to balance compliance requirements with business objectives
• Proven track record of building positive safety cultures and driving employee engagement
• Experience in fast-paced, growth-oriented environments
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills — clear, professional, and appropriately concise.
• Ability to respond to emergency situations after hours and weekends as needed; maintain operational readiness at all times
• Must be based in or able to reliably commute to Hayward, California — this role is fully onsite.

Preferred Qualifications

• Certified Facilities Manager (CFM) Or  Facility Management Professional (FMP)
• Experience in battery manufacturing, energy storage, or advanced materials production.
• Experience scaling manufacturing operations from pilot to commercial stage.
• Familiarity with moisture/humidity-sensitive processes and dry environment controls.
• Experience with specialized utilities such as nitrogen generation and inert atmosphere systems.

Core Values — Minimum Qualifications

Safety & Security First For employees, customers, and intellectual property

Demonstrated commitment to maintaining a safe and secure work environment, including adherence to workplace safety protocols, data privacy standards, and confidentiality requirements. Proven ability to identify and appropriately escalate potential risks to personnel, customers, or sensitive information.

Trust & Respect Treat everyone with honesty, dignity, and sensitivity. Embrace different perspectives. Be humble.

Demonstrated ability to communicate and collaborate effectively with individuals of diverse backgrounds, perspectives, and working styles. Track record of maintaining professionalism, integrity, and discretion in all workplace interactions.

Ownership & Accountability Take responsibility and action. Set goals and deliver. Don't wait for others.

Demonstrated ability to independently prioritize, execute, and follow through on responsibilities with minimal supervision. Proven track record of setting measurable goals, meeting deadlines, and taking initiative to resolve challenges proactively.

Technical Excellence Always strive for the best solution possible.

Demonstrated commitment to quality and continuous improvement in delivering work product, solutions, and outcomes within area of expertise. Ability to evaluate options critically and apply sound judgment to identify the most effective and scalable solution.

Learn & Be Curious Think outside the box. Always learning.

Demonstrated ability to quickly acquire new skills, tools, or domain knowledge in response to evolving business needs. Proven track record of applying creative or unconventional thinking to solve problems.

Be Resourceful Be hungry, frugal, and flexible. Use what you have. Find a way.

Demonstrated ability to deliver results in resource-constrained environments by maximizing existing tools, processes, and partnerships. Proven ability to adapt and find effective solutions in ambiguous or rapidly changing situations.

Delight Customers Build stronger relationships with internal and external customers.

Demonstrated commitment to understanding and exceeding the needs of internal and/or external customers. Track record of building and maintaining strong, trust-based relationships that drive positive outcomes for all stakeholders.

 

Physical Requirements & Working Conditions

• Ability to sit for extended periods at a workstation and use a computer for up to 8 hours per day.
• Ability to lift and carry up to 50 lbs. occasionally.
• Work is performed in an office, lab, manufacturing and warehouse environments
• Regular business hours required; occasional evening or weekend work may be required during peak periods.