Director of Field OperationsLocation: Los Angeles, CA | Detroit, MI | Adrian, MI
Reports to: Vice President of Operations
About the RoleWe are looking for a Director of Field Operations to lead and scale one of the most critical engines of our success: ensuring every customer around the world experiences seamless installation, service, and support of our technology. Observable Space systems are deployed at research institutions, government facilities, and commercial sites globally - and as that footprint grows, so does the complexity and criticality of the team behind it.
This is a hands-on leadership role that combines strategy and execution. You will build the systems, processes, and team culture that allow us to serve a growing global installed base without sacrificing quality or customer experience - traveling to customer sites, engaging directly with field technicians, and shaping how our systems are deployed, maintained, and evolved over time.
What You'll DoField Operations Leadership- Lead and develop the field operations team responsible for installation, commissioning, preventive maintenance, and on-site technical support across the Observable Space global installed base
- Own workforce planning for field operations - staffing, scheduling, skills development, and geographic coverage as the installed base expands
- Define and hold the standard for field execution quality, safety, and customer experience
- Build scalable processes, documentation, and tooling to support a growing team operating across geographies
Customer Engagement & Service Delivery- Collaborate directly with customers and partners around the world to ensure installations meet technical and operational expectations
- Serve as an escalation point for field service issues, engaging directly with customers when needed
- Build feedback loops that bring field learnings back to engineering, manufacturing, and product teams in a timely and actionable way
Business Performance- Own and optimize the financial performance of field operations - revenue, cost, and margin
- Partner with sales and leadership to develop and evolve service models that expand long-term value to customers
- Report to leadership with clear visibility into performance metrics, service delivery, and financial outcomes
Cross-Functional Collaboration- Partner closely with engineering, sales, and manufacturing to deliver exceptional customer support and keep field execution aligned with product and program developments
- Contribute to the development of warranties, support programs, and post-sale offerings as the business evolves
Travel- Travel globally to customer sites, installations, and company offices in Los Angeles, Adrian, MI, and Detroit
What You'll Bring- Deep experience in field operations, field service management, or technical services, including direct people management
- Experience operating and supporting networks of deployed telescope systems or comparable high-reliability precision hardware in the field
- Proven success building and leading teams in a fast-paced, high-growth technical environment
- Solid business acumen, including budget management, cost optimization, and an understanding of service model economics
- Exceptional communication and collaboration skills - equally effective with field technicians, customers, and executive leadership
- A track record of delivering exceptional customer experiences across the full lifecycle - from installation through ongoing support
- Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Operations, or a related technical field preferred
- Ability and willingness to travel globally
Who You Are- A hands-on leader who earns credibility in the field and in the boardroom
- You find the gap between where the team is and where it needs to be - and you build toward it
- Calm under pressure, decisive when it matters, and relentless about follow-through
- Proactive by nature: you anticipate issues before they become customer problems
- Strong operational instincts: you build process without bureaucracy, have a hunger for data, and measure what matters
- You care about the customer experience as much as the operational metrics - and you understand those things are connected
- You thrive in a fast-moving environment where the installed base, the team, and the stakes are all growing at once
Why You'll Love It Here- Be part of a mission-driven company helping shape the future of space infrastructure
- The opportunity to build and scale a global field operations organization from the ground up
- A collaborative culture that rewards initiative, curiosity, and results
- Competitive salary, equity opportunities, and comprehensive benefits
