The RoleThe Director, Ops & Development is responsible for running the day-to-day operations, people management, and execution rhythm of Fluid2Chip's field organization.
This role sits at the center of the team - ensuring:
- Field teams are deployed effectively
- Projects are tracking toward schedule and revenue goals
- Operational processes are consistent and followed
This is a hands-on operational leadership role, not a purely strategic or executive position.
The individual will drive:
- Weekly operating cadence
- Field team alignment and accountability
- Staffing and utilization
- Financial tracking (revenue, invoicing, forecasting)
- Culture and standards across the field organization
The role requires someone comfortable leading a distributed field team, managing multiple priorities, and keeping the business running smoothly day to day.
What You'll DoDay-to-Day Operations & Execution (30%)- Run daily and weekly operations of the field organization
- Ensure projects are aligned to:
- scope
- schedule
- execution expectations
- Support PMs / field engineers in resolving issues quickly
- Maintain visibility across active sites, priorities, and risks
Financial & Operational Tracking (20%)- Monitor and support:
- Revenue tracking & forecasting
- Project burn vs plan
- Invoicing progress and accuracy
- Ensure operational performance aligns with headcount planning and utilization targets
- Provide visibility into business health and gaps
Staffing & Capacity Planning (15%)- Own deployment of field teams across active work
- Maintain utilization balance across the group
- Support hiring decisions (L1-L5 roles)
- Partner with leadership on forecasting headcount needs
Weekly Operating Rhythm & Communication (10%)- Lead weekly team operating meetings, including:
- What's going well
- Risks / blockers
- Priority shifts
- Reinforce focus areas:
- safety
- training
- consistency in execution
- Ensure alignment across teams and clear communication flow
People Leadership & Culture (10%)- Lead and support field engineers and managers
- Reinforce expectations around:
- professionalism
- communication
- accountability
- Drive team culture aligned with Fluid2Chip standards
- Support development and growth of field personnel
Governance & Execution Discipline (10%)- Ensure consistent use of:
- playbooks
- communication standards
- expense / time reporting
- Maintain accountability for operational hygiene across the team
Proposal & Execution Planning Support (5%)- Support new work through:
- staffing approach
- execution planning
- scope input
- Contribute to planning that aligns delivery with available resources
You'll BringCore Requirements- Strong experience leading field-based teams in commissioning, construction, or mission-critical environments
- Experience managing field technicians and site execution teams
- Skilled in workforce planning, staffing, and capacity management
- Experience with forecasting, invoicing awareness, and project financial tracking
- Strong understanding of field operations, project delivery, and execution workflows
- Ability to balance people leadership with hands-on operational contribution
Operational & Leadership Skills- Experience developing and coaching managers and field staff
- Ability to implement and enforce operational processes and standards
- Strong project management skills with ability to support multiple initiatives
- Comfortable working in a fast-paced, evolving environment
- Ability to collaborate across engineering, operations, and leadership teams
Technical & Business Acumen- Understanding of mission-critical infrastructure systems (mechanical, electrical, or fluid systems)
- Experience supporting proposal development, scoping, or pre-construction planning
- Ability to interpret engineering drawings and technical documentation
- Strong data-driven mindset with experience analyzing operational performance
Education/Experience- Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Construction Management, Operations, Business, or a related technical field
OR
- Hands-on commissioning, startup, or field testing experience in mission-critical or industrial environments
PLUS
- 10+ years of progressive experience supporting installation, commissioning, validation, and troubleshooting of complex infrastructure systems, including mechanical, controls, fluid, and/or electrical systems, with:
- 5+ years in operations and people leadership, managing distributed, field-based teams
- 5+ years leading multi-team staffing and capacity models, including forecasting, deployment planning, and utilization management
Strongly Preferred
- Experience in data centers, hyperscale infrastructure, advanced cooling, or industrial fluid systems
- Background working in high-reliability, high-consequence environments where uptime, quality, and execution discipline are critical
- Demonstrated ability to scale teams and processes in a fast-growth, remote-first organization
Physical DemandsThe following physical demands must be met by the employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is
- Frequently required to remain in a stationary position
- Frequently moving through office, facility and other environments
- On occasion the employee may need to move stationary items weighing up to 30 pounds
Travel/Relocation Requirements- Up to 25%, this may include travel to any or all 50 US states
- Must be located near a major airport
- Effective May 7, 2025, and in accordance with U.S. federal regulations for domestic air travel, a valid REAL ID (or an acceptable alternative, such as a passport) is required for travel associated with this position
- Travel may involve transportation by car or plane depending on the destination and nature of the business need
- Travel is defined as physically leaving home on behalf of business activities including but not limited to client sites, meetings with other employees, meetings for business development purposes, running errands on behalf of the business, attending industry conferences, etc.
What We Offer- Choice of comprehensive medical plans (including two PPO-style plans and a HDHP w/ HSA option).
- Flex spending accounts (FSA).
- Dental and vision plans.
- Comprehensive medical, dental and vision benefits extended to spouse / domestic partner and dependent children up to age 26.
- 401k with company match and self-directed brokerage account option.
- PTO including additional paid time off during the last week of the year.
- Company paid life insurance coverage for employees and their eligible dependents.
- Short and long-term disability, AD&D coverage.
- Professional development opportunities, tuition reimbursement, and professional licensing assistance.
- Paid parental leave after one year of employment.
