Caltech is seeking a Director of Maintenance & Operations to provide leadership and oversight for the maintenance, reliability, and lifecycle management of campus buildings, infrastructure, and utility systems. You will lead a team of more than 100 skilled trades professionals responsible for maintaining academic, research, residential, and administrative facilities.
What You'll Do
- Lead, mentor, and manage a diverse, skilled trades workforce responsible for maintenance and repair of campus buildings and infrastructure.
- Support workforce planning and professional development for trades professionals and operational staff.
- Direct preventive, predictive, and corrective maintenance programs for mechanical, electrical, plumbing, and control systems.
- Ensure operational reliability of mission‑critical systems supporting laboratories, research facilities, and campus operations.
- Collaborate with Planning, Design & Construction to support project turnover and long‑term asset lifecycle management.
- Develop operational strategies that improve maintenance efficiency, asset reliability, and service delivery.
- Leverage CMMS/IWMS systems and operational data to support maintenance planning and performance monitoring.
- Develop and track key performance metrics including maintenance productivity, response times, and maintenance backlog.
- Support campus sustainability and energy management initiatives.
- Ensure a strong safety culture and ensure compliance with regulatory standards across departments.
- Lead facilities response to infrastructure incidents and campus emergencies.
- Promote a service-oriented professional environment that supports stakeholders at all levels of the Institute.
What We're Looking For
- Bachelor’s degree and 10+ years of facilities maintenance or operations leadership experience, or 14+ years professional experience in lieu of a degree.
- Experience managing large skilled trades teams in complex facilities environments.
- Strong knowledge of building mechanical, electrical, and building automation systems.
- Experience with Integrated Workplace Management systems.
- Facilities asset management experience.
- Excellent customer service skills.
- Working knowledge of NFPA codes, Cal OSHA regulations, and building codes.
- Strong leadership, organizational, and communication skills.
Nice to Have
- Experience in higher education, research institutions, or laboratory environments.
- Advanced degree is preferred.
- Experience implementing predictive maintenance or asset lifecycle management programs.
- Familiarity with sustainability and energy management initiatives.
Technical Stack
- CMMS/IWMS systems
Team & Environment
You will lead a team of more than 100 skilled trades professionals responsible for campus facilities, reporting to the Assistant Vice President for Facilities Operations & Services. Caltech thrives on finding and cultivating talented people who are passionate about what they do. You will be a part of the diverse Caltech community.
Work Mode
This is an onsite position.
Caltech is an equal opportunity employer.
