"Director, Maintenance & Operations"

Position Description

Director, Maintenance & Operations

Job Category: Fulltime Regular

Exempt/Overtime Eligible: Exempt

Benefits Eligible: Benefit Based

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Caltech is a world-renowned science and engineering institute that marshals some of the world's brightest minds and most innovative tools to address fundamental scientific questions. We thrive on finding and cultivating talented people who are passionate about what they do. Join us and be a part of the diverse Caltech community.

Job Summary

The Director of Maintenance & Operations provides leadership and oversight for the maintenance, reliability, and lifecycle management of campus buildings, infrastructure, and utility systems. Reporting to the Assistant Vice President for Facilities Operations & Services, this role leads a team of more than 100 skilled trades professionals responsible for maintaining academic, research, residential, and administrative facilities across campus.

This is an Essential Reporting position. In the event of an emergency on campus, an employee designated as essential reporting has essential job skills that are needed for response and recovery and is expected to report to Campus as soon as possible.

Essential Job Duties

• 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.

Basic Qualifications

• 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.

Preferred Qualifications

• 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.

Required Documents

• Resume.

Hiring Range

$176,000 - $203,000 Per Year

The salary of the finalist(s) selected for this role will be set based on a variety of factors, including but not limited to, internal equity, experience, education, specialty and training.

As one of the largest employers in Pasadena, CA, Caltech is committed to providing comprehensive benefits to eligible employees and their eligible dependents. Our benefits package includes competitive compensation, health, dental, and vision insurance, retirement savings plans, generous paid time off (vacation, holidays, sick time, parental leave, bereavement, etc.), tuition reimbursement, and more. Non-benefit eligible employees will have access to some benefits such as onsite counseling and sick time. Learn more about our benefits and staff perks.