Operations and Facilities Manager

FIRST ORDER EFFECTS Operations & Facilities Manager Infrastructure for the Robotic Era Location: On-site - Austin, Texas Reports to: Chief of Staff Team: Operations Own the place we build in. First Order Effects is building the infrastructure for the robotic era - rapidly deployable ports, power, and communications that launch, sustain, and re-arm the autonomous fleet for the United States and its allies. We're post-seed round, backed by some of the best venture firms in the world. Our mission is simple and urgent: deliver new infrastructure at lightspeed. First in. First up. We build hardware in the same room, at speed. The Operations & Facilities Manager owns the physical operations that make that possible - the office, the warehouse, the vendors, and the buildouts - so the team never loses a day to a broken door, a late shipment, or a room that isn't ready. The Role This is a hands‑on builder's role, not a desk job. Sitting between the Executive Assistant and the Chief of Staff and reporting to the Chief of Staff, you own the company's physical footprint and the operations that keep it running. One day you're organizing the warehouse and receiving parts; the next you're negotiating with the landlord, scheduling an electrician for a new install, and standing up a conference room. You are the person who makes the building work so everyone else can build in it. As we grow from one space into many, you'll own how we set up, scale, and run every site. What you build here becomes the standard for how First Order Effects operates on the ground. What you'll do Run the warehouse. Own warehouse organization, storage and racking systems, inventory and asset tracking, and receiving of parts and hardware - kept clean, labeled, safe, and findable. Keep the office and facilities organized. Own day-to-day office and facilities operations across both office and warehouse - space planning, layout, furniture, cleanliness, and the general upkeep that keeps the place running. Manage landlords and leases. Be the primary point of contact with the landlord and property management - building access, maintenance requests, lease compliance, and negotiating additional space as we expand. Manage contractors and vendors. Source, quote, schedule, and oversee contractors and service vendors. Hold them to scope, schedule, quality, and safety, and keep the paperwork clean. Own buildouts and installs. Manage electrical installs across the office and warehouse, conference‑room and AV buildouts, and future lab and warehouse expansions - including permits and inspections with the City of Austin. Set up and manage building services. Stand up and manage utilities and services: electricity, water, internet and connectivity, waste and recycling (including our own dumpster service), pest control, HVAC maintenance, janitorial, and landscaping. Own shipping and receiving. Manage inbound and outbound logistics, carriers, and tracking - including compliant shipping of dangerous goods and lithium batteries (DOT / IATA) for our power systems. Manage assets and equipment. Track company tools, equipment, and material‑handling assets (forklifts, pallet jacks, racking); keep maintenance schedules current. Own health, safety, and security. Coordinate physical security and access control (badging, cameras), workplace safety and EHS/OSHA basics, PPE, and secure and hazmat storage that supports our future GovCon / CMMC / facility‑clearance requirements. Support procurement and budget. Purchase supplies, equipment, and MRO items; manage vendor POs and track the facilities budget with the Chief of Staff and finance. Scale the footprint. Plan and execute moves, new‑site setups, and expansions as the company grows - and jump on whatever operational project the Chief of Staff needs done. Who does well here You have 3 - 6 years in operations, facilities, or site operations - ideally at a hardware, manufacturing, logistics, or fast‑scaling company where you owned the physical plant. You are hands‑on and resourceful. You're as comfortable on a warehouse floor or troubleshooting an install as you are negotiating a lease or a vendor quote. You manage contractors and vendors well - you can get competitive bids, hold people to schedule and quality, and know when work is done right. You are proactive and safety‑minded. You anticipate what the building and the team will need next and handle it before it becomes a problem. You are ruthlessly organized, thrive on ambiguity, and wear many hats without dropping any of them. You are a clear communicator with sound judgment and the discretion to be trusted with sensitive vendors, spaces, and information. Bonus points Experience in a hardware, manufacturing, defense, or aerospace environment - or at a company known for speed and ownership such as Anduril, Saronic, SpaceX, Tesla, Anthropic, or OpenAI. Working knowledge of electrical, mechanical, and HVAC systems, buildouts, and the permitting/inspection process. Dangerous‑goods / hazmat shipping certification (DOT / IATA) and OSHA 10 or 30. You've helped stand up or scale a facility - vendors, systems, security, and safety - from the early days. Logistics This role is on‑site in Austin, Texas . The building is the job. This is an active role: expect to be on your feet, and able to lift and move up to ~50 lbs and operate basic material‑handling equipment. Due to U.S. export‑control requirements, you must be a U.S. Person (U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident). Military veterans are strongly encouraged to apply. Compensation & benefits Competitive salary in the range of $95,000-$120,000 , early‑stage equity, and full health coverage. Final offer reflects experience and scope. First Order Effects is an equal opportunity employer. We hire the best person for the mission, full stop, and welcome applicants of every background. Military veterans are strongly encouraged to apply. #J-18808-Ljbffr