Field Operations Specialist

Field Operations Manager

WindBorne Systems is supercharging weather forecasts with a unique proprietary data source: a global constellation of next-generation smart weather balloons targeting the most critical atmospheric data. We design, manufacture, and operate our own balloons, using the data they collect to generate otherwise unattainable weather intelligence.

Our mission is to eliminate weather uncertainty, and in the process help humanity adapt to climate change, be that predicting hurricanes or speeding the adoption of renewables. We are building a future in which the planet is instrumented by thousands of our microballoons, eliminating gaps in our understanding of the planet and giving people and businesses the information they need to make critical decisions. The founding team of Stanford engineers was named Forbes 2019 30 under 30 and is backed by top-tier investors, including Khosla Ventures and Footwork VC.

You are the field extension of our Head of Launch. While strategy and infrastructure are built at HQ, you execute it on the ground standing up new launch sites, training local contractors, and building the physical sites. You are equally comfortable running a balloon launch in Argentina and writing a debrief report on the flight home. Critically, you see what isn't working and communicate it clearly so we can improve.

Responsibilities

• Deploy internationally to build and set up new balloon launch sites per WindBorne's SOPs
• Train and certify local launch contractors on operations, equipment, and safety protocols
• Launch high-altitude weather balloons and manage compressed gas equipment in strict compliance with safety protocols
• Handle complex international logistics: customs clearance, equipment shipping, and vendor sourcing
• Maintain meticulous records of site configs, contractor certifications, and equipment inventories
• Manage multiple concurrent deployments with strong project management discipline
• Debrief HQ after each deployment what worked, what didn't, and recommended process improvements
• Contribute to SOPs, site setup guides, and training materials to make operations faster and more replicable

Skills and Qualifications

• Strong background in international field operations, logistics, or project management
• Strict adherence to safety procedures and operational protocols especially around compressed gas or in an aviation environment
• Highly organized, able to manage project-level admin across multiple simultaneous international deployments
• Excellent communicator clear written reports, sharp field observations, effective cross-cultural rapport
• Comfortable operating independently for extended periods without direct supervision
• Passport with visa-free, visa-on-arrival, or ETA access to a minimum of 178 countries
• Able to drive manual transmission vehicles
• Able to lift up to 50 lbs and work outdoors in varied conditions in remote locations (up to 95F/35C, down to 14F/-10 C)
• Multilingual a significant plus (Spanish is the most useful)

Benefits

• 401(k)
• Dental insurance
• Health insurance
• Vision insurance
• Unlimited PTO
• Stock Option Plan
• Office food and beverages

Who You Are

• Gritty and resourceful : you don't take no for an answer and find the cleverest path forward
• Unshakeable under pressure: customs holdups, broken equipment, and typhoons are just problems to solve
• Obsessively organized: your documentation is as reliable as your fieldwork
• Excited by travel challenges: interested in new cultures and the challenge of making complex things work in unfamiliar places

Where We Go

Recent deployments: Australia, Guam, Japan, Runion Island, Kenya, Austria, and across the US

Next 18 months: Uruguay, Argentina, Fiji, Iceland, Saint Helena, the Philippines, Suriname, New Zealand, New Caledonia, and Antarctica

Salary

• $100k - $120k** We are considering a range of backgrounds and experience levels for this position and adjust our offers accordingly to be competitive with market rates.

Location

1600 Bridge Pkwy, Redwood City, CA. In person (when not traveling) required.