Facilities & Site Operations Manager

About the role

Apium Swarm Robotics (ASR) is revolutionizing swarm autonomy software for air, surface, undersea, and ground vehicles operating across dual-use commercial and defense environments. Our systems are deployed on real platforms, tested in the field, and delivered to customers operating in complex, uncertain, and safety-critical conditions. We prioritize performance over hype, creating real-time cooperative management that lets one operator control dozens to hundreds of vehicles with the ease of controlling a single vehicle.

ASR seeks a Facilities & Site Operations Manager to own the day-to-day operating environment of our San Diego facility. This hands-on, multi-functional role sits at the intersection of facilities, security, supplies, shipping, and safety, supporting a growing engineering and manufacturing team. You will partner with the Manufacturing Manager, corporate Shipping Lead, and Red Cat’s safety team while reporting to ASR’s VP of Operations. Comfort operating in this multi-directional coordination environment—and turning ambiguous requests into clean, repeatable processes—is essential.

Responsibilities

• Own day-to-day operations of ASR’s San Diego facility, including maintenance, cleanliness, and vendor management for janitorial, HVAC, plumbing, electrical, and grounds services.
• Manage physical security operations including access control systems and alarm response; serve as primary on-call point of contact for critical after-hours facility alarms.
• Administer contractor and visitor access management, including check-in/check-out procedures, credentialing verification, escort assignment, and access log maintenance.
• Coordinate executive and customer visit logistics; drive continuous improvement of the workplace environment through signage, wayfinding, and common-area presentation.
• Support the Manufacturing Manager on indirect materials planning and forecasting, ensuring critical manufacturing inputs are on hand or on order.
• Own the workplace supply program, including office consumables, pantry stock, PPE, and general facility supplies; maintain vendor relationships for indirect procurement.
• Coordinate all inbound and outbound shipping operations for the San Diego site, working through Red Cat’s corporate Shipping Lead and the Apium Manufacturing Manager.
• Own intra-Red Cat R&D shipment coordination and tracking, ensuring visibility of material movement between subsidiaries.
• Ensure customer-bound shipments meet ASR’s quality, packaging, documentation, and traceability standards; coordinate ITAR/EAR export documentation with Contracts and Compliance.
• Integrate ASR’s site-level EHS program with Red Cat’s corporate safety cadence, providing status and metrics.
• Ensure compliance with Cal/OSHA, federal OSHA, and California EPA regulations for a manufacturing and office environment.
• Own site-level EHS documentation, including Injury and Illness Prevention Program (IIPP), Hazard Communication Plan, and Emergency Action Plans; conduct safety walk-throughs, incident investigations, and near-miss reporting.
• Coordinate required safety training and manage relationships with EHS-related vendors (waste-hauling, fire suppression, first aid, safety-equipment suppliers).

Requirements

• 5+ years of experience in facilities management, site operations, military logistics/base operations, physical security, or a comparable operational field.
• Demonstrated ability to manage vendors and service contracts for facility functions (janitorial, HVAC, security, grounds maintenance).
• Working knowledge of Cal/OSHA and federal OSHA regulations applicable to manufacturing and office environments.
• Experience coordinating physical security operations, including access control systems and visitor/contractor management.
• Familiarity with inbound/outbound shipping and receiving operations, including carrier management and shipment documentation.
• Strong organizational skills to manage multiple parallel workstreams across facilities, safety, shipping, and inventory.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills; comfort interfacing with executives, customers, and external vendors.
• Willingness to serve as primary on-call point of contact for critical after-hours facility alarms.
• Comfort operating with limited pre-existing process definition and building repeatable systems as ASR scales.
• Ability to work independently with limited oversight and remain calm under operational pressure.

Qualifications

• Prior US military service, particularly in logistics, facilities management, base operations, or military police/physical security.
• Certified Facility Manager (CFM) or Facility Management Professional (FMP) certification.
• OSHA 30-Hour General Industry certification or Cal/OSHA training.
• Experience with EHS management systems and safety program administration in a manufacturing environment.
• Experience coordinating VIP/executive-level visits, including protocol handling and hospitality logistics.
• Familiarity with ITAR/EAR export-control documentation and workflows.
• Prior experience at a defense technology company or ITAR/EAR-regulated environment.
• Experience with facility CMMS (Computerized Maintenance Management System) platforms.
• Familiarity with badging/access-control systems (Genetec, Lenel, Brivo, or comparable).
• Forklift operator certification or equivalent industrial equipment training.
• Basic understanding of manufacturing consumables planning and MRO inventory practices.
• U.S. security clearance or ability to obtain one.

Physical Requirements and Working Conditions

• Ability to walk, stand, and navigate large indoor/outdoor facilities for extended periods.
• Regularly lift, carry, and move materials/equipment up to 25 lbs.
• Use of personal protective equipment (PPE) in designated areas or tasks.
• Climb ladders, stoop, kneel, or crouch during inspections, maintenance, or emergency response.
• Exposure to facility operations noise, dust, temperature fluctuations, and industrial equipment.
• Occasional off-hours or weekend work for emergencies or projects.
• Frequent use of computers and standard office equipment for documentation and coordination.
• Travel up to 25% of the time based on operational requirements.

Pay

Salary: $110,000 – $130,000 with bonus, equity, and benefits.

This position requires successfully completing a post-offer background check. Qualified candidates with a criminal history will be considered consistent with federal and state law. U.S. Citizenship or Permanent Residence is required for ITAR/EAR compliance; sponsorship is not available.