Director of Field Operations

Director of Field Operations

Location:

Los Angeles, CA | Detroit, MI | Adrian, MI

Reports to:

Vice President of Operations

We are looking for a Director of Field Operations to lead and scale one of the most critical engines of our success: ensuring every customer around the world experiences seamless installation, service, and support of our technology. Observable Space systems are deployed at research institutions, government facilities, and commercial sites globally — and as that footprint grows, so does the complexity and criticality of the team behind it.

This is a hands‑on leadership role that combines strategy and execution. You will build the systems, processes, and team culture that allow us to serve a growing global installed base without sacrificing quality or customer experience — traveling to customer sites, engaging directly with field technicians, and shaping how our systems are deployed, maintained, and evolved over time.

• Lead and develop the field operations team responsible for installation, commissioning, preventive maintenance, and on‑site technical support across the Observable Space global installed base

• Own workforce planning for field operations — staffing, scheduling, skills development, and geographic coverage as the installed base expands

• Define and hold the standard for field execution quality, safety, and customer experience

• Build scalable processes, documentation, and tooling to support a growing team operating across geographies

• Collaborate directly with customers and partners around the world to ensure installations meet technical and operational expectations

• Serve as an escalation point for field service issues, engaging directly with customers when needed

• Build feedback loops that bring field learnings back to engineering, manufacturing, and product teams in a timely and actionable way

• Own and optimize the financial performance of field operations – revenue, cost, and margin

• Partner with sales and leadership to develop and evolve service models that expand long‑term value to customers

• Report to leadership with clear visibility into performance metrics, service delivery, and financial outcomes

• Partner closely with engineering, sales, and manufacturing to deliver exceptional customer support and keep field execution aligned with product and program developments

• Contribute to the development of warranties, support programs, and post‑sale offerings as the business evolves

• Travel globally to customer sites, installations, and company offices in Los Angeles, Adrian, MI, and Detroit

• Deep experience in field operations, field service management, or technical services, including direct people management

• Experience operating and supporting networks of deployed telescope systems or comparable high‑reliability precision hardware in the field

• Proven success building and leading teams in a fast‑paced, high‑growth technical environment

• Solid business acumen, including budget management, cost optimization, and an understanding of service model economics

• Exceptional communication and collaboration skills — equally effective with field technicians, customers, and executive leadership

• A track record of delivering exceptional customer experiences across the full lifecycle — from installation through ongoing support

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Operations, or a related technical field preferred

• Ability and willingness to travel globally

• A hands‑on leader who earns credibility in the field and in the boardroom

• You find the gap between where the team is and where it needs to be — and you build toward it

• Calm under pressure, decisive when it matters, and relentless about follow‑through

• Proactive by nature: you anticipate issues before they become customer problems

• Strong operational instincts: you build process without bureaucracy, have a hunger for data, and measure what matters

• You care about the customer experience as much as the operational metrics — and you understand those things are connected

• You thrive in a fast‑moving environment where the installed base, the team, and the stakes are all growing at once

• Be part of a mission‑driven company helping shape the future of space infrastructure

• The opportunity to build and scale a global field operations organization from the ground up

• A collaborative culture that rewards initiative, curiosity, and results

• Competitive salary, equity opportunities, and comprehensive benefits