Facilities and Maintenance Manager

Debut Biotech•San Diego, CA

About The Position

Debut is an innovation lab developing biotechnology-based ingredients for consumer markets, with a focus on human wellbeing and climate-positive production. The Facilities and Maintenance Manager performs facility and laboratory maintenance and safety training, supports shipping and receiving, and serves as the Environmental, Health, and Safety (EHS) point of contact. The role includes purchasing supplies, conducting inspections, completing preventive and corrective maintenance, and maintaining accurate maintenance records. It also involves coordinating outside vendors, maintaining reagent and supply inventories, managing the waste program, and guiding laboratory personnel in research safety training. The manager oversees preventive maintenance and equipment records, coordinates calibration, repairs, service contracts, upgrades, and supply operations, and monitors critical utility systems such as DI water, electrical infrastructure, and HVAC. The role also supports facility changes and responds occasionally to laboratory emergencies outside regular hours. The position is based in a laboratory and industrial environment. It may involve work with biohazardous agents up to BSL2 and exposure to hot and cold temperatures, noise, fumes, limited dust, and oily coolants. Employees must comply with the company PPE policy. A background check is required before employment; additional job-related investigations may also be conducted. Debut is an equal opportunity employer.

Requirements

BS or MS degree and at least 5 years of experience in a biotechnology setting.
Knowledge of standard laboratory and facility equipment, including plumbing, electrical systems, and HVAC.
Experience with laboratory housekeeping procedures, inventory and equipment maintenance, supply ordering, and maintaining a clean and safe laboratory environment.
Knowledge of EHS regulations and laboratory safety requirements, including methods for handling, cleaning, and disposing of waste.
Excellent interpersonal and customer-service skills for working effectively with a diverse workforce.
Willingness to work with biohazardous agents up to BSL2.
Ability to meet the physical demands of laboratory and facility work, including frequent walking, standing, stair climbing, bending, twisting, squatting, reaching, and occasional lifting or carrying of materials weighing up to 50 pounds.
Ability to comply with company PPE requirements, which may include safety glasses with side shields, appropriate attire, safety shoes, a hard hat, and hearing protection.
Successful completion of a pre-employment background check.

Nice To Haves

Wet-laboratory experience.
Working knowledge of MaintainX CMMS.
Experience maintaining and rebuilding valves, mechanical seals, pumps, boilers, chillers, compressors, fermenters, and similar equipment and machinery.

Responsibilities

Organize, prioritize, and perform preventive maintenance to reduce downtime, extend equipment life, and meet safety and compliance standards.
Develop and manage equipment, spare-parts, and preventive-maintenance inventories and schedules using a computerized maintenance management system (CMMS).
Order, ship, receive, and maintain supplies, labware, and instruments needed for laboratory operations.
Manage laboratory equipment calibration, preventive maintenance, repairs, service-contract renewals, and upgrades.
Monitor critical utility systems, including DI water supply, electrical infrastructure, and HVAC.
Establish relationships with external vendors.
Plan and coordinate major facility changes, including laboratory reorganizations and expansions.
Anticipate, troubleshoot, and resolve problems in the laboratory, including occasional off-hours responses to emergencies.
Serve as the EHS point of contact for inspections and waste-handling services.
Conduct safety training and guide laboratory personnel in research safety.
Maintain accurate maintenance records and support laboratory housekeeping, inventory, supply ordering, and a clean and safe laboratory environment.