Job Details

ABOUT SUBCRITICAL SYSTEMS

Subcritical Systems, Inc. is a venture-backed startup in Austin, Texas building the accelerator driven systems and the only US commercial manufacturer of accelerator cavities. What Space X did for rockets, we plan to do for accelerator cavities and commercialize across applications of power production, medical isotopes, semiconductors and waste transmutation.

We are in the process of building the Energy Amplifier, a novel nuclear fission system in which a particle accelerator drives a subcritical core, making meltdown physically impossible for clean power production. Due to its inherent safety, our system has a more streamlined licensing process. Our founding team includes successful entrepreneurs with a track record of building several multibillion dollar companies in deep-tech, and scientists who were leading U.S. national labs with deep experience in accelerator & nuclear technologies.

We are actively hiring to expand our team as we work toward licensing, regulatory submissions, and construction of our first energy amplifier. More information is available at subcritical.com.

ROLE SUMMARY

Subcritical Systems is looking for a seasoned professional to lead our manufacturing infrastructure. You'll serve as the primary on-site representative during design and construction of an advanced manufacturing environment including clean rooms, chemistry processing, cryogenic, machine shop, and test facilities then lead commissioning of mechanical, electrical, fluid, gas, vacuum, and cryogenic systems. Once operational, you'll own facility reliability, safety, and a growing team of technicians and operators.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Construction oversight

• Serve as the primary on-site representative to general contractors, subcontractors, architects, and engineers throughout design, construction, and fit-out.
• Coordinate scheduling, sequencing, and inspections across trades; track punch lists and drive issues to closure.

Systems commissioning

• Lead commissioning of electrical, HVAC, compressed gas, vacuum, fluid, cryogenic, and safety systems in partnership with engineering and scientific staff.
• Maintain as-built drawings, commissioning reports, and compliance documentation.

Maintenance strategy

• Stand up and own preventive maintenance programs, spares inventory, vendor relationships, and operating procedures for all industrial equipment and building systems including HVAC, electrical, and plumbing.

Operational reliability

• Support continuous production by managing utility systems, compressed air, purified water, and hazardous waste to minimize downtime in a fast-paced environment.

Safety & Compliance

• Ensure adherence to OSHA, EPA, and all applicable environmental standards. Lead regular safety inspections, fire safety protocols, and compliance audits.

Team & vendor management

• Build, train, and lead a growing team of technicians and facility operators as the site scales. Supervise third-party contractors and vendors for repairs, facility upgrades, and ongoing maintenance contracts.

Budget & project management

• Oversee facility improvement projects, capital expenditures, and energy efficiency initiatives
• Use project scheduling tools (MS Project, Asana, etc) to manage timelines and deliverables

QUALIFICATIONS

Required

• 5+ years in facility maintenance, plant operations, or technical production roles
• Strong working knowledge of electrical/mechanical systems and cleanroom or industrial environments.
• Proficiency in CMMS and project scheduling tools (MS Project, Asana, or equivalent); strong documentation habits and disciplined record-keeping
• Demonstrated experience managing GCs and subcontractors on multi-million-dollar buildouts; ability to read architectural, mechanical, electrical, P&ID, and process drawings
• Working knowledge of OSHA and EPA regulations; familiarity with LOTO, contractor safety, and emergency response
• Proven ability to hire, train, and manage teams of technicians and engineers; clear communicator across contractors, scientists, vendors, and executives

Preferred

• Experience with nuclear facilities, particle accelerators, high-energy physics labs, or radiation-controlled environments
• Hands-on familiarity with ultra-high vacuum, cryogenics, high-pressure fluid systems, or large-scale power and cooling infrastructure
• Associate's or Bachelor's degree in construction management, mechanical/electrical engineering technology, or facilities engineering; relevant hands-on experience may substitute
• OSHA 30 or equivalent certification preferred

BENEFITS

Benefits: We offer health, dental, and vision insurance.

LOCATION & WORK POLICY

This role is fully in person in Austin, Texas. Our facility is located next to Austin Airport.

HOW TO APPLY

Apply on LinkedIn or submit your resume and a brief cover letter to careers@subcritical.com with the subject line "Manufacturing Facilities Manager - Application". Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis.