Lab Facilities Engineering and Development
Redwood City, CA
Operations /
Full-time /
On-site
Retro develops therapies for diseases driven by the biology of aging. We focus on cellular reprogramming and autophagy to rejuvenate cell and tissue function with the ultimate aim of adding 10 years to healthy human lifespan.
We’re building a mission-driven team of accomplished and kind individuals who embrace our startup culture of rapid iteration, transparency, and versatility.
We are hiring a new member of our Facilities team whose primary focus will be troubleshooting and maintaining HVAC, electrical, plumbing, and other building systems. Beyond daily maintenance, you'll help plan upgrades and improvements to our infrastructure and develop new lab spaces as we grow. You will be a part of the Science Operations (SciOps) team - a close-knit group of dedicated, resourceful humans, and you’ll report to their fearless leader.
About you:
You are a reliable and proactive problem solver who isn’t afraid to get your hands dirty. No task is too small and if you see something that needs doing, you don’t wait to be told before jumping in to help. You love a challenge and when given the chance to work on something new, you’re willing to learn and be resourceful and scrappy. You are energized knowing that your colleagues can depend on you to ensure our lab and facility operations are running effectively 100% of the time.
What you'll do in this role:
- Maintain, diagnose, and repair critical building systems (such as HVAC units, electrical panels, plumbing lines, compressed gas systems, etc.) with a focus on increasing reliability and performance in the long run
- Plan and execute facility upgrades and projects in collaboration with the Sci Ops team and relevant scientific stakeholders, ensuring minimal disruption to experiments and lab work
- Identify when external experts are needed and coordinate with approved vendors, keeping in mind our preference for vertical integration whenever possible
- Produce detailed records of maintenance activities, repairs, and system performance to inform data-based decision-making and compliance
- Develop detailed schematics and to-scale designs, use CAD software as needed, following through with procuring necessary materials and building what you’ve planned
- Support overall facility functions such as cleaning and organization of the space
- Serve as a key on-call responder for facility emergencies and urgent issues (such as power failures, significant leaks, cold storage alarms, etc.) - a rotating team responsibility which includes some nights, weekends, and holidays
You might thrive in this role if you:
- Have 3-5 years experience in facilities engineering or similar (electrical, mechanical, biomedical, etc.), a skilled trade, or other related field - a plus if you have a background in biotech, research, and/or GMP
- Are technically skilled and hands-on - you’re comfortable with tools and enjoy fixing things yourself, such as wiring an outlet, calibrating a thermostat, or changing a pump motor
- Have a broad mechanical/electrical aptitude - the ability to read schematics and manuals will help you succeed
- Embrace technology and organization - you’re familiar with digital tools such as Google Workspace, Asana, and Notion to track tasks and document work, as well as confident in picking up new softwares or systems to monitor the facilities
- Can lift and move equipment - you’re physically capable of safely lifting equipment or materials, often 50 lbs or more, with proper tools and assistance - this is an active role
- Take pride in your work - you don’t wait around for a work order when you notice a problem, you feel ownership of the facilities’ well-being
- Are quality-focused - an excellent finished product is important to you and you will create and follow protocols where needed
- Are willing to work occasional irregular hours to support critical maintenance or emergency repairs
$100,000 - $140,000 a year
Total compensation also includes generous equity and benefits including:
- Medical, dental, and vision insurance for you and your family
- 401(k) plan with 4% matching
- Flexible time off and 10 company holidays per year
- Paid parental leave
- Annual learning & development stipend
- Daily Retro-sponsored lunch and snacks
We take pride in cultivating an environment that fosters collaboration, open communication, and authenticity. We believe that great results are best delivered by a highly creative team working in concert. We are an equal opportunity employer; we do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status. We are diverse in background and singular in mission.
