Engineering Operations Lead

About Rondo Energy 

At Rondo, we help the world’s most difficult-to-decarbonize industries rapidly lower their energy costs and carbon emissions. 

Our low-cost, drop-in heat battery replaces fossil-fired boilers at industrial facilities, enabling companies to deeply decarbonize without making costly changes to their factories. Utilizing century-old refractory brick material and cutting-edge automation, Rondo Heat Batteries (RHBs) turn intermittent renewable electricity into continuous, high-temperature heat and power. With proven success in the field and modular models, we reduce cost and emissions across various industries, from food and textiles to steel and cement. 

With a $3+ trillion market potential, we’re driving new demand for renewables, improving energy security, and accelerating rapid carbon reduction within the world’s most hard-to-abate sectors. 

We’re seeking a results-driven Engineering Operations leader to architect and scale the systems, processes, and tools that will power Rondo’s engineering organization. A successful candidate will be able to switch easily between birds-eye view planning and deep-in-the-weeds detail. They will also possess a mix of skillsets: process design, systems implementation, project management, and cross-functional collaboration. This is a highly dynamic, hands-on role: ideal for someone energized by building from scratch, navigating ambiguity, and delivering structure that scales. 

What You Will Do (key responsibilities for this role include but are not limited to): 

Engineering leadership 

• Define a vision, in partnership with engineering leadership, for what best-in-class engineering operations looks like at Rondo
• Build strong relationships, information flows, and connective tissue between engineering and other departments
• Build structures to support knowledge sharing, team development, and engineering excellence
• Surface pain points and gaps in how engineering operates and fix them; figure out what’s needed to make the organization “hum”
• Operate as a hands-on individual contributor to start, with the opportunity to build and lead a small team as the function scales 

PLM 

• Lead system selection, configuration, & implementation of a Product Lifecycle Management system (PLM), including integration with ERP
• Define configuration process flows in partnership with engineering, product, and supply chain teams
• Source, onboard, and manage external PLM consultants and contractors to ensure timely, high-quality delivery. 

Process 

• Build new foundational engineering processes and drive continuous improvement in existing ones
• Key engineering processes include the product development process, resource planning, documentation systems, task management & tracking, BOM management, document/meeting templates, RACIs, training & onboarding, etc. 

What You Will Bring: 

• 7+ years of experience in engineering operations, technical program management, systems engineering, or related roles in a hardware environment
• Direct experience with PLM implementation & configuration
• Track record of success in project management and process development within an engineering context
• Passionate about great systems/process design
• Excellent communication, process development, and project management skills 

Bonus Points! 

• Experience overseeing a full PLM implementation
• Experience working as a Mechanical, Structural, Process, or Electrical Engineer           

What We Offer: 

• Comprehensive Medical Benefits
• Dental & Vision Benefits  
• Life Insurance and ADD  
• Up to 12 paid holidays per year, in addition to a company week-long holiday in December
• Flexible time off policy
• 401(k) plan with company match
• Cell Phone Reimbursement
• Catered lunches on-site
• Rondo HQ is close to Oakland airport - one block from the Bay - and has stunning Bay views
• An opportunity to make a huge positive impact on the planet 

This role is preferred to be on-site Alameda, California. The estimated annual salary range for a candidate in the Bay Area for this role is between $180,000 and $210,000, plus equity in an early-stage, rapidly scaling global company. Additionally, you would be eligible for Rondo's excellent benefits listed above. Please note that some pay bands may have wide ranges of compensation to accommodate candidates' diverse sets of skill levels, experience, and geographic locations.  

Rondo Energy is an equal opportunity employer. We strive to create a supportive and inclusive workplace where contributions are valued and celebrated, and our employees thrive by being themselves and are inspired to do their best work. We seek applicants of all backgrounds and identities, across race, color, ethnicity, national origin or ancestry, citizenship, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, veteran status, marital status, pregnancy or parental status, or disability. Applicants will not be discriminated against based on these or other protected categories or social identities.  

Rondo is committed to the full inclusion of all applicants. If reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in the interview process, please let our recruiting team know. 

We proactively work to design hiring processes that promote equity and inclusion while mitigating bias.  

Note to Recruitment Agencies: Rondo does not accept unsolicited agency resumes. Furthermore, Rondo Energy does not pay placement fees for candidates submitted by any agency other than its approved partners.