--- title: 'Senior Greenhouse Facilities & Maintenance Manager at Ohalo' canonical: 'https://feeny.ai/job/senior-greenhouse-facilities-maintenance-manager-ohalo-watsonville-e5wetq8vy76w' type: 'job' last_seen: '2026-09-07' --- # Senior Greenhouse Facilities & Maintenance Manager at Ohalo - **Company:** Ohalo - **Location:** Watsonville, CA - **Posted:** 2026-07-14 - **Last confirmed live:** 2026-09-07 - **Apply:** https://job-boards.greenhouse.io/ohalogenetics/jobs/4715222005 ## Job description Position:  Senior Greenhouse Facilities & Systems Engineer Location: Watsonville, CA Type: Full-time Position Summary The Senior Greenhouse Facilities & Systems Engineer is responsible for the technical design, maximum uptime, and continuous maintenance of Ohalo's Watsonville / Aptos Greenhouse and Lab infrastructure. This role sits at the intersection of hands-on maintenance and high-level systems engineering. We are looking for a "builder-operator"—someone who can diagnose a chiller failure, optimize automated HVAC logic, model a custom component in CAD, and 3D-print a prototype replacement part. While the primary focus of this role is engineering and facility operational excellence, experience with or a willingness to support site Environment, Health & Safety (EHS) compliance is a highly valued plus. ## Key Responsibilities Systems Engineering, Fabrication & Maintenance - Oversee the day-to-day operation and preventive/corrective maintenance of all site infrastructure: greenhouse structures, HVAC, irrigation and fertigation systems, electrical, plumbing, lighting, controls, and utilities. - Develop and manage a Computerized Maintenance Management System (CMMS) or equivalent tracking process for work orders, asset history, and planned maintenance schedules. - Partner with greenhouse operations and research teams to plan and execute facility modifications that support evolving science programs. - Maintain all facility systems in compliance with applicable building codes, agricultural regulations, and Ohalo's operational standards. - Manage relationships with third-party service providers, equipment vendors, and construction contractors; negotiate contracts and ensure quality of work. Technical Compliance & Safety Support - Collaborate with greenhouse operations, plant science, and supply chain teams to ensure facilities support research timelines and production schedules. - Develop and manage site security systems (access control, surveillance, perimeter security) appropriate for an agricultural R&D environment. - Oversee facilities-related aspects of hygiene, pest and disease prevention, including structural exclusion measures and environmental monitoring systems. - Support sustainability initiatives including water recapture, energy efficiency, and waste reduction programs. - Lead, mentor, and develop a small in-house facilities and maintenance technician team; define roles, set performance goals, and manage staffing needs. - Assist with site safety inspections, coordinate facilities-related emergency planning (fire suppression, backup power), and ensure proper chemical storage containment. ## Qualifications Required - Bachelor's degree in Facilities Management, Engineering (Mechanical, Civil, or related), Environmental Health & Safety, or equivalent combination of education and experience. - 5+ years of experience managing complex facility infrastructure, with a proven track record in heavy mechanical/electrical systems (HVAC, chillers, commercial electrical distribution, environmental control systems, automation). - Proficient in CAD software (e.g., SolidWorks, AutoCAD, Fusion360) and hands-on experience with 3D printing/rapid prototyping techniques. - Experience overseeing third-party specialized technicians, mechanical contractors, and service vendors. - Proficiency with maintenance management systems and standard business software (MS Office / Google Workspace). - Strong written and verbal communication skills; ability to present technical and safety information clearly to diverse audiences. - Valid California driver's license and reliable transportation. ## Preferred - EHS & Cal/OSHA Knowledge: Direct experience owning or heavily supporting EHS programs in a California-based agricultural, biotech, or manufacturing setting. Working knowledge of Cal/OSHA Title 8 standards. - Demonstrated experience managing contractors, reviewing construction scopes, and controlling project budgets. - Familiarity with California agricultural pesticide use reporting, Pesticide Use Permits (PUP), and Worker Protection Standard (WPS). - Experience in a startup or fast-scaling environment where processes are built from the ground up. - Bilingual in English and Spanish (preferred given workforce composition). Below is the pay range for this position that we reasonably expect to pay. Individual compensation is based on various factors including experience, education, skillset, and other relevant qualifications. This range is for the Watsonville, CA location and may be adjusted to the labor market in other geographic areas. Anticipated compensation: $90,000 - $115,000 a year About Ohalo: Ohalo™ aims to accelerate evolution to unlock nature's potential. Founded in 2019, Ohalo develops novel breeding systems and improved plant varieties that help farmers grow more food with fewer natural resources, increasing the yield, resiliency, and genetic diversity of crops to sustainably feed our population. Ohalo's breakthrough technology, Boosted Breeding™, will usher in a new era of improved productivity to radically transform global agriculture. For more information, visit [www.ohalo.com](https://c212.net/c/link/?t=0&l=en&o=4172870-1&h=3148035140&u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.ohalo.com%2F&a=www.ohalo.com). Notes: If you previously applied for a job at Ohalo Genetics, we encourage you to restate your interest in the position by submitting your application. No visa sponsorship is available for this position at this time. This organization participates in E-Verify. Posters linked [here.](https://www.e-verify.gov/sites/default/files/everify/posters/IER_RightToWorkPoster%20Eng_Es.pdf) No recruiters, please. ## About Ohalo ## Company Overview - **One-liner**: Ohalo develops novel plant breeding systems, primarily its Boosted Breeding™ technology, to dramatically increase crop yields, resilience, and genetic diversity while reducing resource use for global agriculture. - **Entity Type**: Private (Series B) - **Headquarters**: South San Francisco, California, United States - **Founded**: 2019 - **Founders**: David Friedberg (CEO), Jud Ward (Chief Technology Officer) ## Core Business - **Primary industry/industries**: Agricultural Biotechnology, Plant Breeding, AgTech - **Target customers**: B2B — global seed companies, commercial growers, and agricultural supply chain partners (e.g., strawberry, potato, almond, corn, and berry producers). - **Mission or purpose statement**: "Accelerating evolution to unlock nature's potential" — aiming to sustainably feed a growing population by shrinking the environmental footprint of agriculture through faster, more efficient plant breeding. ## Products & Services - **Boosted Breeding™**: A proprietary breeding platform that suppresses meiotic recombination, allowing offspring to inherit the complete genome from both parents (2x + 2x = 4x™). This creates "Boosted" plants that contain all beneficial traits from each parent, accelerating genetic gain and delivering predictable heterosis without multi-year selection cycles. - **Agile Breeding™**: A service that applies the Boosted Breeding platform across multiple crops to rapidly develop improved varieties. - **True Seed™**: A plant-breeding service delivering uniform, disease-free seedlings directly to growers — ready to sow, right out of the packet. Applied to crops like strawberries and potatoes. - **FruitionOne™**: The world's first self-fertile Nonpareil almond variety, eliminating the need for traditional bee pollination and cross-variety planting. - **Value-Added Traits**: Custom-developed traits (e.g., improved sustainability, better taste, longer shelf life, disease resistance) integrated into existing varieties for supply chain improvements. ## Market Standing - **Valuation/Market Cap**: Not publicly disclosed. - **Key Metric**: Total funding of approximately $100M (USD 99,999,969) across multiple rounds: - Seed (2019): Not disclosed - Early-stage venture (2021): $3.7M - Venture round (2024-01-25): $40.0M (2 investors) - Venture round (2024-05-01): $60.0M - Series B (2025-01-01): 1 investor - **Notable Investors/Partners**: Incubated by The Production Board (venture firm founded by David Friedberg). Partners include University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS), Florida Foundation Seed Producers, Inc., Florida Strawberry Growers Association, and the Ohalo Strawberry Consortium. - **Growth Signals**: - Headcount grew 40% YoY to 85 employees (with 17 active job postings as of mid-2025). - Recognized on the "50 by 2050" list by Congruent Ventures and Silicon Valley Bank for climate tech innovation. - Launched FruitionOne™ (self-fertile almond) and the Ohalo Strawberry Consortium in 2025. - Expanding into Brazil and United Arab Emirates. - CEO David Friedberg has appeared on the All-In Podcast with the U.S. Secretary of Agriculture, signaling high-level policy engagement. ## Competitive Advantages - **Proprietary technology moat**: Boosted Breeding™ is a breakthrough approach that fundamentally changes plant reproduction — enabling entire genome inheritance from both parents. This is a patentable, hard-to-replicate scientific platform applicable to nearly every crop. - **Speed to market**: Traditional breeding can take decades; Ohalo's method can deliver improved varieties in a fraction of the time, with predictable outcomes. - **Broad crop applicability**: The platform works across potatoes, corn, berries, almonds, and more — not limited to a single crop. - **Strong investor & partner network**: Backed by The Production Board and partnered with major agricultural research institutions and grower consortia. - **Sustainability angle**: Higher yields with fewer inputs (water, land, pesticides) aligns with global climate and food security trends. ## Strategic Focus - **Commercial expansion**: Scaling the Ohalo Strawberry Consortium and potato programs, with plans to enter corn, berries, and other row crops. - **Partnership development**: Collaborating with seed companies, grower groups, and research institutions to license Boosted Breeding™ and distribute True Seed™. - **R&D pipeline**: Developing new self-fertile and disease-resistant varieties (e.g., FruitionOne™ almonds) and integrating value-added traits. - **Global footprint**: Building operations in Brazil and UAE to address international agricultural markets. - **Talent acquisition**: Actively hiring across engineering, plant breeding, commercial sales, and operations — with 17 open roles as of mid-2025. ## Why Work Here - **Mission-driven work**: Directly contribute to solving global food security and sustainability challenges through cutting-edge science. - **Innovative culture**: Described as "Farmers First," with a bias toward action, iteration, and finding truth — a fast-paced, science-first environment. - **Talent & team**: Employees come from top institutions (UC Davis, Iowa State, North Carolina State) and companies (Driscoll's, Zymergen, Inari). The team includes 29 researchers (26% of workforce) and 20 technical staff (18%). - **Growth trajectory**: 40% YoY headcount growth and $100M in funding signal a well-resourced, scaling company with career advancement opportunities. - **Diverse roles**: Openings range from Senior Full Stack Engineer and Quantitative Geneticist to Technical Sales Representatives and Greenhouse Technicians — appealing to both technical and commercial talent. - **Location & flexibility**: Headquarters in South San Francisco, CA, with remote roles available for some positions (e.g., Technical Sales Representatives across multiple US regions). Presence in Brazil and UAE offers global exposure. - **Perks**: Not explicitly listed, but as a well-funded private company, competitive compensation and equity are likely. The company emphasizes "improving the lives of farmers" and a collaborative, truth-seeking culture. ## Sources 1. [ohalo.com](https://www.ohalo.com/) 2. [ohalo.com/about](https://www.ohalo.com/about) 3. [Greenhouse Careers](https://job-boards.greenhouse.io/ohalogenetics) 4. [Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ohalo_Genetics) 5. [LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/company/ohalo-genetics) ## Other roles at Ohalo - [Product Manager - AI-Native Business Systems](https://feeny.ai/job/product-manager-ai-native-business-systems-ohalo-south-san-francisco-zyfvp2sjy3dv) — South San Francisco, CA - [Greenhouse Maintenance Technician](https://feeny.ai/job/greenhouse-maintenance-technician-ohalo-watsonville-5as3swhxtpyj) — Watsonville, CA - [Field Technician – True Potato Seed Production](https://feeny.ai/job/field-technician-true-potato-seed-production-ohalo-watsonville-m0pbwqchnncx) — Watsonville, CA - [Global Crop Product Manager](https://feeny.ai/job/global-crop-product-manager-ohalo-south-san-francisco-6byvykwzefnx) — South San Francisco, CA - [Executive Assistant to the President & Chief Operating Officer](https://feeny.ai/job/executive-assistant-to-the-president-chief-operating-officer-ohalo-south-san-qbkhy1hs25g4) — South San Francisco, CA - [Business Development Lead](https://feeny.ai/job/business-development-lead-ohalo-south-san-francisco-n1bc9tccc4ye) — South San Francisco, CA - [Biotech Program Manager](https://feeny.ai/job/biotech-program-manager-ohalo-south-san-francisco-kkmf971cb6wc) — South San Francisco, CA - [Greenhouse Technician](https://feeny.ai/job/greenhouse-technician-ohalo-watsonville-85xh750e2xbm) — Watsonville, CA