Director, Facilities

Position Summary:

Gulf Copper is modernizing its Texas shipyards to support U.S. Navy, U.S. Coast Guard, and commercial new construction and repair. The Director, Facilities is a key member of the modernization effort and will ultimately own the operation, maintenance, compliance, and repair of all site infrastructure. During modernization, the Director represents operations in facility planning, design review, construction, commissioning, and turnover, ensuring new and upgraded assets are built to be operated and maintained efficiently. As modernization phases complete, the Director assumes full accountability for routine and corrective maintenance, regulatory compliance, and the long-term reliability of every building, waterfront structure, lift, crane, and utility system across the sites.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

This position is responsible for the following: Other duties may be assigned.

Site Modernization (Modernization Period):

• Serve as the operations and maintenance voice on the modernization team, working with the construction manager, design agent, engineering, and program leadership.

• Review facility, civil, utility, and waterfront designs at each stage for maintainability, operability, safety, code compliance, and lifecycle cost.

• Support construction sequencing to keep ongoing production and repair work running with minimal disruption.

• Lead operational readiness, including commissioning, acceptance testing, punch-list closure, warranty tracking, as-built documentation, O&M manuals, spares, and training at turnover.

• Provide input on master schedule, budget, and scope decisions, and report progress and risks to the Chief Operating Officer and President.

Facilities Operations and Maintenance (Steady State):

• Own the preventive, predictive, and corrective maintenance program for all buildings, piers, bulkheads, dry docks, shiplift, cranes, material-handling equipment, utilities, roads, and security infrastructure.

• Stand up and manage a computerized maintenance management system (CMMS), asset register, and condition-based maintenance plans; track key performance indicators such as equipment availability, preventive maintenance compliance, backlog, and cost per asset.

• Direct emergency and unplanned repairs, including hurricane preparedness, storm response, and business continuity for site infrastructure.

• Develop and manage the facilities operating budget and multi-year capital renewal plan.

• Build and lead the facilities organization, including maintenance supervisors, trades, planners, and technicians, and manage service contractors and vendors.

Compliance:

• Maintain site compliance with applicable federal, state, and local requirements, including OSHA 29 CFR 1915 and 1910, EPA and TCEQ environmental permits, NFPA and fire protection codes, and building and electrical codes.

• Maintain certification and inspection of dry docks, shiplift, cranes, and lifting equipment, including readiness for NAVSEA dry dock certification (MIL-STD-1625) and ASME B30 standards.

• Support facility security requirements under the Maritime Transportation Security Act (33 CFR 105) and physical security requirements for government programs, in coordination with Safety, Health & Security.

• Partner with Safety, Health & Security, Quality, and Environmental functions on audits, inspections, and corrective actions.

Required Education & Experience:

• Bachelor's degree in civil, mechanical, electrical, or industrial engineering, facilities management, or a related field.

• 12 or more years of facilities, plant engineering, or maintenance experience in heavy industrial settings, including at least 5 years leading multi-craft maintenance organizations.

• Direct experience supporting major capital construction, including design review, commissioning, and operational turnover.

• Working knowledge of OSHA, EPA, and fire and building code requirements for industrial facilities.

• Experience implementing or managing a CMMS and reliability-based maintenance program.

• U.S. citizenship and ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. government security clearance.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Shipyard, marine terminal, or waterfront facility experience, including dry docks, shiplifts, or heavy-lift cranes.

• Experience with U.S. Navy or Coast Guard facility requirements, including NAVSEA dry dock certification.

• Professional Engineer (PE), Certified Facility Manager (CFM), or Certified Maintenance & Reliability Professional (CMRP).

• Gulf Coast experience with hurricane preparedness and recovery.

Working Conditions:

• Office and active shipyard environment, including exposure to weather, heights, confined spaces, noise, and industrial hazards. Required PPE use. 

• On-call availability for emergencies and severe weather events. Regular travel between Galveston, Port Arthur, and Corpus Christi, Texas, as required.

Necessary Equipment Operation:

• Standard office equipment, personal protective equipment, computerized maintenance management systems, and facility inspection and communication equipment. 

• Must be able to safely access active shipyard facilities, waterfront structures, lifts, cranes, and utility areas as required.

Special Skills:

• Translates construction outcomes into reliable, maintainable operating assets.

• Balances production demands against maintenance, safety, and compliance priorities.

• Builds disciplined processes and a capable team in a growing organization.

• Communicates clearly with executives, contractors, regulators, and craft workforce.

• Strong knowledge of facility reliability, lifecycle planning, regulatory compliance, commissioning, and capital-project turnover.

* An Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, or protected veteran status and will not be discriminated against on the basis of disability. Know Your Rights. If you’d like to view a copy of the company’s affirmative action plan or policy statement, please email: [email protected].  If you have a disability and you believe you need a reasonable accommodation in order to search for a job opening or to submit an online application, please e-mail: [email protected].