Description

The Maintenance Manager will lead the Big Stone thermal energy storage power plant through construction, commissioning, and ongoing operations. This role blends hands‑on technical leadership with people management, safety stewardship, and cross‑functional collaboration, directly contributing to the demonstration and scaling of Antora’s long‑duration energy storage technology.

In this role the manager will build, coach, and motivate a high‑performing maintenance organization, create an inclusive environment, provide clear direction and performance feedback, and participate in recruiting top talent. They will champion safety, develop and improve maintenance strategies and SOPs, ensure reliable equipment operation, oversee diverse maintenance activities, and verify contractor work.

The manager will act as the primary technical interface among engineering, operations, maintenance, and external partners, translating objectives into actionable plans, allocating resources, managing the plant operating budget, and capturing learnings to shape Antora’s maintenance playbook for future sites.

• Build, coach, and motivate a high‑performing maintenance team focused on ownership and craftsmanship.
• Foster an inclusive work environment that promotes learning, development, and continuous improvement.
• Lead recruitment and staffing plans to secure top maintenance talent.
• Champion safety compliance with health, regulatory, and company standards.
• Develop, implement, and refine maintenance strategies, standards, and SOPs for the TES plant.
• Oversee commissioning, control room, crane, IC&E, plant, vehicle, and water‑treatment maintenance activities.
• Review, verify, and sign off on contractor work meeting scope, quality, and safety criteria.
• Interpret mechanical drawings, P&IDs, and electrical schematics to provide field guidance.
• Serve as primary technical liaison among engineering, operations, maintenance, and external partners.
• Translate objectives into actionable maintenance plans, timelines, and resource allocations.
• Manage plant operating budget, making decisions to meet cost, schedule, and performance targets.
• Capture lessons learned to develop Antora’s maintenance playbook for future projects.

Requirements

Candidates must have a high school diploma or technical training (associate’s or bachelor’s preferred) and at least 10 years of hands‑on industrial operations or maintenance experience, with strong mechanical and electrical knowledge. Experience with thermal energy storage, critical lifts, welding, pumps, motors, and fluid systems is strongly preferred, along with the ability to lead in ambiguous, first‑of‑a‑kind environments and willingness to relocate to Big Stone, South Dakota.

• Hold a high school diploma or technical/vocational training; associate’s or bachelor’s preferred.
• Possess 10+ years of hands‑on industrial operations or maintenance experience.
• Demonstrate strong mechanical expertise (critical lifts, welding, pumps, motors, fluid systems).
• Possess solid understanding of electrical systems, schematics, and safe motor/panel installation.
• Ability to lead in ambiguous, first‑of‑a‑kind environments.
• Willingness to relocate to Big Stone City, South Dakota.

Benefits

The position is field‑based with outdoor work in variable conditions at the Big Stone site. Salary ranges from $124,440 to $149,600, complemented by equity, premium health benefits, 401(k) contributions, flexible spending accounts, generous paid‑time‑off, and volunteer time off. Antora values diversity and seeks to empower employees to create meaningful climate impact.

• Competitive salary $124‑$149k plus stock options, premium health benefits, 401(k) with employer match, flexible spending accounts, generous PTO and volunteer time off.

Training + Development

Interview process

Visa Sponsorship

Security clearance