Director of Engineering

Local Bounti is a leading controlled environment agriculture (CEA)company. Our mission is to bring our farm to your kitchen and deliver the freshest, locally grown produce in the fewest food miles possible.

Our mission is rooted in sustainability and in turn human welfare.

By growing local we help eliminate food waste and provide fresh, high-quality produce. Our sustainable greenhouse technology delivers ideal growing conditions for each of our crops, resulting in 90% less water consumption and 95% less land use than conventional agriculture, no need for herbicides or pesticides , and the lowest carbon footprint in the industry .

We are committed to the growth and cultivation of our employee’s well-being , so that our employees feel that they are in a career environment that enables them to thrive personally and professionally. We provide an educational and safe work environment and are dedicated to helping our employees grow within the company. We are proud to offer a comprehensive Total Rewards package to employees working over 30 hours a week.

• Competitive Pay
• Indoor Agriculture Environment
• A culture focused on Work/Life Balance
• Health, Dental, and Vision and very competitive contribution rates
• Health Care Flexible Spending Account or Health Savings Account
• Generous Vacation Time and 5 Sick days each year
• 10 Company Paid Holidays
• Immediate access to participate in the 401(k) plan with up to 5% company match
• Basic and Voluntary Life / AD&D
• Voluntary Accident and Critical Illness coverage
• Voluntary STD/LTD
• Aflac
• Caregiver Support
• Training and Development
• Adoption Assistance Program
• Commuter Benefits (includes part-time and seasonal staff)
• MarketPlace Perks at Work
• Free Employee Assistance Program services that focus on health physically, emotionally, socially, and financially.

Local Bounti employees are empowered, valued, and respected. They have a passion for their work and for Local Bounti’s success. This shared passion for achievement is the lifeblood of our company.

The Director of Engineering will lead all engineering functions supporting Local Bounti’s advanced indoor growing facilities. This leader will own strategic direction, technical excellence, reliability, and continuous improvement across engineering disciplines—including mechanical, electrical, automation, and facility systems. The Director of Engineering ensures high performance across production sites, champions safety and sustainability, and drives innovation aligned with Local Bounti’s mission. The pay range will be $175,000 to $200,000 depending on experience.

Key Responsibilities

Engineering Leadership & Strategy

• Develop and execute the engineering strategy to support Local Bounti’s CEA operations, facilities expansion, and production optimization.
• Lead cross‑functional engineering teams in designing, maintaining, and improving grow systems, climate control, nutrient delivery, automation, and supporting infrastructure.
• Partner with Operations, R\&D, Horticulture, and Technology teams to scale Local Bounti’s proprietary systems.
• Establish engineering standards, best practices, and documentation for current and future facilities.

Project & Facilities Management

• Oversee planning, design, and execution of capital projects, including new greenhouse builds, retrofits, and major system upgrades.
• Manage vendor relationships, contractors, engineering consultants, and equipment suppliers.
• Drive project budgets, timelines, and risk mitigation while ensuring safety and regulatory compliance.

Technical Excellence & Innovation

• Advance Local Bounti’s engineering methods, leveraging data, automation, and sustainable technologies to enhance yield, quality, and energy efficiency.
• Evaluate and implement new systems and technologies to improve production capacity and operational resilience.
• Troubleshoot complex facility and equipment issues and lead root‑cause analyses.

Team Development

• Build, mentor, and lead a high‑performing engineering organization across multiple sites.
• Recruit and develop engineering talent aligned with Local Bounti’s culture of innovation, accountability, and sustainability.

Safety & Compliance

• Ensure all engineering activities comply with OSHA standards, food‑safe facility requirements, environmental regulations, and internal safety policies.
• Champion a culture of safety and reliability across facilities.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering (Mechanical, Electrical, Industrial, Agricultural, or similar required); master’s preferred.
• 10+ years of leadership experience in engineering, manufacturing, food production, indoor agriculture, or related heavy industrial environments.
• Demonstrated success scaling systems, implementing automation, and managing complex facilities.
• Experience leading capital projects and multidisciplinary engineering teams.
• Strong knowledge of mechanical systems, HVAC/climate control, fluid systems, building utilities, and industrial automation technologies.
• Excellent communication, cross‑functional leadership, and problem‑solving skills.
• Commitment to sustainability and innovation, reflecting Local Bounti’s values.

Physical Demands

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this role. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform these essential functions.

• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to sit, stand, walk, and use hands and fingers to operate equipment, tools, or technology interfaces.
• The employee may occasionally be required to lift, move, or carry up to 25 pounds .
• The role may involve occasional exposure to greenhouse environments , including warm, humid conditions, variable lighting, and proximity to mechanical or automated systems.
• The employee may be required to climb stairs, access elevated platforms, or navigate active construction or production areas during facility assessments, site visits, or project oversight.
• Personal protective equipment (PPE) may be required when accessing operational areas.

ADA Statement

Local Bounti is committed to providing reasonable accommodation to qualified individuals with disabilities. If you require assistance or accommodation during the application or hiring process, please notify Human Resources. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of this role.

EEO Statement

Local Bounti is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate based on race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or any other protected status.