EarthOptics
Overview
Join EarthOptics as an Associate Director of Soil Science! Our mission is to be the leading soil information company, delivering maps that growers, farmers, ranchers, and other stakeholders use to cost‑effectively increase yields and improve soil health and the climate. We are creating a future where traditional sampling methods are obsolete. With the recent merger of EarthOptics and Pattern Ag, we are combining cutting‑edge genomic analysis, data science, microbiology, and remote sensing to revolutionize agriculture. Our unified mission is to help farmers and ranchers sustainably increase their yields and feed the growing world through all things soil.
We are a growing company with a passion for soil health, innovative technologies, and supporting all within the food value chain. We currently have ~100 individuals spread across 25 states and 2 countries, and they come from all walks of life, industries, and experiences. We are deeply focused on building the future of AgTech and sustainability and helping the world see soil differently.
The role The Associate Director of Soil Science will join our Soil Science team to impact our mission through people‑manager and individual‑contributor responsibilities. The role bridges strategic leadership and hands‑on technical work, managing multi‑site teams (chemistry, carbon, and production) and partnering closely with cross‑functional stakeholders in Data Science, Engineering, and Hardware.
Job details
Job Type: Full‑Time, Exempt
Work Location: Emeryville, CA
Travel: ~10% of the time
Target Start Date: ASAP
Compensation: $122,000 – $139,000 annually (base pay depends on skills, experience, and education)
What you’ll cultivate as a Director of Soil Science Supervisory Responsibilities
Recruit, interview, hire, and train staff.
Provide effective leadership to the Soil Science team, setting clear goals, defining roles, and fostering a positive collaborative environment.
Assign tasks and projects based on skills and workload, ensuring equitable distribution aligned with organizational priorities.
Develop and implement efficient workflows and processes for managing the team.
Ensure all employees are aware of company policies and maintain compliance.
Maintain accountability for delivering quality work on schedule and within budget.
Work with direct reports to identify professional development opportunities and provide mentorship, coaching, and feedback.
Model and encourage behaviors consistent with autonomy, accountability, recognition, respect, information sharing, and best intent.
Individual Contributor Duties & Responsibilities
Lab & Operational Leadership
End‑to‑end ownership of lab throughput and turnaround time across all soil chemistry and carbon programs; accountability for meeting commercial SLAs, seasonal demand spikes, and peak‑volume periods.
Oversee daily lab operations across chemistry and carbon analysis, including sample preparation, elemental analysis, and nutrient profiling.
Forecast sample volume and develop seasonal staffing plans, including temporary labor, cross‑training, and overtime strategy.
Own and continually improve workflows for sample receiving, processing, chain‑of‑custody tracking, and shipping/receiving of samples.
Maintain and improve the soil library, ensuring samples are well‑organized and traceable.
Uphold a safety‑first culture with appropriate PPE, equipment safety, and regulatory compliance.
Lab Automation, Data Quality & Analysis
Partner with hardware automation engineers and software teams to deploy, maintain, and optimize lab automation solutions.
Design and oversee robust automated QC frameworks for all soil assays, including controls, rerun criteria, and QC checks within LIMS and analytics tools.
Monitor instrument performance, throughput metrics, and error rates using dashboards and data analysis to drive continuous improvement.
Ensure calibration, maintenance, and troubleshooting plans for key instruments.
Collaborate with Data Science and Software teams to improve data pipelines from raw output to client‑ready reports and internal model inputs.
AI, Analytics & Personal Productivity
Champion responsible use of AI tools within the team for workflow automation, documentation, SOP drafting, experiment planning, and exploratory data analysis.
Build and maintain lightweight automations (scripts, AI‑assisted templates, workflow tools) to reduce manual data wrangling, reporting, and scheduling overhead.
Train and mentor team members on effective AI use within company guidelines.
Cross‑Functional Collaboration & Strategic Contributions
Work with the CTO to translate company strategy and commercial demand into lab capacity plans, staffing models, and capital needs.
Partner with Engineering and Hardware to align lab workflows and instrumentation with field sensing and digital products.
Collaborate with Product and Commercial to understand client expectations, interpret lab data, and improve clarity of delivered reports.
Contribute to R&D programs developing novel protocols, methods, and assays.
Manage budgets for assigned lab functions, ensuring efficient resource use while meeting throughput and quality goals.
Are you our soil‑mate? You’ll bloom in this role if you have experience in:
Bachelor’s degree or higher in soil science, soil chemistry, agronomy, environmental science, chemistry, or a closely related field.
6+ years of experience in soil chemistry, carbon analysis, or related laboratory operations, including at least 2–3 years in a leadership or supervisory role.
Experience managing high‑volume laboratory operations in an agricultural, environmental, or similar industry strongly preferred.
Hands‑on experience with elemental analyzers, spectroscopic or ICP‑based instruments, and other core soil lab equipment.
Prior exposure to lab automation (robotics, conveyance systems, automated sample exchange) is strongly preferred.
Strong leadership and people‑management skills, including experience supervising lab teams and seasonal workforces in a fast‑paced, high‑throughput environment.
Deep knowledge of soil chemistry and/or carbon analysis, including techniques such as dry combustion, inorganic/organic carbon determination, and nutrient analyses.
Demonstrated ability to design, implement, and improve lab workflows, with a focus on automation, throughput, and quality.
Proficiency with laboratory information management systems (LIMS) and related software for sample tracking, QC, and reporting.
Strong quantitative skills and comfort working with large datasets (BigQuery/SQL), including statistical and visualization tools to monitor performance and quality.
Advanced user of AI tools for personal productivity and lab operations, with a track record of creating and maintaining practical automations.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills for both technical and non‑technical stakeholders.
Proven ability to multitask, prioritize, and remain effective in a fast‑paced environment with changing demands across multiple sites.
Strong problem‑solving skills and the ability to troubleshoot equipment, processes, and data anomalies under time constraints.
EEO & Inclusion Statement We are interested in every qualified candidate who is eligible to work in the United States. However, we are not able to sponsor or transfer visas at this time.
At EarthOptics, we embrace diversity and equality, and stand against any form of discrimination or harassment. We base all hiring and promotion decisions on business needs, job requirements, and individual qualifications, regardless of race, color, religion, gender, gender identity, national origin, age, marital status, parental status, veteran status, or disability.
If you require assistance during the job application or interview process, need support to perform essential job functions, or seek other benefits and privileges of employment, please reach out to us at accommodations@earthoptics.com.
Benefits & Compensation
Medical, Dental & Vision Insurance – 95% funded by EarthOptics for benefit‑eligible employees and 55% for dependents.
Company‑paid LTD, STD, and Life Insurance.
Meaningful equity option grants.
401k Plan + Employer Match up to 4%.
17 days of paid time off, plus 10 additional company holidays.
Parental Leave.
Professional Development Stipend + access to learning platforms.
Candidate Referral Program.
Above and Beyond Bonus Program.
Flexible Schedule & Hybrid/Remote Work Environment.
Regular opportunities to give feedback on our benefits offerings.
How we stay grounded
We rely on Slack for communication.
We love both food and emojis at EarthOptics – you’ll come to love taco and donut emojis.
Instead of values, we believe in actionable “cultural concepts.” Our concepts are Autonomy, Accountability, Collaboration, Customer Centricity, Grit, and Grace.
#J-18808-Ljbffr
We are a growing company with a passion for soil health, innovative technologies, and supporting all within the food value chain. We currently have ~100 individuals spread across 25 states and 2 countries, and they come from all walks of life, industries, and experiences. We are deeply focused on building the future of AgTech and sustainability and helping the world see soil differently.
The role The Associate Director of Soil Science will join our Soil Science team to impact our mission through people‑manager and individual‑contributor responsibilities. The role bridges strategic leadership and hands‑on technical work, managing multi‑site teams (chemistry, carbon, and production) and partnering closely with cross‑functional stakeholders in Data Science, Engineering, and Hardware.
Job details
Job Type: Full‑Time, Exempt
Work Location: Emeryville, CA
Travel: ~10% of the time
Target Start Date: ASAP
Compensation: $122,000 – $139,000 annually (base pay depends on skills, experience, and education)
What you’ll cultivate as a Director of Soil Science Supervisory Responsibilities
Recruit, interview, hire, and train staff.
Provide effective leadership to the Soil Science team, setting clear goals, defining roles, and fostering a positive collaborative environment.
Assign tasks and projects based on skills and workload, ensuring equitable distribution aligned with organizational priorities.
Develop and implement efficient workflows and processes for managing the team.
Ensure all employees are aware of company policies and maintain compliance.
Maintain accountability for delivering quality work on schedule and within budget.
Work with direct reports to identify professional development opportunities and provide mentorship, coaching, and feedback.
Model and encourage behaviors consistent with autonomy, accountability, recognition, respect, information sharing, and best intent.
Individual Contributor Duties & Responsibilities
Lab & Operational Leadership
End‑to‑end ownership of lab throughput and turnaround time across all soil chemistry and carbon programs; accountability for meeting commercial SLAs, seasonal demand spikes, and peak‑volume periods.
Oversee daily lab operations across chemistry and carbon analysis, including sample preparation, elemental analysis, and nutrient profiling.
Forecast sample volume and develop seasonal staffing plans, including temporary labor, cross‑training, and overtime strategy.
Own and continually improve workflows for sample receiving, processing, chain‑of‑custody tracking, and shipping/receiving of samples.
Maintain and improve the soil library, ensuring samples are well‑organized and traceable.
Uphold a safety‑first culture with appropriate PPE, equipment safety, and regulatory compliance.
Lab Automation, Data Quality & Analysis
Partner with hardware automation engineers and software teams to deploy, maintain, and optimize lab automation solutions.
Design and oversee robust automated QC frameworks for all soil assays, including controls, rerun criteria, and QC checks within LIMS and analytics tools.
Monitor instrument performance, throughput metrics, and error rates using dashboards and data analysis to drive continuous improvement.
Ensure calibration, maintenance, and troubleshooting plans for key instruments.
Collaborate with Data Science and Software teams to improve data pipelines from raw output to client‑ready reports and internal model inputs.
AI, Analytics & Personal Productivity
Champion responsible use of AI tools within the team for workflow automation, documentation, SOP drafting, experiment planning, and exploratory data analysis.
Build and maintain lightweight automations (scripts, AI‑assisted templates, workflow tools) to reduce manual data wrangling, reporting, and scheduling overhead.
Train and mentor team members on effective AI use within company guidelines.
Cross‑Functional Collaboration & Strategic Contributions
Work with the CTO to translate company strategy and commercial demand into lab capacity plans, staffing models, and capital needs.
Partner with Engineering and Hardware to align lab workflows and instrumentation with field sensing and digital products.
Collaborate with Product and Commercial to understand client expectations, interpret lab data, and improve clarity of delivered reports.
Contribute to R&D programs developing novel protocols, methods, and assays.
Manage budgets for assigned lab functions, ensuring efficient resource use while meeting throughput and quality goals.
Are you our soil‑mate? You’ll bloom in this role if you have experience in:
Bachelor’s degree or higher in soil science, soil chemistry, agronomy, environmental science, chemistry, or a closely related field.
6+ years of experience in soil chemistry, carbon analysis, or related laboratory operations, including at least 2–3 years in a leadership or supervisory role.
Experience managing high‑volume laboratory operations in an agricultural, environmental, or similar industry strongly preferred.
Hands‑on experience with elemental analyzers, spectroscopic or ICP‑based instruments, and other core soil lab equipment.
Prior exposure to lab automation (robotics, conveyance systems, automated sample exchange) is strongly preferred.
Strong leadership and people‑management skills, including experience supervising lab teams and seasonal workforces in a fast‑paced, high‑throughput environment.
Deep knowledge of soil chemistry and/or carbon analysis, including techniques such as dry combustion, inorganic/organic carbon determination, and nutrient analyses.
Demonstrated ability to design, implement, and improve lab workflows, with a focus on automation, throughput, and quality.
Proficiency with laboratory information management systems (LIMS) and related software for sample tracking, QC, and reporting.
Strong quantitative skills and comfort working with large datasets (BigQuery/SQL), including statistical and visualization tools to monitor performance and quality.
Advanced user of AI tools for personal productivity and lab operations, with a track record of creating and maintaining practical automations.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills for both technical and non‑technical stakeholders.
Proven ability to multitask, prioritize, and remain effective in a fast‑paced environment with changing demands across multiple sites.
Strong problem‑solving skills and the ability to troubleshoot equipment, processes, and data anomalies under time constraints.
EEO & Inclusion Statement We are interested in every qualified candidate who is eligible to work in the United States. However, we are not able to sponsor or transfer visas at this time.
At EarthOptics, we embrace diversity and equality, and stand against any form of discrimination or harassment. We base all hiring and promotion decisions on business needs, job requirements, and individual qualifications, regardless of race, color, religion, gender, gender identity, national origin, age, marital status, parental status, veteran status, or disability.
If you require assistance during the job application or interview process, need support to perform essential job functions, or seek other benefits and privileges of employment, please reach out to us at accommodations@earthoptics.com.
Benefits & Compensation
Medical, Dental & Vision Insurance – 95% funded by EarthOptics for benefit‑eligible employees and 55% for dependents.
Company‑paid LTD, STD, and Life Insurance.
Meaningful equity option grants.
401k Plan + Employer Match up to 4%.
17 days of paid time off, plus 10 additional company holidays.
Parental Leave.
Professional Development Stipend + access to learning platforms.
Candidate Referral Program.
Above and Beyond Bonus Program.
Flexible Schedule & Hybrid/Remote Work Environment.
Regular opportunities to give feedback on our benefits offerings.
How we stay grounded
We rely on Slack for communication.
We love both food and emojis at EarthOptics – you’ll come to love taco and donut emojis.
Instead of values, we believe in actionable “cultural concepts.” Our concepts are Autonomy, Accountability, Collaboration, Customer Centricity, Grit, and Grace.
#J-18808-Ljbffr