Job Description

Keep the Wash Running. Lead the Team. Drive Operational Excellence.

At Soapy Joe's, we're more than a car wash. We're a fast-growing, award-winning company obsessed with delivering an exceptional customer experience while building a culture our team members love.

We're looking for an experienced Maintenance Manager to lead maintenance operations across our growing network of car wash locations. This is a hands-on leadership role responsible for maximizing equipment uptime, improving wash quality, leading a team of technicians, and ensuring our sites operate safely and efficiently every day. The role also supports equipment installations, new site openings, startup testing, and preventative maintenance initiatives across the organization.

IMPORTANT: Car Wash Experience Required

This is not a general facilities maintenance position.

To be successful in this role, candidates must have direct experience working on conveyorized or automated car wash equipment, including troubleshooting, repair, preventative maintenance, and equipment installation support. Experience limited to facility maintenance, HVAC, construction, property management, or unrelated industrial maintenance environments will not be considered sufficient.

What You'll Do

Lead Maintenance Operations

• Lead, coach, and develop a team of Maintenance Technicians.
• Prioritize maintenance work across multiple locations to support business needs.
• Build a culture of accountability, professionalism, safety, and continuous improvement.
• Partner with Operations leaders to quickly address equipment issues that impact site performance.

Improve Equipment Reliability

• Drive improvements in equipment uptime and wash quality.
• Diagnose and resolve complex mechanical, electrical, hydraulic, and operational issues.
• Lead preventative maintenance programs designed to reduce downtime and extend equipment life.
• Support new site openings, equipment installations, startup testing, commissioning, and system verification.

Partner Across the Business

• Work closely with District Managers, Site Managers, and Operations Leadership.
• Train site leaders on maintenance best practices and preventative maintenance procedures.
• Identify operational inefficiencies and implement corrective solutions that improve performance.

Manage Resources and Vendors

• Oversee maintenance inventory, parts ordering, and equipment readiness.
• Develop strong vendor partnerships and manage service providers.
• Identify opportunities to reduce maintenance costs while improving performance and reliability.

Champion Safety

• Ensure compliance with company safety standards and OSHA requirements.
• Promote safe work practices and maintain a strong safety culture across the maintenance function.

Requirements

What We're Looking For

Required Qualifications

• 5+ years of maintenance leadership experience.
• Direct experience maintaining and troubleshooting conveyorized or automated car wash systems.
• Experience supporting or leading car wash equipment installation projects, including startup, testing, and commissioning activities.
• Strong mechanical, electrical, hydraulic, and troubleshooting expertise.
• Experience developing and managing preventative maintenance programs.
• Ability to lead technicians and manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.
• Strong communication, leadership, and problem-solving skills.
• Knowledge of OSHA regulations and maintenance safety practices.
• Ability to travel regularly between locations throughout the San Diego area.
• Experience managing maintenance operations across multiple sites preferred.

Why Soapy Joe's?

At Soapy Joe's, you'll play a critical role in keeping our operations running at peak performance. You'll have the opportunity to lead a talented maintenance team, support exciting growth initiatives, influence operational performance across the company, and make a direct impact on the experience our customers receive every day.

Our team is guided by values that promote community, integrity, learning, accountability, and having fun while doing great work. If you're passionate about equipment reliability, leadership, and building world-class maintenance operations, we'd love to hear from you.