Rust Automation & Controls is afamily-owned industrial automation company celebrating 50 years in business , with a 10-year and growing presence in California. We specialize in valves, instrumentation, automation solutions, and high-touch technical services for mission-critical industrial applications.Our culture is grounded in long‑term relationships, both with customers and with our people. Leadership is accessible, decisions are made quickly, and we care deeply about how we show up in the field for our team and customers. We are not a volume-driven, transactional sales organization. We win by being trusted, responsive, and service-oriented.This is a rare opportunity tobuild and own the life sciences vertical in Californiafor a stable, values‑driven company with meaningful growth ambitions.Position Overview Director of Life Sciences – California (Bay Area Focus)Outside Sales Leadership | Biotech & Pharma ManufacturingLocation:South San Francisco–based (must live within ~45 minutes) Territory includes the greater Bay Area and nearby life sciences hubs.CompensationCommission:$50,000–$100,000+We believe the compensation plan should realistically be 200k+; this person will be highly compensated with clear metrics that justify the cost. 80% of the commission compensation will be directly based on GM from customer accounts in the Bay Area, and the remaining 20% will be a lump sum contingent on LS GM growth across the territory.We are hiring aDirector of Life Sciences – Californiato lead and grow our life sciences business across the Bay Area and surrounding biotech hubs. This is asenior individual contributor rolewith significant autonomy, visibility, and influence.While this role includes new customer development, it is ideally suited for someone who already bringsexisting relationships in Bay Area biotech, pharma manufacturing, and CDMOsand is excited to turn those relationships into long‑term partnerships centered on the diverse offerings of our manufacturing partners.You will own the life sciences portfolio in California, driving growth through a combination ofproject-based sellingandrecurring, relationship‑driven business, supported by a strong inside sales, applications engineering, and project team based out of Salt Lake City. You will report directly to the Regional Vice President and work closely with senior management to shape strategy in this vertical.What you will doOwn and grow Rust Automation’slife sciences business in California, with a heavy focus on the Bay AreaLeverage existing biotech and pharma relationships to accelerate market entry and credibilityDevelopnew strategic accountswhile expanding presence within existing customersValves and instrumentationService capabilities,including calibration, commissioning, and loop verification—often a key door‑opener in regulated life sciences environmentsEngage regularly with:Process engineersMaintenance & reliability teamsProcurement and sourcingManage long-cycle, specification-driven project opportunities while building repeat and preferred‑vendor business.Serve as a trusted, visible presence at customer sites. This is a field‑based, customer‑facing role with direct account responsibility.Local day travel primarily, approximately twoovernight trips per month.Qualifications5+ years of experience selling into the life sciences market (biotech, pharma manufacturing, and/or CDMOs required)Existing Bay Area life sciences relationships you can activateA strong communicator who builds trust easily and enjoys being face‑to‑face with customersSelf‑motivated, organized, and comfortable operating independentlyService‑oriented mindset, you care deeply about customer outcomes, not just closing dealsTechnically curious and credible (you don’t need to be an engineer, but you know how to navigate technical conversations)Cheerful, grounded, and collaborative, not a “lone-wolf” or hard‑charging, ego-driven sellerSomeone who values long‑term relationships, stability, and culture, not just the next logoWhat Success Looks Like (12–18 Months)Tripling life sciences revenuein the territory. Currently, 500k in LS GM across CA, 70k in the Bay Area. All numbers exclude service revenue.Establishingat least six new strategic life sciences accounts,\"s trategic" is defined as accounts with over 50k in GM.Becoming a primary vendor at two or more key biotech or pharma facilities, with 100k or more in GM.Being recognized internally and externally as Rust Automation’s life sciences leader in CaliforniaCompetitive paid time off401(k) with company matchCompany VehicleWhy This Role is DifferentYou’re not inheriting a crowded territory, you’rebuilding something meaningfulYou’ll havereal autonomywith executive visibility and supportYou’ll represent afamily-owned company with staying power, not a short‑term roll‑upThis role is designed as along‑term career home, with room to grow as the life sciences vertical expandsThe pay range for this role is:175,000 - 250,000 USD per year (San Francisco)#J-18808-Ljbffr