Head of Project Management

About the Role

We are seeking a Head of Project Management to develop a world-class project management office. The ideal candidate has experience leading complex, multidisciplinary engineering projects to support the design, construction, and operation of our first-of-a-kind Demo facility as well as future commercial facilities. Experience managing early-stage R&D teams is a plus. The person in this role will support ongoing projects, mature our Product Development Process (PDP) and deploy systems to support program management.

As the company grows, this candidate will be responsible for building the team to support future endeavors. The person in this role will be critical for driving execution and managing risk profiles across technical and commercial teams.

Key Responsibilities

• Program Execution: Manage the full lifecycle of Demo plant implementation, from planning to commissioning while ensuring timelines, deliverables, and success metrics are met.
• Systems implementation: Develop PM functional capabilities by developing processes and tools to support multiple projects and to enable portfolio management.
• Schedule & Budget Oversight: Develop and maintain the master task schedule and integrated budget; ensure financials are tracked, validated, and reconciled with functional leads.
• Risk & Issue Management: Proactively identify risks, roadblocks, and resource constraints; escalate to executive leadership with thoughtful mitigation strategies.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Work hand-in-hand with technical and project leads (process engineering, chemistry, biology, commercial) to ensure alignment of execution and business priorities. Offer constructive challenge and strategic input based on sound technical judgment.
• External Reporting & Communication: Provide regular, structured updates to internal and external stakeholders such as the Department of Defense, U.S. Government stakeholders, and other external agencies.
• Documentation & Compliance: Ensure all project documentation, regulatory reports, and technical data packages are maintained, reviewed, and submitted in accordance with partner requirements.
• Leadership and Team Building: Develop a project management office that can support both internal project management and can deploy to external/partner sites as we develop commercial plants.

Required Qualifications 

• 10-15 years of experience managing large-scale, multidisciplinary technical projects in engineering, biotech, chemistry, advanced manufacturing, or related fields. Will consider fewer years if you have a PhD.
• Deep understanding of technical project lifecycles; strong skills in cross-functional risk management, project oversight, program leadership, etc.
• Proven skills and experience collaborating and communicating with scientific leaders across various disciplines such as biologists, chemists, and engineers.
• Exceptional communication and leadership skills—able to operate with executive presence and influence at all levels. ● Extensive experience with standard project management software such as SmartSheets, Microsoft Project, Jira, etc.
• U.S. citizenship required.

Preferred, But Not Required

• PMP, PE, or relevant technical certifications are a plus.
• Demonstrated success in managing complex government or dual-use programs, ideally involving the Department of Defense, or similar. ● Experience working with an engineering company at Series A stage.
• Jira software experience.
• Experience working on a DOD proposal.

What We Offer

• The opportunity to lead a breakthrough program redefining U.S. supply chain resilience in critical materials.
• A mission-driven, high-trust team operating at the intersection of innovation, national security, and sustainability.
• High Impact & Visibility: direct interaction and reporting to executive leadership.
• Competitive compensation and benefits package:
  • The starting salary range for this position is $170,000 to 200,000 annually, commensurate with educational background and work experience.
  • 401(K)
  • Medical, Dental, Vision plans (or equivalent) 
  • Flexible Time Off
  • Paid Parental Leave
  • Paid Sick Leave
  • Company Holidays