Senior Project Manager

About the Role

We are seeking a Senior Project Manager to support the execution of complex, multidisciplinary technical and commercial programs. The ideal candidate has experience managing engineering, manufacturing, construction, infrastructure, biotech, or other technically complex projects and is excited to help drive the development of our first-of-a-kind Demo facility as well as future commercial initiatives. Candidates may come from engineering, advanced manufacturing, infrastructure, construction, biotech, or related technical industries. Experience supporting capital projects, pilot plants, facility buildouts, scale-up initiatives, or other technically demanding programs is highly valued. Experience working with early-stage R&D teams is a plus. The person in this role will manage ongoing projects, support the maturation of our Product Development Process (PDP), and help implement systems and processes that improve program execution and visibility across the organization. This candidate will partner closely with technical and business stakeholders to ensure projects remain aligned, risks are proactively managed, and key milestones are achieved. The person in this role will play a critical role in helping Alta scale its operational capabilities while maintaining execution excellence in a fast-paced startup environment.

Key Responsibilities

• Project Execution: Manage the lifecycle of key technical and operational projects, including pilot, demo and scale-up initiatives, from planning through execution, ensuring timelines, deliverables, and project objectives are achieved.
• Process & Systems Improvement: Support the implementation and continuous improvement of project management processes, reporting structures, and tools to improve project visibility, accountability, and execution.
• Schedule & Budget Management: Develop and maintain project schedules and budgets; coordinate with functional leads to monitor progress, resource allocation, and financial performance.
• Risk & Issue Management: Identify project risks, roadblocks, and resource constraints early; work with project stakeholders to develop mitigation plans and maintain execution momentum.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Partner closely with engineering, chemistry, biology, operations, and commercial teams to align priorities, manage dependencies, and drive successful project outcomes.
• Project Reporting & Communication: Prepare and deliver project updates, status reports, and executive summaries for leadership and external stakeholders as required.
• Documentation & Compliance: Maintain project documentation, action logs, technical reports, and deliverables in accordance with internal standards and partner requirements.
• Operational Excellence: Contribute to the development of scalable project management practices and help establish operational rigor as the company grows.

Required Qualifications

• 5 - 8 years of experience managing or supporting multidisciplinary technical, engineering, construction, manufacturing, infrastructure, biotech, or related projects. 
• Experience leading or coordinating technically complex programs involving multiple stakeholders, timelines, and dependencies.
• Strong understanding of project management principles including scheduling, budgeting, risk management, resource planning, and project execution.
• Proven ability to collaborate and communicate effectively with technical leaders across disciplines such as engineering, biology, chemistry, operations, or commercial teams.
• Strong organizational, communication, and stakeholder management skills with the ability to operate effectively in fast-paced environments. 
• Experience with project management software such as SmartSheets, Microsoft Project, Jira, or similar tools.
• U.S. citizenship required.

Preferred, But Not Required

• PMP, PE, or relevant technical certifications are a plus.
• Experience supporting engineering scale-up efforts, pilot facilities, manufacturing operations, construction projects, or capital programs.
• Experience supporting government-funded, DoD, infrastructure, or other highly regulated technical programs.
• Experience working at a Series A or other high-growth startup environment.
• Experience contributing to or supporting DoD proposals or government partner deliverables.

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 $130,000 to $160,000 annually, commensurate with educational background and work experience.
• Benefits including, 401(K) medical, dental, and vision plans, or equivalent, will be provided.
  • Paid parental leave, paid sick leave, flexible time off, company holidays.