As Construction Project Management Director, you will be responsible for overseeing the planning and implementation of first-of-kind water and Direct Air Capture (DAC) facilities in the United States and across the globe. The role requires experience in managing engineering design, construction, and operation of water treatment and carbon capture facilities. You will work closely with cross-functional teams to ensure projects are delivered on time, within budget, and to the highest of quality standards. As a small start-up, you will be expected to wear many hats, be self-motivated to drive projects forward and comfortable moving through uncertainty. We are looking for natural leaders with strong communication and organizational skills to effectively manage project scope, resources, and timelines.
• Project Planning & Controls: Develop comprehensive project execution plans including scope, budget, engineering milestones, procurement schedules, and construction timelines from conceptual design through commissioning and startup.
• Construction & Field Oversight: Manage EPC contractors, subcontractors, and field teams through all phases of construction; coordinate site logistics, safety compliance, and quality assurance for industrial facility builds.
• Cross-Functional Team Leadership: Lead and align internal engineering, operations, and commercial teams alongside external resources (design firms, fabricators, construction crews) throughout the project lifecycle.
• Stakeholder & Owner's Rep Communications: Serve as the primary point of contact for project stakeholders - including landowners, utilities, permitting agencies, and funding partners - providing regular progress updates, managing expectations, and resolving issues.
• Risk Management: Identify and mitigate project risks across engineering, procurement, construction, and permitting workstreams; maintain a living risk register and drive contingency planning.
• Value Engineering & Continuous Improvement: Identify opportunities for cost and schedule optimization early in the design process; facilitate engineering reviews and constructability assessments to find practical savings.
• Documentation & Project Controls: Maintain organized project records including engineering submittals, RFIs, change orders, construction schedules, progress reports, and meeting minutes to ensure transparency and accountability.
• Field Installations & Site Presence: [CA:] 10-20% travel for deployment site visits, construction milestones, and company retreats, with increased frequency during active construction phases.
What You Will Bring
This role manages physical infrastructure projects (engineering design, construction, and commissioning of industrial facilities) not software or IT implementations.
• 7-10+ years of experience as a project manager with a track record of successfully managing complex engineering design and construction projects from initial design to operation.
• Demonstrated success in management of capital projects ranging from pilot- to production-scale; budgets up to tens of millions USD.
• Demonstrated knowledge about general civil and mechanical construction is essential.
• Direct experience with water treatment infrastructure, including desalination, brine management, RO systems, or industrial wastewater, is highly valued.
• Demonstrated proficiency in reviewing engineering drawings (process flow diagrams, process and instrumentation diagrams, single line drawings, mechanical/civil plans etc).
• Experience with leading procurement processes, preparing request for proposals, and evaluating bids.
• Demonstrated knowledge of permitting requirements associated with construction.
• Competence in reviewing contracts with an understanding of how to structure contracts to de-risk projects.
• Excellent leadership, communication, and interpersonal skills.
• Demonstrated experience or strong motivation to work at a startup characterized by its dynamic, fast-paced nature, where innovation, agility, and resourcefulness are key drivers for growth and success.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with proactive approach to identifying and addressing project challenges.
• Bachelor's degree in relevant field (engineering, construction management, business administration, etc)
• PMP Certificate, PE License, or equivalent preferred but not required
• Preference to candidates based in California or are familiar with industrial players, local permitting, and regulatory requirements of California.
We are aware this job description may not capture all the dimensions we are seeking in the right candidate. You may also bring valuable skills and knowledge we haven't thought of. If you think you're a great fit for this role, please apply and tell us why in your cover letter. We look forward to hearing from you.
The salary range presented for this full-time role is $140,000-$160,000 USD + equity + benefits. Our salary ranges are determined by role, years of experience, and location. The range represents the minimum and maximum potential salaries for new hires in this particular position. Within this range, individual pay is determined by several factors, including job-related skills, experience, and education or training. Please note that the compensation details for this role reflect the cash compensation only and do not include equity or other benefits.
