The RoleWe are seeking a Project Manager to join the H2 Center of Excellence (COE) R&D team in Burlington, MA. In this role you will own the planning, execution, and delivery of hydrogen technology innovation projects - spanning electrolyzer product development, materials research, system integration, and pilot-scale demonstrations. You will coordinate across engineering, chemistry, manufacturing, procurement, and product management disciplines, and serve as the primary bridge between our U.S. and Asia-based engineering teams.
You will report to the H2 COE Program Director and work closely with a cross-functional team of engineers, scientists, and global operations partners to bring green hydrogen technology from concept to commercial scale.
Key Responsibilities1. Project Planning & Execution- Develop detailed project plans, schedules, milestones, and resource allocations for R&D initiatives.
- Define project scope with technical leads and ensure alignment with the product roadmap and strategic goals.
- Manage project risk logs, mitigation plans, and contingency scenarios.
- Track progress using structured stage-gate, Agile, or hybrid R&D processes appropriate to the project phase.
2. Cross-Functional Coordination- Facilitate collaboration across mechanical, chemical, electrical, controls, and materials engineering teams.
- Coordinate with Product Management to align R&D outputs with customer requirements and commercialization timelines.
- Partner with Procurement and Supply Chain to secure specialized equipment, components, and lab materials.
- Serve as the primary liaison between U.S. and China engineering teams, ensuring clear, timely, and culturally-informed communication.
3. Technical Program Leadership- Review engineering documentation, experiment plans, test data, and design revisions to ensure alignment with project objectives.
- Lead problem-solving sessions and root-cause analysis when technical challenges arise.
- Support definition and execution of Engineering Validation Testing (EVT), Design Verification Testing (DVT), and pilot deployment testing for electrolyzers and hydrogen systems.
- Ensure IP documentation, data-sharing protocols, and design records are maintained in accordance with company policy.
4. Safety & Compliance- Ensure all R&D activities meet safety regulations, hazardous materials handling standards, and company EHS policies.
- Maintain documentation for risk assessments, safe operating procedures (SOPs), and incident reports.
- Partner with lab managers and EHS teams to maintain safe working environments across chemical labs, test bays, and pilot sites.
5. Budget & Reporting- Prepare and manage project budgets, forecasts, and procurement plans.
- Track R&D spending, material consumption, prototype costs, and vendor expenses.
- Present regular status updates, KPI dashboards, and risk assessments to senior leadership.
- Support government grant or program reporting where applicable (e.g., DOE, ARPA-E).
6. International & Supplier Collaboration- Manage timelines and deliverables from external partners, testing labs, research institutions, and component suppliers.
- Coordinate logistics for prototype manufacturing, shipment, installation, and field testing.
- Ensure documentation, IP, and data-sharing protocols are followed across all external partnerships.
7. Documentation & Continuous Improvement- Maintain structured project documentation aligned with engineering quality systems.
- Support development of standard procedures, design records, BOMs, test reports, and lessons learned.
- Drive continuous improvement in R&D project execution through retrospective reviews and process refinement.
What Success Looks Like in Year 1- All active R&D programs have updated project plans, risk logs, and milestone schedules within the first 60 days.
- U.S.-Asia communication cadence and operating norms established and running reliably.
- At least one electrolyzer development program advanced through a major stage-gate (EVT or DVT completion).
- Budget tracking and executive reporting process standardized and delivering on schedule.
QualificationsEducation & Experience- Bachelor's degree in Engineering, a STEM-related field, or equivalent technical discipline.
- 5-10 years of experience managing hardware or product development projects; experience in clean energy, hydrogen, fuel cells, electrolyzers, or chemical process systems strongly preferred.
- PMP certification (or active pursuit) strongly preferred; equivalent demonstrated competency considered.
- Demonstrated experience in R&D environments involving advanced prototyping or early-stage technology development.
Technical Competencies- Working knowledge of electrolyzer technologies (PEM, AEM, alkaline) and hydrogen production principles.
- Familiarity with engineering development lifecycles: concept, modeling, prototyping, testing, validation, and scale-up.
- Ability to interpret technical drawings, process flow diagrams, P&IDs, and test data.
- Knowledge of materials science, chemical safety, and gas handling systems is a plus.
Project Management Skills- Proficiency with project management tools such as MS Project, Jira, Notion, or equivalent scheduling and tracking platforms.
- Demonstrated ability to manage complex, multi-disciplinary engineering efforts with multiple concurrent workstreams.
- Skilled in risk planning, critical path analysis, and resource allocation.
- Comfortable driving decisions and alignment across teams without direct reporting authority.
Communication & Leadership- Excellent verbal and written communication skills, including executive-level reporting.
- Proven track record working with international teams and navigating cross-cultural communication - particularly U.S.-Asia dynamics.
- Strong facilitation and problem-solving skills.
- Proficiency in Mandarin is preferred given regular collaboration with engineering, supply chain, and quality teams in Asia.
Safety, Quality & Compliance- Knowledge of laboratory safety, hazardous materials handling, and hydrogen system safety standards.
- Experience supporting QA/QC processes and engineering documentation controls.
- Commitment to precision, accuracy, and disciplined engineering practice.
Compensation & BenefitsSalary: $130,000 - $175,000 + Annual Performance Bonus, depending on experience
Full benefits package includes:- Fully paid medical, dental, and vision insurance
- Short- and long-term disability coverage
- Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs) for medical, dependent care, and commuter expenses
- Additional life insurance options
- 401(k) retirement savings plan with employer match
- Generous vacation and paid time off (PTO) policy
- 8 federal holidays plus 4 floating holidays
- Sick leave
- Employer contributions toward monthly benefit premiums and gym membership
