Capital Projects Lead

Heron Power•Scotts Valley, CA

3d•$150,000 - $200,000

About The Position

As the Capital Projects Lead at Heron Power, you will own the critical execution of cross-functional projects at the intersection of manufacturing, operations and infrastructure. You will own the delivery of factory readiness initiatives — from ideation and construction through production ramp — as well as high-impact special projects at HQ and Factory, including infrastructure upgrades and process improvements. In this role, you will serve as both a hands-on engineer and a program leader: scoping technical requirements, coordinating contractors and vendors, aligning internal teams, and ensuring projects are delivered safely, on time, and to specification. You’ll be a critical bridge between design engineering, manufacturing, and operations, ensuring our facilities and processes are ready to support rapid growth. This is a high-visibility role for an engineer who thrives in dynamic environments, enjoys building from the ground up, and wants to shape the foundation of a next-generation hardware manufacturing program – where you’ll shape breakthrough technology and build a no-surprises culture from the ground up.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in an engineering discipline (civil, mechanical, electrical) construction management, or a related field.
Minimum of 10 years of professional experience in facilities design, capital projects, and construction management, with a focus on manufacturing environments.
Proven experience successfully overseeing large-scale greenfield and/or brownfield manufacturing construction projects (>$50M preferred).
Demonstrated success managing design-build projects and working directly with external A/E firms and general contractors.
Deep technical knowledge and experience with the design, construction, and commissioning of complex facilities and utilities systems (e.g., HVAC, large-scale power distribution, industrial process utilities, etc.).
Extensive experience overseeing MEP construction phases of large industrial or manufacturing facilities, with a track record of achieving exceptional construction safety results and implementing strict quality control standards.
Experience with building information modeling (BIM), 3D coordination for clash detection, and leading constructability reviews.
Knowledge of OSHA standards for construction safety and proven ability to enforce rigorous safety protocols on job sites.
Familiarity with local and national building codes, permitting processes, and regulatory requirements.
Strong working knowledge of project scheduling software (e.g., Primavera, Microsoft Project, Smartsheet) and an understanding of critical path method (CPM) scheduling.
Familiarity with various contracting strategies and their associated risk profiles (e.g., EPC, GMP).

Nice To Haves

Experience in power electronics, electric vehicle, battery storage, or similar manufacturing sectors.
PMP or equivalent project management certification.
Experience with integrated project delivery (IPD) methods.
Experience navigating and securing complex environmental permits (e.g., air emissions permits, water discharge permits) related to manufacturing facilities.
Proven ability to interface with and successfully gain approval from authorities having jurisdiction (AHJs), including fire marshals and city/county planning departments.

Responsibilities

Design & Engineering Oversight Lead the engineering design scope for all facilities and utilities systems (e.g., HVAC, electrical, plumbing, architectural, IT, etc.) for a new manufacturing facility.
Define, review, and approve design specifications, engineering drawings, and scope documents provided by an external design-build firm.
Ensure designs adhere to all relevant local, state, and federal codes and regulations as well as internal company standards.
Project & Construction Management Serve as the primary technical contact and owner’s representative throughout the factory build process, from conceptual design through final commissioning.
Manage and oversee third-party engineering firms and general contractors, holding them accountable for safety, quality, schedule, and budget performance.
Oversee MEP (mechanical, electrical, and plumbing) construction activities, ensuring installations align with approved designs and quality specifications.
Proactively identify and mitigate construction risks, design conflicts, schedule delays, and budget overruns.
Utilities & Commissioning Execution Drive the successful design and commissioning of all critical facility and utilities systems to ensure reliable startup and operation on time to support process equipment commissioning activities.
Coordinate with internal engineering and operations teams to translate manufacturing process requirements into robust, scalable facility and utilities designs.
Permitting & Compliance Adherence Lead and manage the necessary permitting processes with local authorities having jurisdiction (AHJs) to secure approvals for design and construction activities.
Ensure construction activities and final installations are compliant with all applicable environmental, safety, and regulatory requirements.