Senior Technical Program Manager

Thea Energy • Kearny, NJ

1d

About The Position

Thea Energy is seeking an experienced Technical Program Manager to lead a large, complex custom product development program in the fusion energy industry. This highly visible role will lead manufacturing development of core magnet technology and help increase development velocity and execution standards. The position oversees scaling magnet production from concept through pilot production and toward commercial-scale ramps to advance fusion technology.

Thea Energy is developing a new stellarator architecture using computer-controlled arrays of planar coils, with the goal of creating a faster, simpler path to commercial fusion energy and a limitless source of zero-emission energy.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering or a related technical field.
• 5+ years leading complex, multidisciplinary engineering programs, ideally involving large-scale hardware development in climate tech, aerospace, nuclear, or related industries.
• Demonstrated experience in a manufacturing ramp setting and delivering concept- and pilot-scale manufacturing development milestones.
• Demonstrated ability to work deeply with technical teams, including physics, mechanical engineering, magnet engineering, and manufacturing engineering, and solve first-of-a-kind problems.
• Strong understanding of design and manufacturing processes and the realities of design, build, and test cycles.
• Excellent communication skills and ability to influence engineering, operations, and leadership teams.
• Proven ability to distill complex technical programs into clear risks, decisions, and priorities for leadership audiences.
• Comfort operating in a fast-moving startup environment with high ownership and ambiguity.

Nice To Haves

• Manufacturing roadmap development experience.

Responsibilities

• Lead cross-functional manufacturing and operations programs from concept through pilot production, including process and equipment design, installation, qualification, and ramp.
• Oversee the selection, qualification, and management of external custom manufacturing vendors, ensuring adherence to specifications, quality standards, and delivery schedules.
• Guide the transition from prototype to large-scale manufacturing, including integration of large equipment and continuous process manufacturing techniques.
• Provide regular, detailed program updates to leadership and stakeholders, highlighting progress, technical challenges, and proposed solutions.
• Establish and track manufacturing readiness metrics, such as equipment readiness, process capability, throughput, and yield.
• Proactively identify and manage technical, schedule, budget, and quality risks; develop mitigation strategies and contingency plans.

Benefits

• Comprehensive health benefits, including medical, dental, and vision.
• Employee equity stock options.
• 20 days PTO.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior