Technical Project Manager

ORAU•Knoxville, TN

5d•Onsite

About The Position

ORAU is conducting the search on behalf of Type One Energy for a permanent, full-time Technical Project Manager in Knoxville, Tennessee. Type One Energy Group is mission-driven to provide sustainable, affordable fusion power to the world. Established in 2019 and venture-backed in 2023, the company is led by a team of globally recognized fusion scientists with a strong track record of building state-of-the-art stellarator fusion machines, together with veteran business leaders experienced in scaling companies and commercializing energy technologies. Type One Energy applies proven advanced manufacturing methods, modern computational physics and high-field superconducting magnets to develop its optimized stellarator fusion energy system. Its FusionDirect development program pursues the lowest-risk, shortest-schedule path to a fusion power plant over the coming decade, using a partner-intensive and capital-efficient strategy. Type One Energy is committed to community engagement in the development and deployment of its clean energy technology.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in engineering, Physics, or a related technical discipline.
Minimum of 5+ years of experience in technical program or project management, ideally in a high-tech, R&D-heavy, or energy sector.
Proven track record of leading complex, multi-disciplinary technical programs with successful outcomes.
Strong technical understanding of product development, engineering design, and systems integration.
Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills across both technical and executive audiences.
High proficiency with modern program management tools (e.g., Jira, Smartsheet, MS Project, Confluence).
Strong analytical skills and structured decision-making under uncertainty and ambiguity.

Nice To Haves

Advanced degree (M.S. or MBA) or project management certification is a plus.
PMP, PRINCE2, or Agile/Scrum certification.
Familiarity with fusion technologies, or large-scale experimental setups is highly desirable (e.g., vacuum systems, superconducting magnets, high-power RF, plasma diagnostics).

Responsibilities

Lead strategic planning, execution, and governance for complex technical programs aligned with company goals.
Own and drive cross-functional program delivery across engineering, physics, operations, and supply chain functions.
Develop and manage program roadmaps, detailed execution plans, and integrated schedules with clear milestones.
Serve as a liaison between technical teams, executive leadership, regulatory bodies, and external partners.
Define and track KPIs, technical deliverables, and critical path milestones, ensuring accountability across teams.
Identify and proactively manage risks through mitigation plans, scenario planning, and resource adjustments.
Forecast program budgets, resource needs, and capital expenditures in collaboration with finance and operations.
Drive continuous improvement in project delivery tools, methodologies, and cross-functional processes.
Mentor junior employees and contribute to building a high-performing program management capability.