VP of Capital Projects

Kunin Technologies•Chattanooga, TN

About The Position

Kunin Technologies is hiring a VP of Capital Projects to lead delivery of a group 14 metal chlorination plant being designed for an overseas industrial partner. The plant will convert metal-bearing feeds into electronic-grade metal through chlorination, purification, and hydrolysis, while Kunin’s proprietary ion-exchange media recovers metal from dilute process liquors. The partner will build and operate the plant; Kunin owns the process, design package, performance guarantee, and operating-team training. The VP will own scope, schedule, cost, and quality from the basic engineering package through mechanical completion, commissioning, performance testing, and handover. This includes selecting and managing the partner-country engineering contractor and modular skid fabricator, preparing the Class 3 capital estimate and project budget, and maintaining an integrated schedule targeting commercial operation in Q1 2028. Key milestones are issuing the basic engineering package and Class 3 estimate and releasing long-lead orders by May 21, 2027; achieving mechanical completion by December 31, 2027; and passing the performance test and reaching commercial operation by March 17, 2028. The role will establish Kunin’s capital projects function, including project controls, document control, contractor management, factory acceptance testing and site acceptance, and project-review processes with the partner. The VP will also develop front-end studies and estimates for subsequent plants and build and lead a team expected to execute work on two to three projects in parallel. The position reports to the CEO and works closely with the VP of Engineering and the partner’s site team.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in chemical, mechanical, or civil engineering.
At least 10 years delivering chemical, hydrometallurgical, or specialty-gas capital projects.
At least two plants taken from FEED through commissioning as a project manager or project director.
Experience managing an EPC or EPCM contractor and a fabricator on a modular, skid-built plant.
Experience running a Class 3 estimate and contractor bid evaluation.
Ability to work in a fast-paced and demanding atmosphere.
Creative problem-solving ability that brings together engineering, contracting, cost control, and field execution to hold a fixed commercial operation date.
Must be a U.S. citizen.
Ability to travel extensively overseas, including roughly one week in four during engineering and fabrication and extended site stays from November 2027 through the performance test.
Availability for frequently required extended hours and weekends to support critical project milestones.

Nice To Haves

PMP or equivalent certification.
Experience delivering projects overseas with local engineering and construction contractors.
Chlorine or hydrogen chloride service experience.

Responsibilities

Deliver the group 14 metal chlorination plant across scope, schedule, cost, quality, and HSE, from basic engineering through handover.
Select and manage the partner-country engineering and construction contractor and modular skid fabricator, including bid evaluation, contract administration, and change control.
Prepare the Class 3 capital and operating cost estimate and project budget, and provide monthly cost and schedule reporting to the joint venture board.
Maintain the integrated schedule across process development, engineering, procurement, fabrication, civil works, training, and commissioning.
Execute mechanical completion, pre-commissioning, and commissioning with the VP of Engineering through the performance test and commercial operation date.
Lead front-end scoping, pre-feasibility, and feasibility studies for subsequent plants, including Class 5 to Class 3 estimates, in parallel with delivery of the first plant.
Build and lead Kunin’s capital projects function and team, including project controls, document control, contractor management, FAT and site acceptance, and project-review cadence with the partner.