Project Manager

Last Energy is a nuclear energy company that designs, builds, owns, and operates small modular reactors (SMRs) for industrial and commercial customers. The company's flagship product, the PWR-20, is a 20 MWe pressurized water reactor that is fully modular and factory-produced, enabling faster and more cost-effective deployment than traditional nuclear power plants. Last Energy serves as a behind-the-meter independent power producer, supplying reliable baseload electricity to energy-intensive industries including data centers, metals production, food and beverage, pulp and paper, chemicals, and cement manufacturing. The company's mission centers on making nuclear power radically simpler and more accessible by removing the burden of development, financing, and operations from customers through a power purchase agreement model. This approach aligns nuclear energy deployment with the urgent need for resilient, low-carbon power, particularly as demand from AI infrastructure and industrial growth accelerates. Last Energy's use of proven reactor technology combined with proprietary steel containment systems is designed to streamline licensing and reduce construction timelines. Last Energy represents a new generation of nuclear developers focused on decarbonizing hard-to-abate industrial sectors with firm, emissions-free power. By standardizing and modularizing the entire plant through factory manufacturing, the company aims to bring predictable costs and schedules to a sector historically challenged by both, positioning SMRs as a practical climate solution at commercial scale.

Key Duties and Responsibilities

Establish and maintain structure across numerous parallel prototyping and manufacturing preparation projects, guiding them from initial design through build, validation, and preparation for large-scale production.

Develop comprehensive project plans, schedules, budgets, and resource allocation strategies for mechanical, electrical, and hardware-focused build initiatives.

Lead cross-functional teams of engineers, technicians, and external partners, ensuring clear communication, alignment on goals, and timely milestone achievement.

Proactively identify, manage, and mitigate risks inherent in a rapid-prototyping and manufacturing readiness environment, developing contingency plans as necessary.

Drive continuous improvement in project management processes and tools specifically suited for prototyping cycles and transition to production.

Apply a foundational understanding of hardware design, mechanical engineering, or electrical systems to effectively scope work, challenge assumptions, and communicate with technical teams.

Act as a critical link to Supply Chain and Logistics, coordinating with procurement and external vendors to ensure timely delivery of components, materials, and services for prototype builds and pilot runs.

Manage the Bill of Materials (BOM) process for projects across all stages, ensuring accuracy and preparing documentation for eventual transfer to mass production.

Oversee project execution within our manufacturing and lab facilities, ensuring adherence to safety and quality protocols.

Qualifications

5+ years of demonstrable experience as a Project Manager managing technical projects, ideally within the energy, aerospace, automotive, or complex industrial hardware sectors.

Bachelor's degree in Engineering (Mechanical, Electrical, Aerospace, Industrial), or a related technical field. A Master's degree or PMP certification is a plus.

Direct experience operating in a rapid prototyping, low-volume manufacturing, or pilot production environment is essential.

Proven ability to manage the supply chain and logistics aspects of technical projects, including vendor management, procurement scheduling, and materials flow.

Hands-on experience with project management tools and an ability to use Microsoft Excel for project management.

Exceptional organizational skills with the ability to juggle and prioritize multiple small, build-focused projects simultaneously.

Strong communication and interpersonal skills, capable of influencing without direct authority and building trust across technical and non-technical teams.

A builder and problem-solver mindset, comfortable with ambiguity and adapting to changes in scope or direction inherent in iterative hardware development.