Senior Technical Program Manager at SOLARCYCLE, Inc

About the role: 

SOLARCYCLE specializes in recycling crystalline silicon solar panels. With a commitment to environmental responsibility and technological innovation, we strive to maximize the efficiency and effectiveness of our cutting-edge solar panel recycling processes. We are seeking a highly skilled and experienced Senior Technical Program Manager to join our dynamic team in Odessa, Texas. The Senior Technical Program Manager will play a pivotal role in driving key initiatives aimed at enhancing our recycling processes, implementing new equipment, and optimizing factory throughput while ensuring safety and quality standards are met. 

Key Responsibilities: 

• Project Management
  • Lead and oversee multiple projects simultaneously, from initiation to completion, ensuring adherence to timelines, budgets, and quality standards.
  • Develop and maintain detailed project plans using Smartsheet, providing regular updates to stakeholders on progress and milestones via presentations, meetings, and email communications.
  • Manage project intake and execution, prioritizing the sustaining needs of our recycling lines against key innovations that must be implemented with speed and quality to meet our ever-growing production plan needs.
  • Identify project risks and develop mitigation strategies to ensure successful project completion.
  • Collaborate with cross-functional teams, including engineering, production operations leadership, customer operations leadership, maintenance professionals, researchers, and other stakeholders, to define project goals, scope, and deliverables, then execute them via individuals or teams of people that are part of those projects.   
• Process Improvement and Automation: 
  • Collaborate with cross-functional teams to identify areas for process improvement and automation within the recycling processes. 
  • Design, implement, and execute process improvement initiatives aimed at enhancing efficiency, reducing waste, and increasing throughput. 
  • Interpret and quickly understand complex technical concepts and process flows to circumnavigate roadblocks that arise during project execution. Proactively identify and problem-solve project issues, bottlenecks, and conflicts to keep projects on track. Know when to get “in the weeds” and how to efficiently get out of them. 
• Equipment Implementation: 
  • Manage the implementation of new equipment and technologies within the factory, coordinating with vendors, engineers, maintenance professionals, and other stakeholders to ensure seamless integration and functionality. 
  • Conduct feasibility studies and cost-benefit analyses for equipment upgrades and replacements. 
  • Manage and oversee the usage of heavy-duty industrial equipment to move and build equipment applications.  
• Team Leadership and Development: 
  • Mentor and support junior mechanical and electrical engineers, fostering a culture of collaboration, innovation, and continuous learning. 
  • Provide guidance and direction to team members, empowering them to contribute effectively to project objectives while firmly holding them accountable for their deliverables. 
• Safety and Compliance: 
  • Champion a safety-first culture within the organization, ensuring compliance with relevant regulations and standards. 
  • Implement measures to mitigate risks and hazards associated with recycling processes and equipment. 

 Qualifications: 

• A bachelor's degree in electrical engineering or mechanical engineering is required. A master’s degree in these fields is a plus. 
• Minimum of 10 years of industry experience in electrical or mechanical engineering. 
• Minimum of 5 years of experience in project management, preferably in a manufacturing environment. 
• Demonstrated proficiency in effectively using project management software such as Smartsheet, Microsoft Project, or Monday.com to create meticulously detailed project plans. 
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to drive results and meet deadlines. 
• Strong attention to detail and the ability to maintain focus on project objectives and timelines. 
• Outstanding verbal and written communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to collaborate effectively across teams and levels of the organization. 
• Skilled at conflict resolution and persuasion 
• Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, dynamic, and sometimes ambiguous environment. 
• Certification in project management (PMP, PgMP, or similar) is a plus. 
• Highly skilled at giving clear and concise presentations of the status of project plans to senior leadership using Microsoft PowerPoint 
• Highly skilled at utilizing Microsoft SharePoint to collaborate quickly and effectively with team members using a cloud-based file share system 
• Highly skilled using computers and software to reduce time-to-output and work as part of a global team. 
• Located in or willing to relocate to Odessa, Texas and work in-person at our factory there (no remote work).