Technical Project Manager
The Role
Heirloom is building the next generation of direct air capture technology, combining first-of-a-kind industrial thermal systems, automated material handling, and control systems to safely operate and iterate on the process. We’re hiring a Technical Project Manager to lead delivery of our pilot and demonstration plants, where this technology is developed, tested, and prepared for scale-up.
This role serves as the project lead for complex, first-of-a-kind industrial projects, responsible for driving scope, schedule, cost, risk, and cross-functional alignment from design through commissioning. You’ll start by taking over project management responsibilities for Heirloom’s next-generation technology pilot in Tracy, CA, leading commissioning from a project perspective - coordinating equipment, automation, process development, and operations to generate decision-grade learnings for future designs. From there, you’ll lead the project management of our next-generation technology demonstration plant, coordinating design, equipment development, construction, and commissioning activities while ensuring technical learnings feed back into commercial design.
This role is based at Heirloom’s Brisbane HQ, with regular travel to site during critical phases (typically 2–3 days per week during key build and commissioning activities).
What You'll Bring
5+ years of experience leading technically complex industrial, manufacturing, or infrastructure projects as a project manager or a project lead
Proven ability to manage projects where design, equipment development, and execution overlap.
Experience marshaling trades, running RFIs and change-order processes, coordinating inspections and permitting during construction
Commissioning project management experience - familiarity with FAT/SAT, IO checks, and defect/issue closure workflows through operator handover
Proficiency with schedule and project controls tools (MS Project, Primavera, Smartsheet, or similar) and budget forecasting/change control practices
Proven track record of vendor and contractor management
Strong communication skills - able to influence cross-functional teams (engineering, operations, safety, procurement) and translate between technical and commercial stakeholders
Safety-first mentality with attention to detail and a process-driven approach
Willingness to travel to site regularly.
Bonus Points
Experience with permitting and inspections for industrial sites
Startup or early-stage project experience
Familiarity with project governance frameworks
You don’t have to have every listed requirement and skill to be a great fit. If you are passionate about this opportunity and think you have the skills to succeed, please apply!
Our Commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
We encourage you to apply if you identify as Black, Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander, American Indian or Alaskan Native, Hispanic or Latino, LGBTQ+ – or with any other underrepresented group – even if you don’t tick all the boxes in the description below.
Perks and Benefits
Excellent health, dental and vision insurance covered up to 100% by Heirloom. FSA option.
6 weeks paid parental leave for all Heirloom employees.
Generous stock options.
Unlimited PTO for exempt (salaried) employees & 120 hours for full time non-exempt (hourly) employees.
401(k).
Monthly health and wellness reimbursement.
Annual education and conference budget.
Our Principles
Radical Honesty. We strive to foster an inclusive environment premised on transparency and respect. We push for excellence, yet always remain thoughtful when challenging each other.
Persistent Optimism. We show up to work with optimism and don’t shy away from a challenge. We recognize that the ambitious nature of our mission requires hopefulness, dedication, and persistence.
Maximize Learning. Compounding knowledge is our key to victory - we continuously hone our crafts, seek the fastest paths to improve, and are quick to absorb and apply new insights.
Why you should join Heirloom
We are solving the challenge of our generation. Climate change is an existential threat, and we need as many of the world’s motivated minds as possible to help. There is no greater challenge or opportunity than fighting climate change.
We are a world-class team. We are engineers, scientists, and concerned humans from a variety of backgrounds and experiences who are pooling our knowledge and skills to collectively build a more equitable, prosperous future for all.
We remain united, resilient, and optimistic. We recognize the magnitude of the challenge ahead of us, yet believe that we can contribute to mitigating the worst effects of climate change. It won’t be easy, but we won’t quit.
We are backed by credible climate partners. We’re well funded by investors from Breakthrough Energy Ventures, Ahren Innovation Capital, Carbon Direct, Microsoft, Lowercarbon Capital, ARPA-e and the National Science Foundation. Our early customers include Stripe, Shopify, and Klarna, and we’re building durable partnerships that enable us to tackle this decades-long problem.