Project Development Manager

Project Development Manager

Halo Materials is seeking a Project Development Manager to work closely with our CEO to lead the development and delivery of our first commercial‑scale reactor, followed by a pilot plant. This role requires an operational leader who sits at the intersection of engineering, construction, R&D, and executive leadership.

• Lead and manage an external EPC team through design, construction, and commissioning of a commercial reactor.
• Serve as the internal accountability function by rigorously vetting design decisions and ensuring alignment with technical and operational goals.
• Act as the primary interface between Halo’s technical teams and external engineering and development partners.
• Source, evaluate, and diligence sites for lab expansion and pilot installations.
• Identify and assess equipment vendors, balancing cost, quality, schedule, and technical performance.
• Oversee permitting, compliance reporting, and environmental health & safety (EHS) considerations.
• Drive cross‑functional alignment across executives, engineers, contractors, and regulatory stakeholders.
• Balance structured project governance with startup agility.

• 10+ years of experience managing infrastructure or industrial development projects.
• Proven leadership of complex, multi‑stakeholder projects involving industrial process scale‑up.
• Strong technical literacy across civil, mechanical, and electrical engineering disciplines.
• Experience with permitting, regulatory compliance, and EHS frameworks.
• Demonstrated success working closely with C‑level leaders and managing competing priorities in fast‑paced environments.
• Exceptional organizational, analytical, and strategic thinking skills.
• Ability to move fluidly between detailed tactical execution and high‑level planning.
• Clear and confident communication skills across technical and non‑technical audiences.
• A pragmatic mindset that balances rigorous safety and engineering standards with entrepreneurial urgency.

• Experience in adjacent industries where similar high‑temperature, catalytic, carbon, or materials growth processes are used — such as petrochemicals, advanced ceramics, specialty chemicals, battery materials, semiconductors, metallurgy, or industrial gas processing.

• A track record of execution — how you design experiments, make decisions with imperfect data, and drive results matters as much as where you’ve worked.
• Ownership mentality with high accountability and curiosity.
• Entrepreneurial speed balanced with technical discipline.
• Grit, resilience, and an ability to turn ambiguity into actionable next steps.

• Strengthen Energy & Supply Chains – Work on advanced materials that directly impact batteries, energy systems, and U.S. manufacturing resilience.
• Scale Breakthrough Graphite Technology – Help scale a breakthrough graphite technology from lab experimentation to real commercial production.
• Rigorous Science, Startup Velocity – Join a mission‑driven team that values rigorous science, fast execution, and taking care of its people.
• Technical Ownership & Autonomy – Take meaningful ownership in a technically ambitious environment where your contributions shape the direction of the company.
• Competitive pay, full benefits, and equity – Competitive compensation, strong benefits, and the opportunity to grow quickly inside a serious deep tech venture backed by experienced builders.
• Some of our Benefits:
  • An independent role with a supportive and flexible work environment
  • Time for self‑development, research, training, conferences, or certification schemes
  • Full range of competitive benefits including a health care stipend and equity in a fast‑growing startup