Program Planning and Controls Specialist

Xcimer Energy leverages decades of research on Inertial Fusion Energy (IFE) combined with groundbreaking new laser architecture. Our mission is to deploy fusion power plants to meet global decarbonization goals as fast as possible. Xcimer has assembled a team of leaders in tough tech, fusion science, and manufacturing with a track record of rapid execution. Supported by leading investors, Xcimer is uniquely positioned to deliver limitless, clean, fusion power to combat climate change. Join us in powering a better world with inertial fusion!

This is a full-time, onsite role based at our headquarters in Denver, CO.

As a Program Planning and Controls Specialist, you will play a crucial role in supporting the successful execution of complex engineering projects on Xcimer’s Inertial Fusion Energy (IFE) program. You will work closely with element leads, engineers, manufacturing, and cross-functional teams to ensure seamless coordination, tracking, and reporting of project activities. Your ability to manage schedules, maintain project documentation, and facilitate communication will be key to driving efficiency and meeting critical milestones. We are looking for a highly organized individual with strong problem-solving skills, technical fluency, and experience in project tracking, execution, and performance measurement through KPIs and metrics to ensure project success. We are looking for an experienced project controls professional to apply their technical expertise, problem solving skills, and dedication to quality to positively impact the future of energy!

Responsibilities

• Support the successful execution of complex engineering projects on the IFE program by developing and maintaining project plans, schedules, and documentation.
• Collaborate with element leads, engineers, manufacturing, and cross-functional teams to coordinate project activities and ensure alignment with overall program objectives.
• Manage project schedules, track milestones, and report on progress using Jira and other project management tools.
• Monitor and analyze engineering release metrics to evaluate performance against milestones, identify potential risks, and escalate issues to Program Management as necessary.
• Track project costs against budget, including labor, procurement, and commitments, and provide regular cost reporting to program and finance stakeholders.
• Develop and maintain cost forecasts and estimates at completion, and analyze variances between planned, committed, and actual costs, and escalate budget risks to Program Management as necessary.
• Work with finance on program forecasting, providing schedule, resource, and procurement inputs to support budget and forecast cycles.
• Facilitate effective communication and coordination between engineering, procurement, and manufacturing teams to ensure timely issue resolution and efficient project execution.

Qualifications

• Education: Bachelor’s degree in engineering, construction management, or a related field (3+ years of related experience may be substituted for the degree)
• Experience: 5+ years in project coordination, project controls, project administration, or a similar role in an engineering, construction, or manufacturing environment
• Must have: 3+ years of hands-on experience with Oracle Primavera P6, including building and maintaining resource-loaded schedules
• Problem-solving mindset with a proactive approach to identifying and addressing challenges
• Strong organizational skills with attention to detail and the ability to manage multiple tasks
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to collaborate effectively across teams
• Strong technical acumen with an understanding of hardware development processes and product lifecycles
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office products, including Word, Excel, and Powerpoint
• Must be a U.S. citizen or national, U.S. permanent resident (current Green Card holder), or lawfully admitted into the U.S. as a refugee or granted asylum.

Desired

• Experience with other schedule management software such as MS Project
• Experience with earned value management (EVM), including performance measurement baselines, progress measurement, and cost and schedule variance analysis
• Experience with complex, multidisciplinary engineering, or manufacturing projects
• Experience with budgeting, cost tracking, or financial reporting tools
• Familiarity with Agile project management methodologies
• Familiarity with Jira and other similar project management tools
• Experience managing and tracking Bills of Materials (BOMs)
• Familiarity with the purchase requisition through invoice lifecycle