Project Lead - Facility Development

Job description

Location: Keenesburg, Colorado (on-site) Reports To: VP, Propulsion & Energetics Position Type: Full-time, exempt Career Track: Project Manager to Facility Manager upon campus buildout and ramp to production Travel: Occasional, primarily local/regional to support permitting, contractor, and vendor meetings Clearance / Licensing: Must be eligible for ITAR authorization and Federal explosives licensing (ATF) About the Role Singularity Defense is building a 100+ acre solid rocket motor (SRM) and energetics manufacturing campus in Keenesburg, Colorado to support tactical munitions and propulsion production for the Department of Defense. We are looking for a Project Manager to lead the planning, permitting, design, and construction of this campus from the ground up – and to grow into the Facility Manager role responsible for its day-to-day operation once the site is built and ramped to production. This is a builder's role. You will spend your first 18–36 months turning raw land into a licensed, operational energetics manufacturing campus – site work, utilities, roads, process buildings, magazines, ESQD-compliant siting, and test infrastructure – while working shoulder-to-shoulder with engineering, EHS, contractors, and operations leadership. As the campus comes online, your responsibilities will shift from construction delivery to sustained facility operations, maintenance, and site leadership. Key Responsibilities Phase 1 – Planning & Construction (Project Manager) Develop and manage integrated project plans spanning site work, utilities, access roads, administrative and process buildings, magazines, and test infrastructure, sequenced against a 100+ acre campus master plan. Lead permitting and land-use approvals with local and state authorities having jurisdiction, including conditional use permits, zoning, environmental review, and ESQD arc siting in coordination with EHS and engineering. Interface with and oversee design consultants (civil, structural, mechanical, electrical) and general/specialty contractors, holding them accountable to scope, schedule, and quality. Ensure siting and construction comply with applicable safety standards in accordance with DoD facility clearance and energetics siting standards (e.g., DoD 6055.09-STD) so buildings, magazines, and process bays are located and constructed to code from day one. Manage and maintain project budgets, schedules, and risk registers across design, construction, and government stakeholders, escalating and resolving issues before they threaten schedule. Communicate project status clearly and regularly to all stakeholders including internal leadership, government representatives, local officials, utility providers, and neighboring landowners. Coordinate startup and commissioning activities with operations, engineering, and workforce development so the campus is staffed, equipped, and procedurally ready as construction milestones complete. Maintain the documentation of record (as-builts, permits, inspection records, commissioning packages) required for a compliant, auditable energetics manufacturing site. Phase 2 – Transition to Facility Manager Assume the Facility Manager role as the campus completes buildout and ramps to production, taking ownership of day-to-day site operations. Own facility operations and maintenance (utilities, grounds, roads, magazines, process buildings, fire suppression, security systems) across the full 100+ acre campus. Plan and manage capital improvement projects for continued expansion, renovation, and capacity growth as production demand increases. Partner with EHS, security, and quality to keep the site in continuous compliance with OSHA, EPA, ATF, and DoD facility requirements. Build and lead the site facilities team (facilities technicians, contractors, and vendors) supporting the campus. Own the long-range facilities roadmap for the campus, balancing operational needs against capital and operating budget constraints. Required Qualifications 7+ years of experience in construction, facilities, or capital-project management, including design/build oversight of contractors and consultants. Experience managing projects in a manufacturing, industrial, energetics, aerospace, or defense environment. Demonstrated ability to plan and sequence complex, multi-phase projects with the discipline to run competing priorities across permitting, design, construction, and stakeholder management simultaneously. Strong stakeholder communication skills, with government representatives, contractors, and internal leadership, both written and verbal. Experience developing and managing project budgets and schedules using tools such as Microsoft Project, Excel, or Smartsheet. Working knowledge of the risks associated with heavy civil and industrial construction, and a track record of mitigating them proactively. Must be a U.S. citizen, U.S. national, lawful permanent resident. Eligible to obtain and maintain State and Federal explosives licensing, including a background check. Preferred Qualifications Experience in solid rocket motor manufacturing, energetics, munitions, or other high-hazard/high-consequence manufacturing environments. (PMP) certification. Experience with facility siting standards for explosives and energetic materials (e.g., DoD 6055.09-STD, ESQD arc/quantity-distance principles). Greenfield industrial or manufacturing site, from land acquisition or zoning through commissioning. Bachelor's degree in construction management, engineering, or a related technical field. Physical Demands & Work Environment Navigate across an active construction site and, later, an operating energetics manufacturing campus. Ability to lift up to 50 pounds and comfortably navigate uneven terrain, stairs, and scaffolding. Familiarity with industrial equipment, heavy machinery, weather extremes, and energetic/hazardous materials, with all required PPE provided. This position requires the employee to reach all areas of a 100+ acre campus, including remote process and test locations. Compensation & Benefits Compensation is competitive and commensurate with experience, with the scope and pay of the role expanding alongside the transition from Project Manager to Facility Manager. Benefits include medical, dental, and vision insurance; 401(k) with company match; paid time off; and paid holidays. Specific figures will be discussed during the interview process. Singularity Defense is a stealth startup of former SpaceX, Anduril, and Lockheed applying the SpaceX model to mass produce air defense systems. Their first product is a low-cost air defense system for immediate deployment domestically and around the world where the need is critical.