Program Planning and Controls (PP&C) Specialist – Directed Energy

Xcimer Energy; Denver (CO); On-site; USD 140,000 - 165,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Equity

401(k) with company match

Paid time off

Job summary

Xcimer Energy is seeking a highly organized PP&C Specialist – Directed Energy to support planning, tracking, and reporting for the Directed Energy program. You will collaborate with engineers, manufacturing, and procurement to ensure milestones are met and project objectives are achieved with strong governance and KPI visibility.

The role requires 5+ years in project coordination/controls, a relevant engineering degree, and proficiency with Jira and MS Project.

Qualifications

• Education: Bachelor’s degree as stated; 3+ years substituting allowed.
• Experience: 5+ years in project coordination, project controls, or similar roles in engineering/manufacturing.
• Strong problem-solving mindset with proactive approach to challenges.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills; ability to collaborate across teams.

Responsibilities

• Maintain the program schedule and baseline for Directed Energy.
• Develop and maintain WBS, schedule, and budget tracking; report cost and schedule performance.
• Maintain milestone and KPI reporting with element leads.
• Develop Directed Energy program reporting aligned with company standards.
• Coordinate schedules, deliverables, interfaces with partners and vendors; support reviews.
• Develop and maintain project plans, schedules, and documentation for complex engineering projects.
• Collaborate with element leads, engineers, manufacturing, and cross-functional teams.
• Manage project schedules, track milestones, and report progress using Jira and other tools.
• Monitor engineering release metrics to identify risks and escalate to Program Management.

Skills

Project coordination

Project controls

Scheduling

Communication

Organizational skills

Hardware development understanding

Schedule management software

Education

Bachelor’s degree in engineering, construction management, or a related field

Tools

Jira

MS Project

Primavera P6

Job description

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 (PP&C) Specialist – Directed Energy, you will play a crucial role in supporting the successful execution of Xcimer’s Directed Energy 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 our project coordinators to apply their technical expertise, problem solving skills, and dedication to quality to positively impact the future of energy!

Responsibilities

• Support planning and controls for the Directed Energy program, including maintaining the program schedule and baseline.
• Help build and maintain the Directed Energy work breakdown structure, schedule, and budget tracking, and report on cost and schedule performance.
• Maintain milestone and KPI reporting for the Directed Energy program, working with element leads.
• Help develop Directed Energy program reporting that fits in with greater company standards.
• Coordinate schedules, deliverables, and interfaces with external partners and vendors, and support program reviews.
• Support the successful execution of complex engineering projects 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 escalation issues to Program Management as necessary.
• Facilitate effective communication and coordination between science, 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
• 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
• Experience with schedule management software such as MS Project or Primavera P6
• 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 complex, multidisciplinary engineering, or manufacturing projects
• Experience with earned value management (EVM) and integrated master scheduling on government-funded programs
• Working knowledge of DOE and DoD EVM and scheduling guidance, such as ANSI/EIA-748 (NDIA), the NDIA IPMD EVMS Intent Guide and Planning & Scheduling Excellence Guide (PASEG), the DoD EVMS Interpretation Guide, DCMA EVMS compliance (DECM) and schedule assessment metrics, IPMR/IMS data item descriptions (DI-MGMT-81861 / DI-MGMT-81650), DOE O 413.3B and the DOE G 413.3-10 EVMS guide, and the GAO Schedule Assessment Guide
• Experience supporting government, defense, or other externally funded programs (contract deliverables, reviews, and reporting)
• 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)

$140,000 - $165,000 a year

Candidates may be considered for other positions at Xcimer Energy, and our actual base salary will be determined on an individual basis and may vary based on job-related knowledge and skills, education, and experience. The range is published in accordance with Colorado Equal Pay for Equal Work Act and California Equal Pay Act.

Equal Employment Opportunity

Xcimer Energy is proud to be an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer and is committed to attracting, retaining, and developing a highly qualified, diverse, and dedicated work force. Xcimer Energy hires and promotes people on the basis of their qualifications, performance, and abilities. We support the establishment and maintenance of a workplace that fosters trust, equality, and teamwork, in which all employees recognize and appreciate the diversity of individual team members. We provide all qualified applicants for employment and employees with equal opportunities for hire, promotion, and other terms and conditions of employment, regardless of their race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin/ethnicity, age, physical or mental disability, genetic factors, military/veteran status, or any other status or characteristic protected by federal, state, and/or local law. Xcimer Energy will consider for employment qualified applicants with criminal histories in a manner consistent with applicable federal, state, and local laws.

Benefits

Xcimer offers a comprehensive benefits package designed to support employee health, well-being, and long-term success. Benefits include medical, dental, and vision coverage; basic and supplemental life insurance; short- and long-term disability; paid parental leave for employees at the time of birth or adoption; and a 401(k) with a company match of up to 6%. Eligible employees also receive equity, allowing them to share in the company’s long-term success. Xcimer operates under a flexible Paid Time Off (ATO) approach. Rather than a fixed number of vacation days, employees are trusted to take the time they need to rest and recharge while meeting the expectations of their role and team. In addition, employees receive paid sick time, 13 company-paid holidays, and an annual paid company shutdown. Benefits are available to regular employees, including part-time and fixed-term roles, as well as interns, with eligibility varying by benefit.