Real Estate Project Manager San Jose, United States On-site (opens in a new tab)

Skeleton Technologies is looking for a Real Estate Project Manager to join our team in California, US.

About Skeleton

Skeleton Technologies is a global leader in critical power infrastructure for AI data centers and electrical grid stability, founded in 2009. Power today is more than electricity.

It is national security, digital continuity, and economic resilience. Skeleton is the Backbone of Power: equipping AI data centers, electrical grids, defense systems, and critical infrastructure with the resilience to withstand surges, instability, and failure. Our power systems protect GPU clusters from millisecond-level spikes, enable hyperscalers to run at higher rack densities without grid compromise, and make AI data centers up to more 40% energy efficient. We keep the lights on when grids fluctuate, stabilising electrical infrastructure under the combined pressure of accelerating renewable energy deployment and surging AI demand.

When power fails, critical operations stop. We exist to prevent that in microseconds. Powering the infrastructure that powers everything else.

Responsibilities

• Own the full path from “no site” to “production-ready building” for our new cell production line in California.
• Find and secure the right location, lead the design and construction of all utilities and infrastructure, and obtain every permit needed to build and operate.
• Act as the owner’s representative toward brokers, landlords, utilities, authorities, designers and contractors, with single-point accountability for delivering the site on time, on budget and fit for the production process.
• Define the utility concept for the cell line together with process engineering and equipment suppliers.
• Lead the design of the electrical supply, including utility interconnection (such as PG&E or SCE), substation, distribution, backup power and UPS.
• Lead the design of HVAC systems, including dry rooms or clean rooms with tight humidity and temperature control.
• Lead the design of chilled water, cooling towers, compressed air, vacuum, nitrogen and other process gases.
• Lead the design of process and purified water, wastewater pre-treatment, solvent recovery and exhaust treatment.
• Lead the design of fire protection, gas detection, hazardous materials storage, IT/OT and building management systems.
• Select and manage architects, engineers of record and specialist consultants through all design phases.
• Set the delivery strategy (such as design-build, EPCM or GMP) and lead contractor tendering and award.
• Manage contractors through site works, shell, fit-out and utility installation, including tie-ins to production equipment.
• Enforce Cal/OSHA safety, quality and schedule requirements, and run change control and claims management.
• Lead commissioning and handover, including as-built documentation and operator training.
• Build and run the permitting roadmap from day one, as permitting is often the critical path in California.
• Obtain all entitlements and permits where applicable, including zoning, land use and CEQA environmental review, building, grading, MEP and fire permits under the California Building Code and Title 24, air permits from the local air district (such as BAAQMD or SCAQMD), CUPA hazardous materials filings, wastewater discharge and stormwater permits, and the certificate of occupancy and operating permits.
• Build constructive relationships with planning departments, fire marshals, air districts, water boards and utilities.
• Own the capex budget, schedule and risk register, and report status and decisions to management.
• Coordinate with production, engineering, EHS, procurement, finance, legal and HR.
• Manage consultant and contractor contracts and keep documentation audit-ready.

• 10+ years in industrial facility development or construction project management, with at least one manufacturing plant delivered end to end, from design through commissioning.
• Proven delivery of heavy industrial utilities such as high-capacity power, HVAC, process water, gases, dry rooms or clean rooms.
• Hands-on California permitting experience with CEQA, planning departments, air districts, CUPA and fire authorities.
• Experience managing capex budgets above $50M with multiple contractors and consultants.
• Project management skills across budget, schedule, risk and change control, plus contract management and tendering (design-build, EPCM, GMP).
• Technical understanding of MEP systems, process utilities and building codes (CBC, Title 24, fire code).
• Negotiation skills with contractors, utilities and authorities, and strong reporting and presentation skills in fluent English.
• Proficiency with MS Project, Primavera, Procore or similar tools.
• Bachelor’s degree in civil, mechanical or electrical engineering, construction management, architecture or a related field.
• Nice to have: a background in battery, semiconductor, chemical, pharmaceutical or other high-tech manufacturing, a Master’s degree or MBA, and certifications such as PMP, PE, LEED AP or CCM.
• You are self-driven and comfortable as the first person on the ground, structured and decisive under time pressure, build trust quickly with authorities, partners and internal teams, and communicate clearly across cultures and levels.

• The opportunity to help build and scale an international deep-tech energy-storage company with a strong startup mindset
• The chance to support an ambitious mission alongside globally recognized customers such as Volvo, Škoda, General Electric and Hitachi Energy
• An extra day of holiday for your birthday!