Project Manager

Location: Austin, Texas

Department: Operations
Reports to: SVP Operations and Supply Chain

Type: Full-Time

About HydroGraph

HydroGraph is a hyper-growth advanced materials company scaling pristine, high-performance graphene via its patented Hyperion detonation technology. With more than 70 active commercial projects, a growing global footprint, and industry-leading material quality (99.8% pure graphene), HydroGraph is building the next generation of engineered materials for coatings, composites, and energy storage. Our new Austin HQ will serve as the flagship center for innovation, applied R&D, customer engagement, and rapid material development.

Role Overview

The Project Manager is responsible for planning, executing, and closing projects while ensuring they are completed on time, within budget, and to the required quality standards. This role involves coordinating resources, managing stakeholder expectations, mitigating risks, and leading cross-functional teams to deliver successful project outcomes aligned with organizational objectives.

Key Responsibilities

Project Planning & Initiation

• Define project scope, objectives, and deliverables in collaboration with stakeholders and senior management
• Develop comprehensive project plans including schedules, budgets, resource allocation, and risk management strategies
• Create detailed work breakdown structures (WBS) and project timelines using project management tools
• Establish project governance frameworks, communication plans, and reporting structures
• Conduct feasibility studies and cost-benefit analyses to support project approval decisions
• Obtain necessary approvals and secure resources for project execution

Project Execution & Coordination

• Lead cross-functional project teams and coordinate activities across multiple departments including R&D, Operations, Supply Chain, Quality, Finance, Sales
• Assign tasks and responsibilities to team members based on skills and availability
• Monitor project progress against established baselines and adjust plans as necessary
• Facilitate effective communication among team members, stakeholders, and leadership
• Conduct regular project status meetings and ensure action items are tracked and completed
• Manage project documentation including meeting minutes, status reports, and change requests

Stakeholder Management

• Identify and engage key stakeholders throughout the project lifecycle
• Manage stakeholder expectations and ensure alignment on project goals and priorities
• Communicate project status, risks, and issues to stakeholders in a clear and timely manner
• Resolve conflicts and negotiate solutions that balance competing priorities
• Present project updates and recommendations to executive leadership

Risk & Issue Management

• Identify potential project risks and develop mitigation strategies and action plans
• Maintain risk registers and issue logs with appropriate escalation procedures
• Proactively address obstacles that could impact project success
• Implement contingency plans when risks materialize
• Conduct lessons learned sessions and apply insights to future projects

Budget & Resource Management

• Develop and manage project budgets, tracking expenses against forecasts
• Monitor resource utilization and optimize allocation to maximize efficiency
• Facilitate within the organization purchase orders, contracts, and vendor payments
• Identify cost-saving opportunities without compromising quality or scope
• Provide accurate financial reporting and forecasting to stakeholders

Quality Assurance & Delivery

• Establish quality standards and acceptance criteria for project deliverables
• Leverage quality department to conduct quality reviews and ensure outputs meet specifications
• Manage scope changes through formal change control processes
• Coordinate user acceptance testing (UAT) and address feedback
• Ensure proper project documentation and knowledge transfer
• Facilitate smooth transition to operations or support teams upon project completion

Project Closure & Evaluation

• Conduct formal project closure activities including final deliverable acceptance
• Document lessons learned and best practices for future reference
• Evaluate project performance against success criteria and KPIs
• Archive project documentation in accordance with organizational standards
• Celebrate team achievements and recognize contributions

Qualifications

Required

• Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Project Management, Engineering, Information Technology, or related field
• 5+ years of project management experience with a proven track record of delivering complex projects
• Strong understanding of project management methodologies (Waterfall, Agile, Hybrid)
• Excellent organizational, time management, and multitasking abilities
• Demonstrated leadership skills with ability to influence without direct authority
• Strong analytical and problem-solving capabilities
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Proficiency with project management software and tools (Wrike, MSProject, Jira, etc)
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite: Advanced Excel, PowerPoint, Word, Visio, Teams

Preferred

• Project Management Professional (PMP) certification from PMI
• Certified ScrumMaster (CSM), PMI-ACP, or other Agile certifications
• Master's degree in Project Management, MBA, or related field
• Experience managing projects in relevant industry (IT, construction, oil and gas, healthcare, finance, etc.)
• Knowledge of portfolio management and program management principles
• Experience with enterprise project management (EPM) systems
• Lean Six Sigma certification

Competencies

• Leadership and team motivation
• Accountability and ownership mindset
• Strategic thinking and business acumen
• Stakeholder management and relationship building
• Conflict resolution and negotiation
• Adaptability and flexibility in dynamic environments
• Decision-making under uncertainty
• Attention to detail and quality focus
• Customer service orientation
• Emotional intelligence and active listening
• Critical thinking and creative problem-solving

Work Environment

• • Office, remote, or hybrid work arrangement depending on organizational policy
  • May require occasional travel to project sites, client locations, or vendor facilities
  • Flexibility to adjust schedule for project demands and stakeholder meetings across time zones
  • Fast-paced environment with multiple concurrent priorities

Why Join HydroGraph

• Lead the core scientific engine of one of the fastest-growing graphene companies in the world.
• Shape a next-generation materials platform used across aerospace, energy, infrastructure, consumer goods, and defense.
• Work directly with global partners and world-class advisors (GEIC, OEMs, DoD).
• Competitive compensation, equity participation, and career advancement as the company scales.