Project Specialist - Battery Electric Thermal

Aspen is a technology leader in sustainability and electrification solutions. The Company's aerogel technology enables its customers and partners to achieve their own objectives around the global megatrends of resource efficiency, e-mobility, and clean energy. Aspen's PyroThin products enable solutions to thermal runaway challenges within the electric vehicle ("EV") market. Aspen Battery Materials, the Company's carbon aerogel initiative, seeks to increase the performance of lithium-ion battery cells to enable EV manufacturers to extend the driving range and reduce the cost of EVs. The Company's Cryogel and Pyrogel products are valued by the world's largest energy infrastructure companies. Aspen's strategy is to partner with world-class industry leaders to leverage its Aerogel Technology Platform into additional high-value markets. Aspen is headquartered in Northborough, Mass.

The BET Project Specialist will report to the Sr. Cost Engineer. The Project Specialist's primary responsibility will be to provide project management and coordination support to facilitate development of thermal barrier engineering products from inception to production. Additional responsibilities for the role include support for cost engineering-related functions. This role will require leading discussions on project status updates across the supply chain and managing across stakeholders to make key decisions and execute project tasks. Strong program/project management skills are required to ensure that technical advancement and innovation progress at a pace sufficient to satisfy customer requirements in a timely fashion.

The Project Specialist must have the ability to manage multiple priorities, including the balance between activities required to meet the RFQ development schedules to advance thermal barrier business development opportunities. The Project Specialist will work alongside Cost Engineering, Product Development Engineering, Program Engineering, Automation Engineering, Program Management, Manufacturing, Quality, EH&S, and Supply Chain to ensure that internal development programs are delivered appropriately in a timely, documented and cost-efficient manner. The Project Specialist must have a strong technical background to understand high-level details of engineering projects and be able to connect the process from upstream development to downstream manufacturing.

The ideal candidate will be an independent worker and exhibit strong technical and organizational skills while also having a minimum of 5 years of Project Management/Coordination or related experience. Experience with data analytics and costing is preferred but not required.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Develop and support planning, timeline development, cost control procedures and execution of critical development projects and programs for BET teams.
• Demonstrate ability to manage 20+ projects within the team and connect stakeholders to help make key decisions and execute on project tasks.
• Lead project update discussions for internal stakeholders (such as weekly Obeya Room across the BET engineering and other supporting Aspen groups), external stakeholders (Aspen vendors), and apply independent and critical thinking skills to problem solving.
• Drive highest priority tasks and coordinate across Cost Engineering, Product Development Engineering, Program Engineering, Automation Engineering, Program Management, Manufacturing, Quality, EH&S, and Supply Chain functions to ensure internal and external customer awareness of implementation timing, risks, and delays.
• Plan and coordinate implementation testing and verification activities of manual, semi-automated and fully automated equipment with all involved parties while holding timelines, deadlines, budgets and milestones as key targets.
• Work with Production and Manufacturing team(s) to support release plans, implementation timing, floor plan layout activities and timing of implementation for auxiliary equipment needs (electrical, plumbing, EHS, etc.)
• Create project Gannt charts to drive development, identify critical path and plan for on-time delivery of thermal barrier projects.
• Prepare risk assessments and assure issues/roadblocks are escalated through proper channels as needed.
• Ensure all aspects of handoff packages for key projects are completed (visual work instructions, training, spare parts lists, maintenance plans, etc.)
• Support product and process development tasks and cost coordination tasks as needed, including but not limited to Phase 0 Business Case justification and ROI development.
• Provide technical communication to cross-functional teams throughout the thermal barrier development and design process from prototyping through commercialization.
• Provide support as needed for cost engineering-related activities.
• Participate in the Advanced Product Quality Planning (APQP) process and align with phase gate requirements.
• Personally adhere to and monitor compliance with all safety procedures, policies, and maintain good housekeeping standards of team members.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor's degree in engineering preferred, or equivalent experience in Project Coordination or Project Management
• 5+ years technical project management experience
• Ability and willingness to lead, manage and do work
• Ability to develop and work in complex spreadsheets
• Experience working within cost engineering functions is desirable
• Experience with LEAN manufacturing, Six Sigma and data-driven decision making is desirable
• Emotional Intelligence and ability to remain calm under stressful situations
• Ability to handle complex matters across multiple initiatives
• Clear and concise communication skills, including verbal, written, presentation and negotiation
• Willingness to travel

PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND WORK ENVIRONMENT:

• Frequently required to stand
• Occasionally required to walk
• Frequently required to sit
• Frequently required to utilize hand and finger dexterity
• Occasionally required to climb, balance, bend, stoop, kneel or crawl
• Frequently works near moving mechanical parts
• Frequently works around fumes, airborne particles, or toxic chemicals
• Occasionally exposed to extreme heat or cold (non-weather)
• While performing the duties of this job, the noise level in the work environment is usually moderate
• The employee must occasionally lift and/or move more than 10 pounds.

The above is intended to describe the general content of and requirements for the performance of this job. It is not to be construed as an exhaustive statement of duties, responsibilities or physical requirements. Nothing in this job description restricts management's right to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

PERKS OF JOINING OUR TEAM!

Aspen is committed to offering a comprehensive benefits package, a positive and productive work environment, encouraged work/life and family balance, and opportunities for growth and development, in a culture that is focused on inclusion, sustainability, and working together to solve the world's toughest challenges.

Aspen is proud to offer a competitive benefits package including Medical, Dental, Vision, Tuition Reimbursement, Paid Holidays, Sick Time, and PTO. In addition, we also offer Fitness Reimbursement, a 401k Employer Match, Life and Disability Insurance, and other benefits.

Aspen Aerogels, Inc. is an equal opportunity employer. We evaluate qualified applicants without regard to race, color, age, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, veteran status, and other legally protected characteristics. The EEO is the Law poster is available here: http://www.dol.gov/ofccp/regs/compliance/posters/pdf/eeopost.pdf.

Aspen Aerogels, Inc. is committed to working with and providing reasonable accommodations to individuals with disabilities. If you need a reasonable accommodation because of a disability for any part of the employment process, please send an e-mail to abuttitta@aerogel.com or call and leave a voice message at (508) 466-3111 and let us know the nature of your request and your contact information and we will return your message.