Employment

Technical Project Manager

Location: Salt Lake City, Utah Company: HiFunda

About HiFunda

HiFunda is a Utah-based technology incubator advancing next-generation materials and electrochemical technologies for aerospace, defense, nuclear energy, and commercial markets. We specialize in developing innovative materials-based solutions, reducing technical risk, and increasing Technology Readiness Levels (TRL) through rigorous product and process R&D. When appropriate, we launch new product-focused businesses to commercialize breakthrough technologies.

As several of our programs transition from proof-of-concept (TRL 3–4) to pilot-scale manufacturing (TRL 6), we are seeking a driven and experienced Technical Project Manager to help lead this next phase of growth.

Position Overview

This is a high-impact, high-visibility role with a clear advancement path (Manager → Director → Vice President) for exceptional performers. You will work directly with the VP of R&D to guide technical strategy, manage multidisciplinary R&D programs, and help transform early-stage innovations into commercially viable technologies.

We’re looking for a leader who thrives in a fast-paced environment, excels at technical execution, and is passionate about advancing new materials, processes, and products.

Key Responsibilities

R&D Program Leadership: Plan and oversee research activities in materials and process development, including electrochemical sensors for high-temperature molten salt and liquid sodium environments.
Technical Reporting & Communication: Prepare high-quality technical reports, lead internal and customer meetings, and integrate feedback to guide future development.
Funding & Proposal Development: Identify grant opportunities, develop competitive proposals, and leverage professional networks to build strong collaborative teams.
Strategic Alignment: Work closely with the VP of R&D to define priorities and support company-level strategic and tactical objectives.
End-to-End Project Execution: Lead projects from concept through validation testing and final delivery, ensuring technical excellence and timely execution.
Cross-Functional Coordination: Manage multidisciplinary teams of scientists and engineers; translate complex technical requirements into actionable project plans.
Risk & Resource Management: Identify technical roadblocks, allocate resources effectively, and ensure high-impact R&D outcomes.
Stakeholder Engagement: Serve as the primary liaison between technical teams, executive leadership, and customers—communicating milestones, risks, and ROI clearly.
Process Optimization: Implement and refine agile or phase-gate methodologies to accelerate development and improve program efficiency.

Desired Qualifications

Education: PhD in Chemical Engineering, Materials Science, Chemistry, Electrochemistry, or a related discipline.
Experience: Minimum 10 years of experience managing complex, multidisciplinary technical programs.
Project Leadership: Demonstrated success delivering projects that meet or exceed expectations for technical performance, cost, and schedule.
Quality & Documentation: Experience developing process documentation and work instructions; familiarity with ISO9001/AS9100 environments preferred.
Funding Success: Proven track record of generating and winning grants or other external funding.
Technical Expertise:
- Strong fundamental and applied knowledge of electrochemistry, preferably including electrochemical testing in aqueous and high-temperature molten salt systems (cyclic voltammetry, EIS, corrosion testing).
- Knowledgeable and experienced using results from analytical characterization and failure analysis techniques such as SEM/EDS, XRF, ICP-MS, TGA/DSC, mechanical testing, potentiometric titrations, X-ray, etc.
- Hands-on experience with high-temperature materials, including ceramics.
Experimental Design: Ability to design, execute, and analyze experiments that produce clear, decision-driving results in an industrial R&D environment.
Communication: Superior technical writing, communication and presentation skills.
Citizenship: U.S. Citizen or Permanent Resident (Green Card) required.

Compensation & Benefits

Competitive salary commensurate with experience and fit.
Full benefits package.
Relocation assistance to Salt Lake City, Utah.

How to Apply

Interested candidates should submit a resume, references, and a cover letter describing their interest and qualifications to employment@hifundallc.com.

R&D Intern

HiFunda is a Utah-based technology incubator company focused on developing new materials-related technologies for energy, defense, and commercial applications. As a technology incubator, HiFunda develops innovative high-potential materials-based solutions, reduces technology risk, and increases the technology readiness level of these technologies through product development/R&D, and when appropriate launches product-oriented new businesses that are highly focused on commercialization of specific technologies.

HiFunda is seeking a qualified research and development (R&D) intern to support our collaborative R&D projects. The R&D intern will preferably have previous laboratory or work experience and must be proficient in using the Microsoft Office suite (Excel, Word, PowerPoint). The ideal candidate will have experience working together in teams with effective communication skills for a wide range of projects. Previous experience setting up and executing experiments, documenting test plans and results in a laboratory notebook, automated data collection, data analysis, and reporting is desired. Experience with materials testing equipment, such as scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive spectrometer (EDS), mechanical testing, specific surface area (SSA) determination via BET testing, and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) is preferred. An ideal candidate will be in their junior or senior year of classwork in an appropriate science or engineering field with a high GPA. Leading candidates will have demonstrated the ability to execute ongoing project work successfully and have the ability to think creatively to come up with new ideas.

US Citizenship or green card is required. HiFunda is committed to creating an inclusive environment that welcomes and values differences among our team, customers, vendors, and the communities in which we live and conduct business. Our continued success and growth are enhanced through initiatives that promote diversity throughout the company and our communities. HiFunda is an equal opportunity employer and considers qualified applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability or protected veteran status.

Starting salary is $16/hour and up, commensurate with experience and fit. This position is for 20 to 25 hours per week and is flexible around school schedules.

Send resume to internship@hifundallc.com

HiFunda LLC

825 North, 300 West, Suite WA-010

Salt Lake City, Utah 84103

Junior R&D Intern

HiFunda is seeking a junior research and development (R&D) intern to support our collaborative R&D projects for the Summer of 2024. The ideal candidate will have experience working together in teams with effective communication skills. An ideal candidate will be a high school graduate who is interested in pursuing higher education in STEM with particular interest in developing new materials-related technologies. They will have graduated with a high GPA and possess a high aptitude for learning new skills. Leading candidates will have demonstrated the ability to execute and have the ability to think creatively to come up with new ideas.

Starting salary is $15/hour and up, commensurate with experience and fit. This position is for 20 to 25 hours per week.