Technical Project Manager

About Us: 

SunDrive is an Australian solar technology company turning world-leading science into real-world impact.  

Founded in a Sydney garage in 2015, when our co-founder Vince Allen paused his PhD to pursue a bold idea, we set out to make solar more powerful, affordable, and sustainable. Today, that same drive fuels a company operating at the cutting edge of advanced manufacturing and materials science. Our breakthrough solar cell technology replaces silver with industry-first direct copper plating: swapping one of the most expensive materials in solar for something abundant, cost-effective, and sustainable. We set a world record for solar cell efficiency in 2021 and built the world's first fully automated copper-plating line at our Kurnell facility, proving scalability. 

Backed by leading VCs and government agencies and punching above our weight in partnering with global PV partners, we're now at the forefront of a generational shift in clean-energy manufacturing and driving industrial-scale deployment.  

If you want to work somewhere ambitious, collaborative, and deeply technical — where science meets impact — we'd love to hear from you. 

About the Role: 

As a Technical Project Manager, you'll lead mission-critical hardware projects that drive the commercialisation of our next-generation solar technology. This includes managing our scope within an external tool scale-up program and overseeing the installation and commissioning of a new pilot tool at our Sydney facility. 

You'll own project leadership, budgeting, scheduling, and partner coordination — working closely with our external manufacturing partner and internal technical teams. This role suits someone organised, proactive, and excited about scaling real-world hardware.

This role sits with our Technology Delivery division, where our ideas meet reality. This team takes SunDrive's copper-based technology from lab concept to scalable industrial process. It's home to engineers, scientists, and technicians who design, build, and refine our manufacturing tools and processes. Technology Delivery integrates chemistry, mechanics, and automation to bring solar innovation to production scale. 

• Leading hardware development projects end-to-end. 
• Installing and commissioning a new pilot tool and supporting systems. 
• Maintaining project schedules and resolving blockers. 
• Managing project budgets, tracking spend and variances. 
• Acting as the primary liaison with our tool manufacturing partner. 
• Supporting partner-led component validation, supplier engagement, and commissioning. 
• Supporting partner sales demos and integration activities. 
• Coordinating cross-functional teams and external vendors. 
• Maintaining clear documentation for internal and external stakeholders. 

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical, Manufacturing, or related engineering. 
• 5+ years project management in hardware or product development. 
• Experience installing capital equipment or setting up facilities. 
• Experience managing external vendors or CMs. 
• Proven ability to take hardware from prototype to production. 
• Strong budgeting and project financial skills. 
• Understanding of manufacturing, DFM, quality and reliability. 
• Familiarity with project management tools (e.g., JIRA). 
• Bonus: PMP certification or Mandarin proficiency (not essential).  

SunDrive's Benefits  

Meaningful Work & Ownership 

- Access SunDrive's Employee Stock Option Plan (ESOP) - real ownership in SunDrive's growth (permanent employees only).

- Work on breakthrough solar technology with global impact. 

- Be part of a tight, high-performing team where your ideas matter.

Learning & Growth 

- Company-wide L&D Fund for courses, coaching, and technical development. 

- Dedicated weekly learning time.

- Up to 2 days of paid L&D leave per year.

Leave & Flexibility 

- 4 weeks annual leave + unlimited rollover.

- 10 days paid Personal/Carer's Leave + unlimited rollover. 

- Parental Leave: 13 weeks primary / 6 weeks secondary caregiver leave. Paid antenatal leave and support for early arrivals, surrogacy, and return-to-work planning.

- 2 days paid Compassionate Leave per occasion. 

Health & Wellbeing 

- Free, confidential EAP support for employees and immediate family.

Financial & Everyday Perks 

- EV-only novated leasing (FBT-compliant). 

- Weekly transport (tolls and public transport) allowance up to $45. 

Weekly catered lunch + snacks and drinks onsite.

How We Work  

We're a team of engineers, scientists, operators, and builders who thrive where deep research meets real-world production. With teams in Australia and China, we collaborate across disciplines and borders to design, build, test, and optimise the technologies behind our breakthrough solar cells. At our Sydney site, R&D, pilot manufacturing, and process engineering sit under one roof, creating a fast, iterative loop between innovation and implementation. 

Our culture is open, accountable, and grounded in first principles. We work without ego, raise challenges early, and solve them together. We act like owners—pragmatic, resourceful, and committed to delivering work that's precise and built to last. 

We're ambitious in what we take on and united by a shared purpose: to turn breakthrough ideas into scalable technologies that power a better future. 

Additional Information 

SunDrive Solar Pty Ltd is an Equal Opportunity / Affirmative Action employer. We welcome applicants of all backgrounds and provide reasonable accommodations for candidates with disabilities. Please let your recruiter know if you need accommodation at any point during the interview process. 

This role requires full working rights in Australia. Unfortunately, SunDrive is not able to offer visa sponsorship for this position.

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