Corporate Positions

Ascend Elements is committed to attracting top talent to join our dynamic team and to help contribute to our continued success. Our corporate positions play a crucial role in driving innovation, strategic decision-making and operational excellence across all aspects of our business.

Construction Quality Manager

Ascend Elements is revolutionizing the production of lithium-ion battery materials by establishing a clean and sustainable supply chain using recycled feedstock. Its patented Hydro-to-Cathode™ technology directly synthesizes new cathode materials from spent lithium-ion cells more efficiently than traditional methods, resulting in reduced cost, improved performance, and lowered GHG emissions. The results are lower cost, better performance batteries with fewer discarded in landfills, a cleaner manufacturing process, and a truly sustainable closed-loop circular battery economy. Ascend Elements is taking the lithium-ion battery industry to a higher level.


We are currently hiring a Construction Quality Manager that will be responsible for developing, implementing, and managing quality programs for large-scale capital expenditure (CAPEX) projects in the battery materials industry. This role ensures that all construction activities comply with project specifications, industry and quality standards, and regulatory requirements, safeguarding the integrity and performance of critical process facilities.


Location: Hopkinsville, Kentucky


Responsibilities include but not limited to:


Quality Management Program Development



  • Establish and maintain a Project Quality Management Plan (QMP) to align with corporate and project-specific quality objectives.

  • Define quality control procedures, inspection protocols, and documentation standards based on chemical process industry codes (e.g., ASME, API, ASTM, ANSI, ACI).

  • Comply with environmental, health, safety, and process safety management (PSM) regulations.


Inspection & Verification



  • Oversee quality inspections across civil, structural, mechanical, piping, electrical, and instrumentation scopes.

  • Ensure that inspection and test plans (ITPs) are implemented by contractors and all inspection hold points, witness points, and testing requirements are fulfilled.

  • Coordinate and verify material certification, welding procedures (WPS/PQR/WQT), NDE/NDT activities, hydrostatic testing, and equipment installation to meet process safety and quality requirements.

  • Coordinate Materials and Equipment inspections upon arrival at the job site.


Quality Assurance & Non-Conformance Management



  • Conduct quality audits of contractors, subcontractors, and vendors to verify compliance with project quality standards.

  • Manage the Non-Conformance Reporting (NCR) process, facilitating timely investigation, root cause analysis, and implementation of corrective/preventive actions (CAPA).

  • Support management of change (MOC) processes impacting construction quality.


Documentation & Turnover



  • Maintain accurate and complete quality documentation and records for project deliverables, including welding maps, inspection reports, material traceability logs, testing certificates, and punch lists.

  • Oversee preparation of the Mechanical Completion (MC) and Turnover Dossier/Quality Dossier to support pre-commissioning, commissioning, and handover to operations.


Stakeholder Coordination & Leadership



  • Liaise with engineering, procurement, construction management (EPCM), operations, and safety teams to align on quality requirements.

  • Lead quality meetings, pre-installation reviews, and contractor onboarding sessions.

  • Provide quality training and coaching to project personnel to promote a proactive quality culture.

  • Support conversations with local, state, and federal regulators and/or authorities having jurisdiction (AHJs) to obtain permits and other approvals, as needed.

  • Coordinate with the procurement and finance teams to manage the project within budget.

  • Support resolution of quality-related issues impacting cost, schedule, and safety.


Education and Other Qualifications:



  • Bachelor’s degree in Engineering (Mechanical, Civil, Chemical, or related discipline), Construction Management, or equivalent technical field.

  • Minimum 8+ years of quality management experience in large CAPEX construction projects, with at least 3 years in the chemical/petrochemical, refining, or process industries.

  • Deep knowledge of chemical industry codes and standards (e.g., ASME B31.3, API 650/620, NFPA, NEC, ANSI, ASTM).

  • Familiarity with Process Safety Management (PSM), OSHA regulations, and hazardous materials handling.

  • Experience with welding inspection, NDT/NDE techniques, material testing, equipment installation, piping systems, and pressure vessels.

  • Proficient in quality management systems and construction management software (e.g., Procore, Aconex, Primavera, BIM platforms).

  • Familiarity with Kentucky regulations is preferred.

  • Excellent verbal and written communication skills.

  • Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail.

  • Proficient with Microsoft Office Suite or related software.

  • Ability to speak and write English.

  • Ability to wear an air purifying respirator and other company-required personal protective equipment.

  • Able to lift 50 pounds.


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Ascend Elements is an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.


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Vice President of Projects

Ascend Elements is revolutionizing the production of lithium-ion battery materials by establishing a clean and sustainable supply chain using recycled feedstock. Its patented Hydro-to-Cathode™ technology directly synthesizes new cathode materials from spent lithium-ion cells more efficiently than traditional methods, resulting in reduced cost, improved performance, and lowered greenhouse gas emissions. The results are lower cost, better performing batteries, a cleaner manufacturing process, and a truly sustainable closed-loop circular battery economy. This closed-loop process also allows for fewer end-of-life batteries being discarded in landfills. Ascend Elements is taking the lithium-ion battery industry to a higher level.


The Vice President of Projects is a member of the Company’s senior management team and is responsible for key value creation activities in the company. The candidate will have an opportunity to make a significant contribution to the future success of the company by providing outstanding managerial and technical leadership in project delivery. This is a pivotal leadership role that will directly impact our ability to scale operations and requires a leader with extensive experience in materials / chemical engineering, project management, production management and cross-functional collaboration. This position will report directly to the President.


Location: Covington, GA or Hopkinsville, KY


Key Responsibilities



  • Lead expert project management and coordination to ensure we have the expertise, resources, and capacity to achieve project target

  • Work cross-functionally with Health & Safety, R&D, Engineering, Supply Chain and Plant Operations to ensure alignment on project objectives and resource allocation, provide visibility to overall project plans and delivery, and drive execution

  • Establish project management standard operating practice (SOP) and project management standard for all Ascend Elements products

  • Utilize the best practice methods to provide expert project delivery and technical delivery across various initiatives

  • Provide leadership and direction to the in-house Project Management function as well as to any outsourced project partners

  • Oversee all projects, ensuring timely completion, adherence to budgets, and alignment with quality standards

  • Responsible for shaping and executing the functional strategy to achieve key business objectives of the Company

  • Deliver safe, high-quality projects which deliver material return for the company

  • Ensure conformance with standard operating practices, business controls as well as compliance with regulatory standards

  • Oversee project assurance from project award to commissioning and start-up


Leadership



  • Lead a high-performing team of project managers, engineers and controls professionals, fostering a culture of innovation, collaboration, cost efficiency, continuous improvement and delivery

  • Lead through multiple levels of managers of diverse activities

  • Evaluate key business challenges, direct the development of new or innovative solutions

  • Mentor and coach future leaders


Problem Solving



  • Drive the resolution of complex project or unusual business problems

  • Balance the challenges of financial, quality and schedule to optimize the long-term return for the company

  • Develop and manage project budgets, identifying cost-saving opportunities without compromising quality and performance


Education & Experience:



  • Bachelor’s degree in Business, Engineering, Environmental Science, Project Management or a related field; MBA or relevant advanced degree preferred.

  • 20+ years of experience in project management, with a focus on battery materials, energy or related industries. Experience with EPC a plus.

  • Big company and small company experience, a plus. Proven track record of leading large-scale projects, particularly in the construction of manufacturing facilities or mega plants.

  • Exceptional leadership, communication, and interpersonal skills

  • Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, dynamic environment and manage multiple priorities

  • Exceptional communication and negotiation skills, with the ability to influence stakeholders at all levels.

  • Excellent analytical skills, ability to display and exercise sound judgment

  • Applies in-depth knowledge of project management, manufacturing, safety, quality standards, inspection and testing to ensure strong manufacturing and operational performance

  • Demonstrated record of diligence and attention to detail working with very high standards both personally and technically


What We Offer



  • Competitive salary and performance-based incentives.

  • Participation in the Employee Stock Option Plan (ESOP).

  • Opportunity to lead business-critical projects of a high growth company in a new high growth industry

  • A collaborative and innovative work environment dedicated to sustainability


Ascend Elements is an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.


Learn more

You can make a difference — creating a truly sustainable battery industry

With North America’s largest battery recycling facility, strong relationships across the industry and our patented direct precursor synthesis technology, we are building a world-class team to meet industry demand for closed-loop battery materials solutions.

Learn more about our mission

You can make a difference — creating a truly sustainable battery industry

With North America’s largest battery recycling facility, strong relationships across the industry and our patented direct precursor synthesis technology, we are building a world-class team to meet industry demand for closed-loop battery materials solutions.

Learn more about our mission

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