Hopkinsville, KY Archives | Ascend Elements

Planner/Scheduler

Hopkinsville, KY

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 landfill, 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 Planner / Scheduler! This role will be responsible for providing detailed conceptual estimates from pre-construction schematic and design documents and detailed construction estimates from construction plans and specifications. Project scopes are generally less than $50 million or for designated components on large, complex projects.

Job Overview

The Planner/Scheduler is responsible for developing, maintaining, and monitoring project schedules to support the successful execution of Engineering, Procurement, Construction, and Commissioning (EPCC) battery recycling projects. This role involves applying industry best practices in planning and scheduling to ensure effective resource allocation, progress tracking, and critical path management.

The ideal candidate will possess strong analytical skills, a solid command of Primavera P6, and the ability to assess project trends while proactively identifying risks and mitigation strategies. The Planner/Scheduler will work closely with multi-disciplinary teams, providing essential scheduling insights that drive efficiency and timely project execution.

Key Responsibilities

Project Planning & Scheduling

Develop and maintain logically linked Level 3 and Level 4 EPCC schedules, ensuring alignment with project objectives.

Prepare predecessor and successor relationships in accordance with best scheduling practices and precedence flow diagrams.

Integrate EPCC activities into a fully resource-loaded and logically sequenced project schedule.

Develop and monitor the project baseline schedule, tracking variances and providing recovery plans when necessary.

Utilize earned value management (EVM) techniques to measure project progress and forecast potential deviations.

Resource & Progress Management

Generate workforce histograms, progress curves, and quantity tracking reports to ensure proper resource allocation.

Resource load and level schedules to efficiency and prevent bottlenecks.

Support work package planning efforts, identifying required resources, materials, tools, and equipment for timely execution.

Track and report schedule compliance, analyzing key performance factors and deviations from baseline.

Schedule Risk & Critical Path Analysis

Conduct critical path method (CPM) analysis, identifying potential delays and recommending mitigation measures.

Evaluate schedule risks and constraints that could impact project delivery, developing contingency plans as needed.

Lead schedule review meetings and facilitate detailed multi-discipline scope reviews to ensure alignment across teams.

Monitor and analyze project schedule variations based on historical data and current trends, providing proactive recommendations for improvement.

Stakeholder Collaboration & Reporting

Act as the primary schedule liaison between engineering, procurement, construction, and commissioning teams.

Work closely with project managers and functional leads to ensure schedule alignment with project execution plans.

Provide regular schedule reports, dashboards, and data visualizations for management and key stakeholders.

Mentor junior planners, providing guidance on best scheduling practices and software utilization.

Qualifications & Experience

Essential Qualifications:

Associate’s degree or bachelor’s degree in project management, Engineering, Construction, Business Management, or a related field.

5-7 years of experience in project planning and scheduling for large-scale projects (EPC, EPCM, etc).

Expertise in Primavera P6 and Microsoft Project, with experience integrating schedules across multiple disciplines.

Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel (curves, histograms, dynamic tables, formulas, and reporting).

Strong understanding of earned value management (EVM), resource leveling, and forecasting techniques.

Ability to analyze and interpret scheduling data to drive informed decision-making.

Experience in conducting schedule risk assessments and implementing mitigation strategies.

Knowledge of construction and fabrication processes, including work packaging and installation sequencing.

Preferred Qualifications:

Certification in Primavera P6, PMI-SP (Scheduling Professional), or AACE PSP (Planning & Scheduling Professional).

Experience in battery recycling, renewable energy, or industrial construction projects.

Knowledge of cost control and its integration with scheduling functions.

Strong problem-solving skills with a proactive approach to schedule optimization and risk mitigation.

Key Competencies & Skills

Critical Thinking & Problem-Solving – Ability to assess scheduling issues, anticipate challenges, and develop practical solutions.

Attention to Detail – Ensure accuracy and completeness in schedule development and tracking.

Analytical & Data Interpretation Skills – Ability to assess project performance through schedule analytics.

Strong Communication & Collaboration – Engage effectively with cross-functional teams and present complex scheduling data in a clear and actionable manner.

Organizational & Time Management – Handle multiple priorities while maintaining schedule integrity.

APPLY TODAY!

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.

Cost Controls Engineer

Hopkinsville, KY

We are currently hiring a Cost Controls Engineer! This role will be responsible for providing detailed conceptual estimates from pre-construction schematic and design documents and detailed construction estimates from construction plans and specifications. Project scopes are generally less than $50 million or for designated components on large, complex projects.

Responsibilities include but not limited to:

Cost Estimation and Budgeting

Develop and implement the project controls execution plan, ensuring alignment with cost management best practices

Participate in the project estimating process, ensuring that project cost estimates align with contractual requirements and scope.

Defining and structure the Organizational Breakdown Structure (OBS), Work Breakdown Structure (WBS), and Cost Breakdown Structure (CBS) in financial and progress systems.

Ensure cost coding system is properly applied, and information flow is correct and complete

Cost Tracking and Monitoring

Establish and maintain cost control systems to track actual expenditures against budgets and commitments.

Analyze and interpret cost trends, performance metrics, and cost variances.

Monitor actual progress vs. planned progress, including engineering, procurement, fabrication, construction, and commissioning status.

Provide timely and accurate Cost and Progress Measurement Data, ensuring the accuracy of project cost forecasting

Earned Value Management (EVM) & Progress Measurement

Demonstrate understanding and application of Earned Value Management (EVM) principles for measuring project performance.

Set up and maintain the progress measurement system, ensuring accurate tracking of project milestones and deliverables.

Ensure that Issued for Construction (IFC) quantity take-offs are properly tied to turnover systems.

Audit quantity take-offs and reported installed quantities for consistency with project progress reports.

Forecasting and Financial Control

Develop and maintain the cost forecasting system and cost reports, ensuring alignment with project objectives.

Prepare project cash flows and cost spread analysis.

Undertake monthly cost forecasting and trend analysis, identifying deviations and proposing corrective actions.

Monitor and analyze committed costs, actual vs. budget performance, and cost productivity metrics.

Change Management and Risk Control

Support change management efforts, including developing cost estimates for change verification.

Monitor variations from the original scope of work, capturing and assessing related impacts on costs and schedule.

Assist with contract amendments, ensuring cost implications are properly documented and managed.

Reporting and Communication

Prepare and present project cost reports and variance analysis reports to project stakeholders.

Support accounting with cost-to-billings reconciliations and invoicing reviews.

Provide accurate and timely reporting on cost and progress measurement data to management.

Generate spreadsheet and PowerBI analysis reports for cost and progress management review.

Procurement and Subcontractor Cost Management

Work closely with procurement and subcontract management teams to verify progress and earned value against invoices received.

Ensure the cost coding system is properly applied and information flow is complete.

Monitor cost commitments related to material procurement and subcontractor services.

Support the Subcontract Management team in tracking variations and processing accruals.

Compliance and Best Practices

Adhere to internal project control processes and ensure compliance with industry cost management best practices.

Ensure that financial processes align with contractual requirements and project scope.

Participate in the closeout report data collection, ensuring lessons learned and cost control insights are documented for future projects.

Support the professional development of junior project controls personnel, providing mentorship and guidance.

Education:

Bachelor s degree in construction management, architecture, engineering, or related field required and 4+ years of related experience or completion of an Associates degree and 5+ years of related experience. Where related experience is defined as experience in cost control, project controls, or financial management in an engineering, construction, or manufacturing environment.

Strong understanding of Earned Value Management (EVM) principles and project financial controls.

Proficiency in cost control, planning and ERP software and tools (e.g., Primavera P6, SAP, Excel, PowerBI).

Strong proficiency in PowerBi, including data integration, DAX and creating dashboards.

Excellent analytical skills with the ability to interpret financial data, identify trends, and provide cost-saving recommendations.

Strong analytical and logic skills with the ability to maintain a high degree of precision on detailed work.

Ability to efficiently manage multiple projects and priorities simultaneously under time constraints.

Demonstrated integrity and ethical standards.

Developed skills (written, oral, and listening) to effectively communicate with diverse audiences.

Excellent interpersonal skills with the ability to build successful and lasting relationships.

APPLY TODAY!

Instrumentation & Controls Engineer

Hopkinsville, KY

Ascend Elements is a fast-growing organization that is revolutionizing the production of lithium-ion battery materials for electric vehicles. Recognized as a climate technology leader, the company elevates the value of recycled elements and engineers sustainable battery materials to support the global clean-energy transition. The company’s patented Hydro-to-Cathode™ direct precursor synthesis technology produces new, sustainable cathode materials from spent lithium-ion batteries more efficiently than traditional methods, resulting in improved performance and lower carbon emissions. Ascend Elements is taking sustainability in the lithium-ion battery industry to a higher level.

We are currently hiring an Instrumentation & Controls Engineer to join our Advanced Manufacturing Engineering team! In this position you will be responsible for the overall process automation design and optimization of AE manufacturing facilities which include handling, discharge, and disassembly of spent EV batteries, shredding of such batteries, and chemical processing of this shredded material into new battery cathode.

This position will be based in Hopkinsville KY or in our Massachusetts Headquarters.

Responsibilities include but are not limited to:

Provide instrumentation and process controls technical expertise for capital projects, including reviewing and updating P&IDs, designing instruments, preparing or reviewing instrument index, input/output lists, instrument loop diagrams, instrument datasheets, control description, instruments requisition, junction box termination drawings, cable schedules, supporting FAT, SAT, installation, commissioning, startup.

Interface with EPC firms and construction contractors to effectively design and execute instrumentation and plant automation systems.

Lead efficiency improvement automation projects in multiple brown and green field sites. Modify and debug process control systems to achieve continuous process optimization and downtime reduction.

Interface with R&D team and contractors to select and implement instrumentation and automation systems of new processes.

Work with Quality team on quality control data management.

Support the production plant’s technical staff to meet plant metrics with robust processes and quality systems based on the APQP tool kit.

Lead RCA (Root Cause Analysis) and troubleshooting effort to resolve process controls upset and product quality deviations.

Travel: 10% on average if based in Hopkinsville, 25% on average if based in Westborough, 50% peak during commissioning depending on site location.

Skills and Requirements:

Bachelor’s degree or technical diploma in Electrical, Process Controls, or Chemical Engineering with automation experience.

5+ years of experience in instrumentation and controls design and troubleshooting of industrial manufacturing plant. Programming experience is a plus.

Knowledge of control system design for performance material or similar manufacturing processes, and ability to read, interpret and generate engineering drawings and specifications.

Experience with Control panel design and low voltage electrical system.

Knowledge of Siemens and Allen Bradley programming is a plus.

Knowledge of and hands on experience using APQP tools (or equivalent) including FMEA, SPC, and design and process validation as well as Lean and 6 Sigma tools.

Effective project management for >$100k capital equipment projects.

Experience, judgement, and technical knowledge to drive data-based decisions.

Skilled user of MS office tools including Word, EXCEL, Outlook, Project, AutoCAD.

Ability to travel domestically and internationally.

APPLY TODAY!

Document Controller

Hopkinsville, KY

Ascend Elements (AE) 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 landfill, a cleaner manufacturing process, and a truly sustainable closed-loop circular battery economy. Ascend Elements (AE) is taking the lithium-ion battery industry to a higher level.

We are currently hiring a Document Controller to join our Advanced Manufacturing Engineering team. Under the direction of the Project Director/Lead and functionally reporting to the Advanced Manufacturing Engineering Director, the Document Controller will establish, plan, control, and direct the full scope of document/records management program activities for the project.

This position can be based in Hopkinsville, Kentucky or Covington, Georgia.

Responsibilities included but not limited to:

Develops and maintains procedures and standards for maintaining documents and revision history of documents, including document development, approval, distribution, and amendment.

Evaluate, select and roll out an Electronic Document Management System through Ascend Elements’ (AE) Projects.

Maintain the Electronic Document Management System (EDMS) to register, control, distribute, transmit, file, and archive project records for a team in multiple locations across multiple countries.

Plan the scope of document/records management work, establish priorities, and train personnel to perform their assigned duties for project.

Communicate effectively with project team members, client, and field personnel to ensure quality, schedule and budget are met as defined.

Support quality assurance audits, internal technical reviews, and external audits.

Manage project access to the EDMS by creating accounts and inviting users, perform associated tasks with EDMS administration, and train others in these tasks.

Ensure supplier and AE’s documentation is processed within established schedule standards.

Prepare routine documents using standard word processing, spreadsheets, or other office software as needed to support work activities.

Ensure training and training records for project administrative personnel are current.

Compile information, analyze and prepare reports, and establish metrics for document/records management and administrative activities.

Qualifications and Other Skills:

Must have a minimum of 5 years project-based experience performing document/records management with a full understanding on the configuration of the EDMS, work processes, and coordination of project workflow with other entities.

Must have advanced proficiency using standard office automation tools, including Microsoft Excel, Outlook, and Word. (A proficiency test may be required).

Advanced analytical ability to build and maintain databases and presentations for project and functional management.

Have strong interpersonal and customer service skills.

Have ability to work flexibly and collaboratively across all levels of the organization.

Must be flexible and able to accept and quickly adapt to changes in work focus.

APPLY TODAY!

Lead Instrumentation and Controls Engineer

Hopkinsville, KY

Ascend Elements (AE) 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 landfill, 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.

Were currently hiring a Lead Instrumentation and Controls Engineer to join our Advanced Manufacturing Engineering team. In such position, the Instrumentation and Controls Lead shall lead the overall control design of the entire manufacturing plant which includes the handling, discharge, and disassembly of spent EV batteries, the shredding of such batteries, the chemical conversion of this shredded material into new battery cathode. The AME team is responsible for scaling our technology from demonstration plant scale to full production scale at multiple brown and green field sites in the US and Europe. In addition to process development, vendor selection, plant design, commissioning and installation, this group leads the technology scaling efforts as next generation technologies are proven in our R&D group.

This position can be based in Hopkinsville Kentucky, Westborough Massachusetts or Covington Georgia with frequent travel to our facilities.

Responsibilities include but not limited to:

Provide technical leadership for the capital equipment process including technical specification creation, vendor selection and qualification, equipment design/build, FAT, SAT, installation, commissioning, and optimization.

Lead Controls interface with Automation contractor, Engineering firm, and EPC firm to effectively design and execute plant controls and data management systems

Project leadership and Subject Matter Expert (SME) for all automation projects throughout the plant design process

Instrumentation engineering lead through the plant design process

Review engineering automation and instrumentation deliverables.

Commissioning lead for I/O checks, automation functional tests during pre-commissioning and commissioning.

Management of a team of 2-3 engineers.

Support the production plant’s technical staff to meet plant metrics with robust processes and quality systems based on the APQP tool kit.

Up to 10% travel on average, could exceed 50% on average during peak plant commissioning phases (depending on location).

Education / Experience:

Bachelor’s degree in Automation, Process Controls, or Chemical Engineering with automation experience or any other applicable engineering field. Advanced degree a plus.

15 years of experience in controls design, build out, instrumentation design, and optimization of industrial manufacturing plant.

Skills / Requirements:

Knowledge and experience of control system hardware and software (PLC and DCS) for performance material or similar manufacturing process, and ability to read, interpret and generate engineering drawings and specifications.

Knowledge of Delta V Emerson DCS is required.

Experience with PID development and review (instrumentation and controls).

Experience with HAZOP reviews.

Experience with instrumentation selection, sizing, data sheet review, installation details review, loop wiring review.

Experience with FAT, Commissioning, SAT.

Experience with Ethernet, Modbus, Fieldbus.

Knowledge of Siemens and Allan Bradley programming is a plus.

Knowledge of and hands on experience using APQP tools (or equivalent) including FMEA, SPC, and design and process validation as well as Lean and 6 Sigma tools.