Air Quality Science - San Francisco - Aclima, Inc.

Description

TL;DR

Aclima is seeking a Senior Technical Project Manager to lead execution of complex, science-heavy programs that combine field data collection, scientific advisory/consulting, and software-enabled deliverables for government agencies, utilities, and other regulated customers. This role is ideal for a technically fluent project leader who can run multi-partner programs end-to-end—aligning stakeholders, managing budgets and schedules, de-risking execution, and producing defensible, high-quality deliverables that stand up to technical review and public scrutiny. If you thrive in ambiguity, love building structure, and can translate between scientists, engineers, and customers, we want to hear from you. This role is preferably based in the San Francisco Bay Area, though candidates in other locations may be considered.

About Aclima

Aclima is pioneering an entirely new way to scientifically monitor and respond to air pollution in communities, and track the effectiveness of focused mitigation efforts. We leverage cutting‑edge sensor technology mounted on fleets of mapping vehicles to measure air pollution, greenhouse gases, methane, and air toxics across entire cities, states, and regions at block‑level resolution. Our professional analytics software, Aclima Pro, translates billions of scientific measurements into insights at the source level, providing Environmental Intelligence for governments, industry, and communities. Our free app delivers address‑level air pollution insights for the communities we serve. Aclima is a purpose‑driven technology company helping to catalyze bold climate action that protects community health, reduces emissions, and supports smart government.

Aclima is one of Time Magazine's 100 most influential companies. Other awards include Fast Company's 50 Most Innovative Companies in the World, #1 in Data Science, Inc. Magazine's Best in Business, a Fast Company 2022 World Changing Idea, a WEF Technology Pioneer, and one of the top 100 companies in GovTech for 2023. Aclima is headquartered in the San Francisco Bay Area.

To learn more about Aclima, please visit

About the Role

We are seeking a Senior Technical Project Manager who will be directly responsible for planning and delivering Aclima's most complex customer programs—from kickoff through final deliverables and closeout. Reporting to the VP of Engineering, this role is pivotal to ensuring Aclima delivers science‑forward work on time, on budget, and to a defensible standard. Given the scientific rigor and external technical review involved, a PhD degree is highly preferred.

Aclima programs often involve:

• Scientific methods development and QA/QC planning
• Coordinated field operations (mobile monitoring fleets and/or stationary deployments)
• Rigorous calibration schedules
• Data pipelines and analytics deliverables
• Consulting outputs (plans, reports, technical memos, methods documentation, interpretation guidance)
• Multi‑stakeholder communications (program owners, technical reviewers, procurement, legal/privacy, communications)
• You must be comfortable operating at multiple altitudes: managing day‑to‑day execution details while also leading stakeholder alignment, risk management, and decision‑making on complex technical tradeoffs.

What success looks like in the first 180 days:

• Independently lead 1–2 active projects, owning delivery from plan to execution to closeout.
• Establish a repeatable program operating cadence: weekly customer syncs, internal standups, milestone reviews, risk tracking, and decision logs.
• Implement clear deliverable standards: acceptance criteria, review gates, versioning, and documentation requirements aligned with scientific defensibility.
• Improve cross‑functional handoffs between Data Science, Engineering, Operations, and Executive teams (clear ownership, timelines, and definitions of done).
• Create or strengthen the program toolkit: templates for Monitoring Plans/QAPPs, data delivery specs, reporting formats, and change‑control processes.
• Demonstrate measurable improvements in schedule predictability, issue resolution time, and customer satisfaction for programs you lead.

Responsibilities:

Program Leadership & Execution

• Own program scope, schedule, budget, and delivery outcomes across scientific monitoring and consulting engagements.
• Build detailed project plans (work breakdown structures, milestones, staffing plans, dependencies) and drive execution against them.
• Run internal and external program cadences (status reporting, action tracking, steering decisions, escalation pathways).
• Manage multiple workstreams and partners simultaneously (internal teams + academic or subcontractor collaborators).
• Drive change management: scope changes, contract modifications, and stakeholder expectations with clear documentation and approvals.

Technical & Scientific Project Management

• Translate scientific requirements into executable plans: sampling strategies, QA/QC processes, data validation workflows, and deliverable specifications.
• Coordinate development and review of technical deliverables (methods docs, QA plans, analysis reports, geospatial outputs, StoryMaps, dashboards).
• Ensure scientific deliverables are reproducible and defensible: documentation, version control, traceability, assumptions, and limitations are clearly captured.
• Support technical review meetings with scientists, engineers, and external experts; ensure feedback is incorporated systematically.

Risk, Quality, and Governance

• Maintain a program risk register and mitigation plans (field operations risks, instrument readiness, data quality, schedule dependencies, procurement constraints).
• Establish acceptance criteria for key deliverables and manage quality review gates across teams.
• Coordinate governance practices: decision logs, audit trails for data and models, and clear interim vs final deliverable labeling.
• Proactively manage issues—identify root causes, drive corrective actions, and prevent repeat problems.

Customer & Stakeholder Management

• Serve as the day‑to‑day program lead for science customers, maintaining trust and transparency throughout delivery.
• Navigate complex stakeholder sets (technical reviewers, academics, program owners, procurement/legal, communications) while keeping execution moving.
• Communicate progress and risks clearly, adapting to both highly technical and non‑technical audiences.
• Support proposal development and project transitions from sales to delivery, ensuring assumptions and commitments are implementable.

Must haves Qualifications:

• 8+ years experience in technical project/program management, including delivery of complex, multi‑stakeholder work.
• PhD in environmental sciences, engineering, or a closely related field is highly preferred.
• Proven experience managing science‑heavy or engineering‑heavy projects, including consulting‑style deliverables (reports, methods docs, customer presentations).
• Demonstrated ability to manage projects with data collection and analytics components (instrumentation, QA/QC, pipelines, data products).
• Strong operational discipline: planning, forecasting, status reporting, risk management, and change control.
• Comfort working across scientists, engineers, and operations teams; able to translate between domains and drive alignment.
• Excellent written communication: able to produce clear, structured documentation and customer‑ready materials.
• High ownership mindset: can operate independently, elevate appropriately, and drive outcomes in ambiguity.

Strong Plus:

• Experience in air quality, atmospheric science, environmental monitoring, or adjacent climate tech domains.
• Experience with mobile monitoring platforms, small sensors, or field deployment operations.
• Familiarity with QA/QC frameworks (e.g., QAPPs, SOPs, calibration and validation processes).
• Experience delivering work for government agencies or utilities, including procurement‑driven environments and formal deliverable acceptance processes.
• Experience with geospatial deliverables (GIS, ESRI, StoryMaps) and/or data visualization products.
• PMP certification or equivalent (helpful, not required).

Pay Transparency

This is a full‑time exempt position based in the San Francisco Bay Area. The base salary range for this role and location is $166,000‑$195,000, plus equity and benefits. Salary ranges are determined by role, level, and location, and are informed by current market data provided by Carta Total Comp.

Within those ranges, individual pay is determined by role, level, and location at time of hire, as well as job‑related skills, experience, and relevant education or training. The hiring manager can share more about the specific salary range for your geographic region during the hiring process.

To Apply

Please submit your resume. Be prepared to show off your track record of success and explain why you're especially qualified.

Equal Employment Opportunity

Aclima is committed to diversity in our organization and building an equitable and inclusive environment for people of all backgrounds and experiences, and has proudly made the Kapor Capital Founders' Commitment. Aclima provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability or genetics. In addition to federal law requirements, Aclima complies with applicable state and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment in every location. We especially encourage members of traditionally underrepresented communities to apply, including women, people of color, LGBTQ people, veterans, and people with disabilities. Full‑time position only. Out of area candidates will be considered.

Benefits

Aside from the fulfillment of working alongside world‑class colleagues to make a positive impact in people's lives, while improving planetary and public health, Aclima offers competitive compensation, equity potential, and excellent benefits. Benefits include medical/dental/vision/Life/AD&D/LTD, 401K, wellness credits, company events, and an extraordinary culture.