VP of Projects

What We're Building

Candid is building the AI layer for EPCs and owner operators.

We use AI to reduce the manual effort behind preconstruction engineering by automating document understanding, consistency checks, and repetitive workflow steps across major disciplines. The goal is to make preconstruction 10x faster without sacrificing engineering quality.

We recently raised $6.5M from top AI and industrial investors (including Schneider Electric and Meta’s Chief AI Scientist). Our team includes engineers from MIT, Carnegie Mellon, major LNG and power projects, and leading EPCs.

Why This Role Exists

Candid is at the inflection point where early client engagements need to become a scalable delivery practice. We need a senior leader who has overseen multiple concurrent capital projects and knows how to build the team, processes, and quality systems to deliver pre-FEED and FEED work at scale.

You will be the person responsible for making sure every Candid engagement delivers engineering-grade output on time. You will hire and manage Project Directors, set delivery standards, and serve as the senior domain authority in our most strategic client relationships.

What You Will Do

• Own Candid’s entire project delivery portfolio across LNG, gas-to-power, power generation, midstream, and downstream/petrochemical engagements

• Hire, manage, and develop a team of Project Directors who execute Pre-FEED / FEED delivery work for clients

• Define and enforce delivery methodology, quality standards, and gate review processes across all engagements

• Serve as Candid’s senior engineering authority in strategic client conversations — the person VPs of Projects and Heads of Engineering at owner/operators and EPCs look to for understanding the work

• Work with Candid’s sales team to scope new engagements, qualify opportunities, and ensure delivery commitments are realistic

• Partner with our AI and product team to prioritize automation targets based on real delivery pain points across the portfolio

• Build the systems to track project performance, resource utilization, and delivery quality as the practice scales from 3 engagements to 30

• Own client satisfaction and retention — if a project is at risk, you are the escalation point

Who You Are

• 20+ years in capital project execution, with significant time in LNG, gas-to-power, power generation, midstream, or petrochemical facilities

• You have held VP, Director, or Senior Project Director titles overseeing multiple concurrent Pre-FEED / FEED engagements

• Proven track record of building and leading project teams — not just inheriting them

• Deep fluency in FEL stage-gate methodology, PDRI, design basis development, and the full preconstruction engineering lifecycle

• You understand both the EPC and owner/operator perspectives and can navigate the interface between them at a senior level

• Strong commercial instincts — you can scope engagements, price work, and manage client expectations without a 10-person PMO behind you

• Experience managing P&L or project economics at the portfolio level

• You see AI as leverage, not a threat. You want to build a delivery organization that is fundamentally different from what exists today.

Nice to Have

• Previous experience at a leading EPC or a major owner/operator in the LNG/power space

• Experience building a project delivery practice or consulting practice from scratch

• Relationships with project development teams at owner/operators currently in or approaching pre-FEED

• Background in EPCM, PMC, or owner’s engineer models

• Familiarity with AWP, modular execution, or other execution strategy innovations

Why Candid

• You’ve overseen hundreds of millions in project spend and watched the same problems repeat. Here, you build the organization that breaks the cycle.

• Ground-floor leadership at a funded, fast-moving startup with real clients and real revenue.

• Your team won’t fight the tools — the tools are built around the work your team does.

• Startup equity and compensation commensurate with a VP-level hire.

• Direct line to founders and investors. No layers. Real decisions, real impact.

Compensation and Perks

• Base + meaningful equity

• Unlimited PTO

• Insurance with medical, dental, and vision coverage

• Daily lunch & dinner at the office

• Health and wellness budget up to $150 per month