Project & Operations Coordinator

Job Title: Project & Operations Coordinator

Location: Oak Ridge, Tennessee

About Us:

Direct Kinetic Solutions (DKS) is at the forefront of developing, manufacturing, and revolutionizing Radioisotopic Power Sources (RPS). Situated in Oak Ridge, TN, our radiological lab is dedicated to harnessing the high energy density of isotopes for compact power and electronic devices. Our goal is to redefine power solutions by leveraging continuous and steady energy emission from isotopes, enhancing the longevity and usability of devices such as sensors and small satellites. Direct Kinetic Solutions envisions being the power solution for future generations.

Position Overview

Support cross-functional engineering, manufacturing, and federal program activities by coordinating projects, improving operational processes, and assisting with purchasing and workflow execution. This role manages smaller internal initiatives while supporting execution of larger government contracts, providing visibility and continuity across teams.

You will serve as the central coordinator for cross-functional execution, owning the visibility of projects and federal program support. In this capacity, you ensure initiatives stay organized, deliverables are completed on time, and teams have clear next steps — while escalating risks and proposing process improvements to senior leadership. This role provides meaningful ownership and a platform for growth toward program or operations management.

Key Responsibilities

Project Coordination

• Lead the tracking of small internal engineering initiatives, operations improvements, and federal compliance efforts
• Support larger government contracts under senior leadership guidance
• Maintain project schedules in SmartSheets (Gantt charts, dependencies, dashboards, rollups)
• Monitor project milestones, deliverables, and reporting requirements
• Escalate risks, identify bottlenecks, and recommend solutions
• Coordinate cross-functional meetings and ensure action items are completed
• Prepare project status updates for leadership and federal stakeholders
  
   

Operations & Workflow Support

• Support ISO 9001 quality management processes by maintaining documentation, tracking compliance requirements, and assisting senior leadership with process implementation.
• Support purchasing and receiving processes, including PO tracking and vendor follow-up
• Maintain accurate records of procurement and inventory according to ISO standards
• Assist in vendor communication and supplier tracking
  
   
• Contribute to internal process improvements and documentation
  
   
• Track operational initiatives and task progress in SmartSheets
  
   
• Ensure operational processes remain organized, consistent, and efficient
  
   

Required Qualifications

• 3–5 years of experience in project coordination, operations, or a similar cross-functional role
• Exposure to DoD, government contracting, or regulated industries is preferred
• Exposure to ISO Procedures is preferred
• Experience collaborating with engineering or technical teams
• Proficiency in SmartSheets or similar project management tools
• Strong written and verbal communication skills
• Business, operations, engineering, or related degree background
• Highly organized, detail-oriented, and proactive
• Eager to take ownership and grow in a fast-paced, dynamic environment
• PMP Certification preferred
  
   

Who you are

• You take ownership of execution — you enjoy being the person who brings structure to complex work, keeps teams aligned, and ensures nothing falls through the cracks.
• You’re energized by cross-functional environments — working alongside engineering, operations, and leadership to translate priorities into organized plans, clear documentation, and consistent follow-through.
• You value learning through exposure — you’re excited by hands-on visibility into engineering workflows, federal program execution, and operational process improvement, and you see variety as an opportunity to grow.
• You thrive with mentorship and responsibility — you’re eager to take initiative while learning from senior leaders, and you’re motivated by a clear path toward program or operations management.
• You look for ways to make things better — you naturally identify inefficiencies, suggest improvements, and take pride in building processes that help teams scale.