Project Manager (m/w/d)

Become a Project Manager with Second Foundation in Tokyo, Japan, managing BESS projects from development to commissioning. Collaborate with cross-functional teams and ensure compliance with Japanese regulations. Enjoy 20 days of paid vacation, flexible hours, and a competitive salary with performance bonuses. Join Second Foundation as a Project Manager in Tokyo, Japan, where you will manage the full lifecycle of Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) projects. This role involves coordinating with internal teams and local contractors, ensuring compliance with Japanese regulations, and maintaining project schedules and budgets. Enjoy 20 days of paid vacation, flexible working hours, and a competitive salary with performance-based bonuses while working with a talented team in a dynamic environment.

Second Foundation Tokyo, Japan Flexible Full Time UTC+09:00

Second Foundation

Company Overview

Name

Second Foundation

Headquarters

Prague, Czechia

Founded

2019 (source: second-foundation.eu)

Size

450+ employees worldwide (source: second-foundation.eu)

What They Do

Second Foundation is a private technology and energy trading group that specializes in algorithmic electricity trading, portfolio origination, and virtual power plant aggregation. The company is actively building a portfolio of flexible assets such as battery energy storage systems across Europe, the US, and Japan (source: second-foundation.eu). Their core focus is on short-term electricity trading and algorithmic market-making, utilizing proprietary low-latency trading platforms and machine-learning models to execute approximately 100,000 automated trades per day (source: second-foundation.eu). They offer a range of services including market making, route-to-market services, and commercial optimization for renewable assets, targeting owners and operators of solar and wind farms, battery owners, and industrial flexible consumers (source: sf-origination.eu). The company differentiates itself through its mathematical expertise and integrated forecasting capabilities, providing commercially aligned services to asset owners (source: second-foundation.eu).

Projects & Track Record

Second Foundation manages and trades on a pan-European scale, with its origination arm managing roughly 1.5 GW of renewable capacity across various markets (source: sf-origination.eu). Notable projects include a 13.8 MW battery project in Germany, where Second Foundation remains the majority owner and commercial operator (source: daiwa-ei.jp). They also acquired a 60 MWh battery energy storage project in Finland (source: mainsights.io) and are responsible for trading and aggregation of Smart Solar’s grid-scale BESS in Japan (source: japanenergyhub.com). The company has expanded its capabilities through acquisitions, such as Nano Energies Trade, to enhance its aggregation and VPP services (source: second-foundation.eu).

Recent Developments

In recent years, Second Foundation has made significant strides, including the acquisition of Nano Energies’ flexibility aggregator to expand its VPP services, pending competition approval (source: second-foundation.eu). In 2025, they announced a strategic partnership with Bochemie Group to integrate battery hardware and services (source: gazenergy.cz). The company has also expanded internationally, establishing a US trading arm and launching commercial activities in Japan (source: energy.gov). Their M&A activities include acquiring battery projects in Finland and developing a 13.8 MW German BESS project (source: daiwa-ei.jp). They continue to expand their route-to-market services across Europe, including the Nordic and Balkan countries (source: sf-origination.eu).

Working There

Second Foundation offers a dynamic work environment with roles spanning trading, quantitative research, software engineering, and more (source: second-foundation.eu). They actively recruit for positions in algorithmic trading, quant research, and systems engineering across their offices in Prague, Switzerland, Germany, the USA, and Japan (source: second-foundation.eu). The company promotes a flat hierarchy and values mathematical excellence, innovation, and cross-disciplinary collaboration (source: second-foundation.eu). While specific benefits are not detailed publicly, they emphasize career development and international mobility (source: second-foundation.eu). Prospective employees are encouraged to consult job postings for role-specific compensation and benefits (source: second-foundation.eu).

Contact

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Last updated on 2025-12-25 | Report an issue

What would you work on

Manage the full lifecycle of BESS projects in Japan—from development and permitting to construction and commissioning.
Lead cross-functional coordination between internal engineering, procurement, legal, and finance teams.
Oversee engagement with local EPC contractors, equipment suppliers, and permitting authorities.
Ensure compliance with Japanese regulations, including METI requirements and grid interconnection standards.
Coordinate with Japanese utilities (e.g., TEPCO, KEPCO) for grid connection and system integration.
Maintain project schedules, budgets, risk registers, and quality assurance processes.
Deliver timely reporting to stakeholders in both Japan and the broader APAC/global team.
Manage contractual obligations, change orders, and vendor performance throughout the project.
Promote a strong culture of safety and regulatory compliance on all project sites.

What makes you a great candidate

Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Energy Systems, Project Management, or related discipline.
5+ years of experience in infrastructure or renewable energy project management in Japan.
Demonstrated experience with BESS, solar + storage, or power infrastructure projects.
Familiarity with Japanese permitting processes and construction regulations.
Business-level fluency in Japanese and English (written and spoken).
Strong interpersonal skills and ability to work with Japanese stakeholders and contractors.
Willingness to travel.
Curiosity and openness to innovation in order to develop further in a dynamic environment.

What do we offer

20 days of paid vacation (in addition to national holidays).
Flexible working hours and home office options.
Competitive salary with a performance-based bonus structure.
Latest tech tools: High-end phone and laptop provided to support your productivity.
Exciting work with a talented team in algorithmic trading.
Short decision-making paths and rapid development opportunities.
Training budget to support your professional development and growth.