Senior Manager, Engineering Operations

Description

The company is a new nuclear energy technology and engineering business building fluoride-salt-cooled, high-temperature reactors (FHR) meant to be safe, affordable and flexible enough to back up growing amounts of variable renewable power.

This role leads 24/7 engineering operations and test execution. You will choose, train, develop and direct multidisciplinary engineering support staff, operators and technical staff for high-temperature test campaigns and the commissioning of complex experimental systems.

Over time the scope grows to include activating and running the company's operating nuclear reactors.

You will bring a track record in industrial operations, nuclear or chemical plants, or advanced energy systems, and you will guide operations management, systems integration, process development, training and safety compliance. Your judgment will shape how test and operating facilities are designed, run and improved.

Responsibilities

• Set the direction for 24/7 engineering operations so they match company objectives and milestones.
• Build and carry out long-term plans to grow operating capability, simplify execution and improve reliability across test platforms.
• Set and enforce operating standards and practices that drive continuous improvement, safety, technical rigor and operational excellence.
• Find, assess and reduce operational, technical, regulatory, safety and organizational risk.
• Lead a mixed group of managers, operators and engineers, and build strong leaders at every level.
• Build team capacity through staff development, succession planning, performance management and recognition.
• Oversee test campaign planning from start to finish, including readiness reviews, execution protocols and post-test analysis.
• Build and sustain a strong nuclear safety culture with cautious decisions, procedure compliance and high operating standards.
• Lead the creation, rollout and ongoing improvement of site operating programs, procedures, work controls and management processes.
• Make sure the facility has enough trained and qualified staff and is ready for commissioning, initial criticality, startup and sustained operation.
• Oversee operational readiness across organization, procedures, training and qualification, staffing, equipment and emergency preparedness.
• Build and run a phased program to staff and operate next-generation Small Modular Reactors safely, effectively and in compliance.
• Work with Engineering, EHS, R&D, Operations, Quality and other groups to write and refine test procedures and operating envelopes.
• Keep operational and test systems, including SCADA, instrumentation and data acquisition, accurate and reliable.
• Write and improve standard operating procedures and shift operation frameworks for all test and operating facilities.
• Apply reliability-centered maintenance and root cause analysis to recurring problems.
• Oversee system upgrades, change control and the introduction of new technologies or designs into operations.
• Make sure all operations meet EHS and NRC policies and licenses.
• Lead work with EHS to develop and approve job hazard analyses, permit procedures, risk management plans and emergency response planning.
• Act as the escalation point for safety and operational incidents and make sure strong corrective actions follow.
• Brief senior leaders, program managers and technical directors on readiness, risk and strategic recommendations.
• Represent engineering operations in cross-organizational working groups and governance forums.
• Support regulatory and audit preparation required by industry standards or internal review bodies.
• Oversee commissioning and handover to operations for new operating and experimental facilities.
• Lead cost-efficiency and capital planning for infrastructure and operating assets.
• Track developments in energy operations, plant engineering, operations and automation relevant to testing.
• Other duties as assigned.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in chemical, mechanical or electrical engineering, or a closely related field. An advanced degree (MS, MBA or PhD) is preferred.
• At least 8+ years of progressively responsible experience in energy, nuclear, chemical, industrial or other high-hazard or regulated operations, including at least 5 years leading technical or operational teams.
• Deep familiarity with P&IDs, process control systems such as SCADA, instrumentation or comparable industrial control systems.
• Ability to obtain and maintain Plant Manager/SRO certification and applicable emergency-response qualifications.
• Proven record leading or overseeing complex engineering or industrial operations, such as commissioning, startup or continuous operations. Experience leading 24/7 operations is highly desirable.
• Experience in nuclear operations, advanced reactor operations, nuclear commissioning or startup of regulated nuclear facilities is desirable.
• Experience with radiological monitoring, radiological controls and hazardous-material management is desirable.
• Experience supporting NRC licensing, regulatory inspections, audits or other regulatory interfaces is desirable.
• Experience developing or overseeing operator training and qualification programs is desirable.
• Knowledge of commissioning, startup, operational readiness and transition-to-operations processes.
• Knowledge of nuclear safety culture, cautious decision-making, procedure adherence and operating discipline.
• Ability to develop, implement and improve operating procedures, management processes, training programs and qualification frameworks.
• Ability to keep data integrity, system reliability and operating controls sound for test and plant systems.
• Ability to lead multidisciplinary teams in 24/7, high-risk operating environments.
• Strong strategic planning and ability to align organizations.
• Expertise in operational excellence, continuous improvement and system reliability.
• Advanced knowledge of SCADA systems, process controls and P&ID interpretation.
• Skill in identifying risk, mitigating it and making decisions under uncertainty.
• In-depth understanding of EHS standards, job hazard analysis development and regulatory compliance.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills to influence and engage stakeholders at every level.
• Proficient in change management and bringing new technologies into operations.
• Strong project and resource management to oversee infrastructure investment, operating budgets and capital planning.
• Keeps current with advances in energy systems and plant operations.
• Works well in a highly collaborative team.
• Solves problems quickly and efficiently.
• Puts their own safety and the safety of others first.
• Proactively captures, manages and passes on knowledge.
• Looks for new and different ways to create efficiencies when tackling problems and challenges.
• Physical demands: climbing ladders, stairs, scaffolding, ramps, scissor lifts and articulated boom lifts; setting up and moving temporary structures such as scaffolding and ladders; moving through tight and confined spaces; staying in one position for long periods; moving between worksites; lifting, moving, installing or removing objects up to 50 pounds in any direction; operating motor vehicles, heavy equipment or machinery; using hand tools; communicating with others to exchange information; distinguishing and identifying colors.

Conditions

On-site role based in Albuquerque, NM for approximately the first 12 months, then transitioning to Oak Ridge, TN.

Operations run 24/7. Weekend work is occasional, schedule flexibility is frequent, non-standard work-week hours are occasional, and extended hours are occasional to support launch and critical project timelines.

Up to 10% travel may be required.

Work environments include a general office, chemical laboratory, prototyping and testing areas, low and high temperatures, outdoor exposure to precipitation and wind, noisy areas, small and enclosed spaces, chemical odors and fumes, elevated heights, and a high-concentration, fast-paced pace.

Safety duties include following Control of Hazardous Energy and LOTO programs, working safely in nuclear and other high-hazard areas, reading hazard warning signs, reporting equipment issues or unsafe conditions, and wearing PPE such as face masks, face shields, gloves, safety footwear and other protective equipment suited to the work.

Handling of beryllium, nuclear materials and other unique hazards, including manipulating, cleaning and disposing of hazardous materials, is part of the work.

The facility handles information restricted for export control by the Department of Energy under 10 CFR Part 810. You must be authorized by the Department of Energy to access Part 810-controlled information to work in this facility. Foreign nationals who are citizens of countries not on the Department of Energy's general authorization list are not permitted to work in the facility unless the Department of Energy issues the company an export control license allowing that individual access to Part 810-controlled information.

Benefits

• Competitive compensation packages.
• Medical, dental and vision benefits for employees and their dependents.
• Paid vacation.
• Full-time employees (not interns) have access to a 401(k), plus pre-tax health insurance, dependent care and commuter benefits through an FSA.