Senior Manager, Nuclear Operations & Strategic Projects

Senior Manager, Nuclear Plant Operations & Technical Services

Department: Engineering & Technical Operations

Reports To: Director, Nuclear Technology & Engineering

Location: Dallas, Texas (with travel to Oak Ridge, TN and other project sites)

Employment Type: Full-Time, Exempt

Security Clearance: Active or reinstatable Secret clearance preferred; must be eligible for DOE Q clearance

Compensation
$130,000 – $180,000 base
15–25% performance bonus
Equity participation

Company Overview

Our client is a U.S.-based energy infrastructure company developing next-generation solutions at the intersection of advanced nuclear technology and critical compute infrastructure. The company is focused on delivering reliable, carbon-free baseload power to support the rapid growth of artificial intelligence, high-performance computing, and other mission-critical systems.

In close partnership with the U.S. Department of Energy, the team is executing a first-of-kind deployment that leverages proven naval reactor technology for civilian energy production. The project is designed to deliver nearly 500 MWe of firm, dispatchable power on an accelerated timeline, significantly faster than traditional nuclear development efforts.

Backed by institutional investors, the company is building a world-class team to execute this landmark project and establish a scalable model for future deployments across the United States. This is a rare opportunity to join an early-stage, mission-driven organization working on nationally significant infrastructure with long-term growth, real ownership, and direct impact.

Position Summary

The Senior Manager is the "operational backbone" of the organization—a senior technical professional who ensures strategic vision translates into executed work. This is not a "wrench-turner" role; it is a high-altitude project leadership position for someone who can "read the oscilloscope" but remains focused on "the chessboard".

The ideal candidate is a Navy nuclear veteran (often with an MBA) who possesses the engineering experience to oversee complex projects and the business savvy to manage multimillion-dollar EPC (Engineering, Procurement, and Construction) contracts. You will serve as the Director’s right hand, overseeing engineering firms and ensuring project milestones are met without unnecessary scope creep.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Project Management & Execution

• Translate Strategy into Action: Serve as the primary execution lead, turning strategic direction from the Director and President into actionable work plans.
• Integrated Scheduling: Develop and maintain integrated project schedules for engineering, procurement, and construction activities.
• The "Chessboard" Oversight: Navigate the complex technical and regulatory landscape of the DOE and defense industry without losing sight of the broader business goals.
• Configuration Management: Manage the engineering document control system and maintain configuration management for all technical activities.

EPC & Vendor Oversight

• Contractor Liaison: Serve as the primary day-to-day technical point of contact with EPC contractors, architect-engineers, and equipment vendors.
• Cost & Scope Control: Lead oversight of EPC contractors to prevent excessive change orders and ensure technical submittals are accurate, complete, and aligned with project timelines.
• Testing Coordination: Coordinate Factory Acceptance Testing (FAT) and Site Acceptance Testing (SAT) for major plant equipment.

Business Savvy & Site Leadership

• Financial Integration: Support budget preparation, P&L management, and KPI formulation to ensure technical milestones align with institutional capital requirements.
• Field Representation: Serve as the on-site technical representative at the Oak Ridge site; candidates must have the "steel-toe boots" experience to walk the floor and lead in the field.
• Stakeholder Briefing: Prepare technical materials for briefings with the DOE, investors, and government officials.

Required Qualifications

• Navy Nuclear Foundation: Minimum 8 years of experience in naval nuclear propulsion or commercial nuclear power. Must understand the "how" of nuclear operations to effectively lead third-party engineering teams.
• Rank/Experience: Preferred background as a Navy Nuclear Chief Petty Officer (E-7 to E-9) or a Junior Officer (LDO/CWO) with Department Head or Engineering Watch Supervisor (EWS) qualifications.
• Business Education: MBA strongly preferred, or equivalent experience in energy consulting, FP&A, or energy asset management.
• Culture Fit: A trustworthy, high-integrity individual who fits into a fluid, fast-moving startup environment where "the sand fills the buckets" daily.
• Clearance: Active or reinstatable Secret clearance preferred; must be eligible for DOE Q clearance.