Performance Improvement Administrator

The TerraPower Isotopes® (TPI™) division has been established to pursue medical isotopes development--advancing nuclear science for significant human health benefits. We seek to support revolutionary radiotherapies for treatments of various cancers through the supply of radioisotopes. TerraPower currently has unique access to a supply of thorium for the long-term production of actinium-225 in the growing alpha therapy market and intends to expand into other nuclear related medical treatments.

The TerraPower Isotopes program is an integral part of the Washington State based TerraPower team, a company working to raise living standards globally. In 2006, the company originated with Bill Gates and a group of like-minded visionaries who evaluated the fundamental challenges to raising living standards around the world. TerraPower’s mission is to be a world leader in new nuclear technologies, while developing innovators and future leaders in the nuclear field.

TPI is seeking to hire highly motivated and forward-thinking professionals who are interested in focusing on advanced radiopharmaceutical applications and influencing change within nuclear medicine. TerraPower is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We do not discriminate in hiring on the basis of sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, race, color, religious creed, national origin, physical or mental disability, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law. 

Performance Improvement Administrator

The Performance Improvement Administrator reports to the Operations Program Manager and is responsible for administering and advancing performance-improvement activities across TPI Operations. The position leads significant investigations and causal analyses, coordinates corrective actions and operational changes, manages issue and lessons-learned processes, and conducts audits and surveillances to strengthen performance and prevent recurrence.

The Performance Improvement Administrator works with Operations management, Quality, Engineering, R&D, and other technical organizations to evaluate events, adverse conditions, trends, and improvement opportunities. The position supports applicable cGMP quality and change processes and administers a structured performance-improvement framework for non-GMP Operations work using methods proportionate to significance and risk.

This position operates in a dynamic, interdisciplinary, and highly technical environment in which sound judgment, analytical rigor, effective communication, influence without direct authority, and the ability to constructively challenge existing practices are required.

Responsibilities:

Investigations and Corrective Actions

• Lead significant Operations investigations, post-event critiques, after-action reviews, and root cause analyses; establish the appropriate scope and provide guidance for lower-level reviews.
• Collect and evaluate evidence, records, interviews, and timelines to establish facts, identify causal factors, and assess the extent of identified conditions.
• Prepare clear and defensible investigation reports and facilitate corrective and preventive actions that address identified causes and are practical to implement.
• Review causal analyses and corrective actions for adequacy, track implementation and effectiveness, and elevate overdue or ineffective actions.

Change and Issue Management

• Coordinate the Operations change-control process from initiation through closure, including scope definition, stakeholder coordination, impact evaluation, implementation planning, and action tracking.
• Administer the Operations issue log, including intake, screening, classification, assignment, status tracking, closure verification, and reporting.
• Recommend responses to operational issues based on significance and risk, maintain visibility of open items, and elevate emerging concerns to responsible managers.

Audits, Surveillances, and Operating Discipline

• Develop and administer an Operations audit and surveillance program addressing procedural compliance, work practices, training and qualification, equipment status, documentation, housekeeping, 5S, and other operational controls.
• Conduct or coordinate audits, surveillances, field observations, and management assessments; document results; and track required follow-up.
• Promote procedural compliance, effective pre-job briefs and post-job reviews, formality of operations, and consistent standards during production activities, and communicate declining performance or recurring weaknesses to Operations management.

Trending, Lessons Learned, and Program Improvement

• Analyze events, issues, findings, corrective actions, and other performance information to identify recurring causes, adverse trends, and emerging risks, and prepare routine reports for Operations management.
• Maintain internal and external lessons learned, evaluate applicability to TPI Operations, and coordinate incorporation into procedures, training, pre-evolution briefs, and other work controls.
• Lead or support structured improvement initiatives and coach Operations personnel and managers in investigation, causal analysis, corrective-action development, operating discipline, and performance-improvement methods.

Key Qualifications & Skills:

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering, science, quality, business, operations, or a related field, or equivalent relevant experience.
• Five or more years of relevant experience in operations, quality, engineering, investigations, performance improvement, regulated manufacturing, military operations, or a related function.
• Experience in a regulated, quality-controlled, or similarly structured environment is preferred. Nuclear, pharmaceutical, radiopharmaceutical, or cGMP experience is a plus.
• Demonstrated ability to lead event investigations, post-event critiques, causal analyses, and corrective-action development.
• Formal training or certification in root cause analysis, event investigation, Lean Six Sigma, or a comparable performance-improvement methodology is preferred. Experience implementing 5S or similar workplace-organization practices is a plus.
• Strong analytical skills with the ability to establish facts, identify causal factors, evaluate the extent and significance of issues, recognize adverse trends, and develop practical recommendations.
• Strong technical writing skills with demonstrated ability to prepare clear, objective, and defensible investigation reports, assessments, corrective-action documentation, and management presentations.
• Experience administering structured performance-improvement processes, including change control, issue management, audits and surveillances, corrective actions, or lessons learned.
• Strong facilitation and interpersonal skills with the ability to lead difficult discussions, constructively challenge assumptions, coach personnel and managers, and influence without direct authority.
• Strong organizational skills with demonstrated ability to manage multiple investigations and actions through completion, work independently, exercise sound judgment, and appropriately handle sensitive information.
• Proficient with Microsoft Office and SharePoint. Experience with Jira, quality-management systems, or reporting tools is preferred.
• Military nuclear, maintenance, training, quality, or operational experience is a plus.
• The successful candidate will possess a high degree of trust and integrity, communicate openly, display respect, and foster teamwork.
• Actual position starting level and title will be determined based on assessment of qualifications.

Job Functions:

Job Functions are physical actions and/or working conditions associated with the position. These functions may also constitute essential functions for the job which the employee must be able to fulfill, with or without accommodation.  Information provided below is to help describe the job so that the applicant has a reasonable understanding of the job duties/expectations.  An applicant's ability to perform and/or tolerate these actions and conditions will be discussed and workplace accommodations may be made on a case-by-case basis following an individualized assessment of the applicant and other considerations, including but not limited to any governing safety standards.

• Motor Abilities: Sitting for extended periods, bending/stooping, grasping/gripping, fine motor control (hands)
• Physical exertion and/or requirements: Minimal, with ability to safely lift up to 25 pounds.
• Repetitive work: Prolonged
• Special Senses: Visual and audio focused work
• Work Conditions: Stairs, typing/keyboard, standard and/or sitting working environment of >8 hours/day
• Travel: Less than 5%

TerraPower Isotopes' technology is controlled for export by various agencies of the U.S. Government.  TerraPower Isotopes must evaluate applicants who are foreign nationals (other than asylees, refugees, or lawful permanent residents) in accordance with U.S. Government export control requirements.  To facilitate TerraPower's export control reviews, you will be asked as part of the application process to identify whether you are a U.S. Citizen or national, asylee, refugee, or lawful permanent resident of the United States.  Government export authorization approval times vary.  Based on the business needs for a particular position, TerraPower Isotopes may not consider a foreign national from a country if it is impracticable to obtain timely Government export approval.

Job details

Salary Range: $116,852 - $151,757

*Any salary offered within the posted salary band is based on market data and commensurate with the selected individual’s qualifications experience.  This range is specific to Washington State.

Benefits:

• Competitive Compensation
• Salary, eligible to participate in discretionary short-term incentive payments
• Comprehensive Medical and Wellness Benefits
  •   Medical
  •   Vision
  • Dental
  • Life and Disability
  • Gender Affirmation Benefits
• Parental Leave
• 401k Plan
• Generous Paid Time Off (PTO)
  • 21 days of annually accrued PTO
• Generous Holiday Schedule
  • 10 paid holidays
• Relocation Assistance
• Professional and Educational Support Opportunities

TerraPower Career and Benefits information: https://www.terrapower.com/careers/