Facility & Commissioning Manager – US

Blykalla•Texas, TX

4h•$180,000 - $230,000•Hybrid

About The Position

Blykalla is seeking an experienced Facility & Commissioning Manager to oversee the turnover, commissioning, and initial operation of its first US reactor facility. This role is critical for bringing the reactor to first criticality in 2027. The successful candidate will be the single accountable owner for the facility from turnover through commissioning and operation, responsible for establishing operating procedures, qualifying operators, and ensuring safe operations. This position offers a unique opportunity to be a foundational member of a first-of-a-kind nuclear project, influencing design decisions and building the site organization from the ground up. The role reports directly to the Head of US Project Development and works closely with Blykalla’s Head of Testing & Commissioning in Sweden.

Requirements

Significant experience operating, commissioning, or standing up a nuclear facility (research reactor, critical or zero-power assembly, or a DOE/NRC nuclear facility).
Hands-on conduct-of-operations and commissioning experience, including startup testing and approach to criticality, or directly comparable nuclear operations experience.
A good working understanding of a quality/integrated management system (QMS/IMS) and how to build systems and processes within that framework (NQA-1 ideally, ISO 9001 and ISO 14001 as a minimum).
Comfort holding and exercising a Stop-Work Authority, and being personally accountable for the safe operation of a facility.
Experience with operator training and qualification (systematic approach to training).
Bachelor's or Master's degree in engineering, nuclear, or a related discipline.
Strong written communication skills; comfortable drafting operating procedures, programme documents, and regulator- and partner-facing material.
Ability to operate effectively in a founder-stage environment where the operating organization is being built, not inherited.
US work authorization.

Nice To Haves

A current or former Senior Reactor Operator (SRO) or Reactor Operator (RO) licence, or equivalent operating authorisation.
Experience with the DOE Authorization process, 10 CFR Part 830 Subpart A, DOE O 414.1D, and operational readiness reviews.
Experience taking a facility through construction turnover — system turnover packages, walkdowns, punch lists, and acceptance from an EPC or general contractor.
Experience with advanced reactor, fast-spectrum, lead-cooled, first-of-a-kind, or demonstration programs.
Prior engagement with DOE laboratories or the broader US advanced nuclear ecosystem.
Working literacy in radiation protection, health physics, and nuclear criticality safety sufficient to interface effectively with the independent RSO function.
Experience standing up an operating or commissioning organisation from scratch on a greenfield site.

Responsibilities

Hold delegated responsibility for commissioning and operation of the facility, including nuclear operations, and carry a named Stop-Work Authority.
Own the turnover of the facility from the general contractor to operations, including setting requirements for system turnover packages and accepting systems through structured walkdowns and as-built verification.
Establish and own the conduct of operations, including operating procedures, operating discipline, shift routines, and configuration-aware practices.
Design and run the operator training and qualification program using a systematic approach to training (SAT), and staff certified reactor operators and shift operations.
Plan and lead commissioning and the approach to criticality, including pre-operational and startup test programs, and chair the Joint Test Group (JTG).
Establish and run maintenance, work control, and facility management for the operating facility, including fuel receipt, storage, and loading.
Build and lead the site organization, own operational interfaces with nuclear safety & licensing, QA/HSEQ, the Design Authority, and construction, and own facility security and access.
Bring the operating perspective into design reviews before design freeze.