Procurement Contracts Manager (EPC Projects)

The Nuclear Company•Columbia, SC

4d•$118,000 - $140,000

About The Position

The Nuclear Company is the fastest growing AI tech-enabled startup in the nuclear and energy space, pioneering a fleet-scale approach to building the next generation of nuclear reactors. Through our design-once, build-many model, we're accelerating the deployment of safe, reliable, and affordable nuclear energy. We operate with an AI-first mindset. Every employee is expected to leverage AI, technology, and the Nuclear Operating System (NOS) as integral components of their role to improve the quality, speed, and impact of their work. We expect every team member to continuously identify opportunities to automate workflows, enhance decision-making, improve processes, and contribute to the ongoing evolution of NOS as a strategic operating capability that enables The Nuclear Company to scale with excellence. We hire people who are driven by purpose, thrive in ambiguity, and are energized by building what has never been built before. Our team combines intellectual curiosity with high agency, embraces candid feedback and continuous learning, and holds themselves and others to exceptional standards. Our values—Transparency, Responsibility, Unity, Scrappy, and Tenacity—guide how we hire, collaborate, and make decisions every day. They are not words on a wall; they are the standard by which we operate. TRUST is the foundation of our safety culture, fostering intellectual honesty, accountability, and open communication, while our values challenge every team member to execute with urgency, humility, resilience, and an unwavering commitment to our mission. About the role The Procurement Contracts Manager (EPC Projects) is responsible for leading the formation and negotiation of complex procurement contracts that support the development, design, construction, and deployment of next-generation nuclear infrastructure. This role ensures contracts are commercially sound, legally compliant, and aligned with technical and schedule requirements. Working closely with legal, engineering, project, and contract administration teams, you will oversee critical vendor agreements, from services to long-lead equipment purchases to construction contracts, ensuring risk is managed and performance is enforced throughout the project lifecycle.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Business, Engineering, Construction Management, or a related field, or an equivalent combination of education and relevant professional experience.
7-10+ years of experience in procurement contracts, commercial management, or supply chain roles within capital-intensive or highly regulated industries
Demonstrated experience supporting Engineering, Procurement, and Construction (EPC) projects, including drafting and negotiating EPC contracts across the full project lifecycle
Proven track record of leading complex contract negotiations, including fixed-price, time-and-materials, and EPC agreements
Familiarity with U.S. federal acquisition regulations, DOE funding agreements, or similar public-sector contracting frameworks
Deep understanding of contract risk management, change order procedures, and claims/disputes resolution

Nice To Haves

Prior experience in nuclear, energy, infrastructure, aerospace, or defense sectors
Knowledge of industry standards (e.g., FAR/DFARS, NQA-1, ASME, ITAR)
Experience with ERP or contract lifecycle management systems (e.g., SAP, Icertis, Oracle, NetSuite)
JD or advanced degree in law, business, or supply chain is a plus

Responsibilities

Lead the development of procurement contract strategies and templates for major equipment, materials, and services.
Own the negotiation of terms and conditions, pricing structures, risk allocation, and change management protocols in alignment with company objectives.
Oversee contract formation and execution, partnering with Contract Administration on compliance and close-out, in coordination with project controls, legal, and supply chain stakeholders.
Work closely with Contract Administration to deliver a smooth handoff of executed contracts and provide commercial support on change orders, claims, and dispute resolution, partnering with project controls and legal to protect schedule and cost outcomes.
Serve as a key interface between engineering, legal, finance, and project management teams to ensure contracts reflect technical requirements and project realities.
Embed quality, export control, and counterfeit-parts prevention requirements into contract terms and supplier qualification, coordinating with Quality Assurance on NQA-1 supplier status, flow-down of 10 CFR Part 21 reporting obligations, and ITAR/EAR controls.
Ensure all contract activities meet applicable legal, regulatory, and internal compliance standards (e.g., NQA-1, DOE funding requirements), and improve standardization of procurement processes.