Program Manager, Microreactors

Idaho National Laboratory•Idaho Falls, ID

18d•Onsite

About The Position

Idaho National Laboratory seeks a Program Manager, Microreactors to spearhead high-impact, strategic programs that will own full end-to-end accountability for at least one test or prototype reactor programs, from concept through hardware delivery and test completion. Serves as the single point of accountability for scope, schedule, budget, technical risk, and stakeholder alignment. Acts as the primary interface between engineering, manufacturing, quality, safety, regulatory, and executive leadership to ensure the program meets its technical objectives on time and on budget.

Requirements

Level 4: Bachelor's degree in nuclear, mechanical, or electrical engineering (or related technical field) and nine (9) years of relevant experience; or a Master's degree in nuclear, mechanical, or electrical engineering (or related technical field) and six (6) years of relevant experience; or a PhD in nuclear, mechanical, or electrical engineering (or related technical field) and four (4) years of relevant experience.
Level 5: Bachelor's degree in nuclear, mechanical, or electrical engineering (or related technical field) and fourteen (14) years of relevant experience; or a Master's degree in nuclear, mechanical, or electrical engineering (or related technical field) and eight (8) years of relevant experience; or a PhD in nuclear, mechanical, or electrical engineering (or related technical field) and six (6) years of relevant experience.
Direct experience on reactor, nuclear, or other highly regulated first-of-a-kind hardware programs.
Demonstrated ownership of program budget (typically $10M+) and integrated schedules.
Strong understanding of hardware development lifecycle: design, procurement, fabrication, integration, test.
Experience with earned value management (EVM) or equivalent cost/schedule control methods.
Excellent communication skills; comfortable briefing executives and regulators.
Able to obtain and maintain a “Q” and SCI level security clearance, which requires U.S. citizenship.

Nice To Haves

Advanced degree in nuclear, mechanical, or electrical engineering (or related technical field).
Direct experience with test or prototype reactor programs (research reactors, Department of War, microreactors, NASA, or DOE prototype programs).
Familiarity with nuclear QA programs (NQA-1), DOE order compliance, or NRC licensing processes.
Experience managing subcontractors/fabrication vendors for large, custom hardware.

Responsibilities

Proactively managing and executing sets of projects into programs on schedule and within budgets
Directing or supporting engineering projects related to upgrading facilities and constructing new facilities
Aiding in developing research and engineering teams to help partners meet goals
Interfacing with partners including DOE and DOD to coordinate among laboratory operations
Preparing progress and special reports to customers and management
Ensuring laboratory requirements and standards are met
Maintaining customer contact and work relationships
Identifying new opportunities and supporting growth
Developing teams to successfully complete projects
Program Ownership: Hold total accountability for program outcomes: technical performance, schedule, cost, and safety.
Define and maintain the integrated master schedule (IMS) and work breakdown structure (WBS).
Work with project manager to establish and manage program budget, including forecasting, variance analysis, and reporting to leadership.
Buy down risk by investing in technology development programs
Schedule & Milestones: Set and track major milestones (design reviews, long-lead procurement, fabrication, integration, test readiness, criticality/operation, decommissioning as applicable).
Identify and manage the critical path; proactively resolve schedule risks and slippage.
Run recurring program reviews (weekly tag-ups, monthly management reviews, milestone gate reviews).
Budget & Resourcing: In coordination with the project manager, develop and own the program cost baseline; manage earned value or equivalent cost/schedule performance tracking.
Allocate and adjust staffing, capital, and vendor spend across the program lifecycle.
Manage contingency/reserve and escalate funding risks early.
Hardware Delivery: Oversee procurement, fabrication, and delivery of reactor components/subsystems (e.g., core internals, vessel, instrumentation, control systems, shielding, fuel or fuel-surrogate hardware).
Manage supplier and fabrication-partner performance, including long-lead items and qualification testing.
Coordinate integration, installation, and commissioning activities at the test site.
Technical & Risk Management: Partner with engineering leads to ensure design maturity supports schedule commitments.
Maintain a program risk register; drive mitigation plans for technical, schedule, cost, safety, and regulatory risks.
Ensure configuration management and change control discipline across design, procurement, and test baselines.
Safety, Quality & Regulatory: Ensure program activities comply with applicable nuclear safety, quality assurance, and regulatory requirements.
Support licensing, safety case, and test readiness review documentation and boards.
Stakeholder & Team Leadership: Lead a cross-functional team (engineering, manufacturing, quality, safety, licensing, test operations).
Communicate program status, risks, and decisions to executive leadership, customers, and/or funding agencies (e.g., DOE, private investors).
Represent the program in external reviews, audits, and customer/sponsor meetings.