Program Manager, Special Projects

BWXT • Jonesborough, TN

3d • $131,480 - $207,000 • Onsite

About The Position

The Program Manager, Special Projects leads high-priority, complex, or non-routine initiatives within BWXT NOG-J. Reporting to the Director, Programs, the role provides focused leadership for efforts requiring accelerated execution, cross-functional coordination, elevated management attention, or enterprise-level approaches outside established program structures. This position may manage multiple diverse assignments, including new product introduction, distressed project recovery, customer initiatives, capability improvements, major technical issue resolution, transitions, proposal handoffs, and special studies. Serving as a senior integrator, the role brings clarity to ambiguous situations, structures work, aligns stakeholders, and drives execution. It requires strong program management fundamentals, broad judgment, technical curiosity, disciplined execution, and executive-level communication.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Business, Program/Project Management, Operations, or a related discipline from an accredited institution.
• Significant progressive experience managing complex technical, engineering, manufacturing, government, or strategic business initiatives.
• Demonstrated experience leading cross-functional teams in a matrixed organization.
• Demonstrated success operating in ambiguous environments and converting incomplete or evolving objectives into structured execution plans.
• Strong knowledge of program and project management principles, including scope, schedule, cost, risk, change, stakeholder, and resource management.
• Experience developing integrated schedules, milestones, recovery plans, and executive-level project reporting.
• Experience with financial management, budgeting, forecasting, cost analysis, or business-case development.
• Demonstrated ability to identify emerging problems, determine root causes, and drive cross-functional corrective action.
• Strong written, verbal, facilitation, and executive-presentation skills.
• Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively with technical personnel, operations personnel, executives, customers, and external stakeholders.
• Strong analytical, organizational, negotiation, and structured problem-solving capabilities.
• Demonstrated ability to make timely, risk-informed decisions with incomplete information.
• Ability to manage multiple competing priorities and move effectively between strategic and detailed execution topics.
• Ability to meet applicable BWXT employment, security, access, and regulatory requirements associated with the position.
• Must be a U.S. citizen.
• Must be able to obtain and maintain a Department of Energy (D.O.E.) security clearance.

Nice To Haves

• Bachelor's or advanced degree in an engineering discipline.
• Master's degree in Engineering, Business Administration, Program Management, Operations, or a related field.
• Project Management Professional (PMP) certification or comparable program management credential.
• Experience managing programs or projects within the nuclear, defense, Department of Energy, Department of Defense, aerospace, or other highly regulated industries.
• Experience with nuclear component manufacturing, complex engineered products, or high-consequence production environments.
• Experience leading distressed-project recovery, turnaround, or rapid-response initiatives.
• Experience with new product introduction, program startup, manufacturing readiness, or transition from development to production.
• Experience with Earned Value Management Systems, integrated master scheduling, critical-path analysis, and estimate-at-completion development.
• Experience managing major government contracts, proposals, scope changes, negotiations, or customer commitments.
• Experience with supplier recovery, capital projects, facilities integration, or site capability development.
• Experience preparing decision packages or strategic recommendations for senior executives.
• Previous experience leading multiple project managers or major cross-functional workstreams.

Responsibilities

• Leads special projects from initiation through execution, stabilization, and transition.
• Clarifies objectives, scope, constraints, stakeholders, risks, and required outcomes.
• Performs rapid assessments to define current condition, priorities, gaps, and needed decisions.
• Converts executive direction into structured plans with clear ownership and governance.
• Builds integrated schedules, decomposes scope, aligns cross-functional deliverables, and manages critical path.
• Leads recovery of distressed projects, establishing root causes, recovery plans, and short-interval controls.
• Supports introduction of new programs, products, and customer requirements into execution systems.
• Provides strategic analysis and decision support with clear alternatives, impacts, and recommendations.
• Manages cost, schedule, and financial performance, ensuring accurate forecasts and early exposure identification.
• Integrates technical decisions, engineering needs, and cross-functional evaluations into project plans.
• Coordinates with Operations, Manufacturing, and Supply Chain to ensure readiness and remove constraints.
• Maintains disciplined risk, issue, and decision management, escalating matters with actionable options.
• Controls scope and change management, preventing informal growth and embedding approved changes.
• Aligns cross-functional resources, resolves conflicts, and drives action through influence.
• Provides clear executive reporting, stakeholder communication, and defined transition/closeout criteria.
• Makes timely, well-supported decisions within delegated authority and identifies when executive escalation is required.
• Coaches and mentors project personnel, reinforcing disciplined program-management practices and developing future leadership capability.

Benefits

• Competitive salary and benefits package, including health, dental, and retirement plans.
• Flexible work schedules and paid time off to promote a healthy work-life balance.
• Professional development opportunities, including mentorship programs and sponsorship for continuing education.
• An inclusive atmosphere that celebrates new perspectives and supports collaboration between different generations.
• The chance to be part of a mission-driven organization making a positive impact on the future of energy.
• Opportunities for continuous learning and training to grow throughout your career!

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior