Senior Manager, Engineering Operations

Kairos Power•Albuquerque, NM

2d•Onsite

About The Position

Kairos Power is seeking a dynamic, experienced Senior Manager, Engineering Operations to lead and scale engineering operations and test execution capabilities in a 24/7 environment. This senior leadership role directs multidisciplinary engineering support teams, operators, and technical staff who execute high-temperature testing campaigns and commission complex experimental systems. The role is expected to expand to include activation and operations of Kairos Power’s operational nuclear reactors. The Senior Manager provides strategic oversight of operations management, systems integration, process development, training, and safety compliance. The position helps shape the design, operation, and evolution of experimental and operational facilities in support of deploying advanced energy technologies. The role is based in Albuquerque, New Mexico, for approximately the first 12 months, and then transitions to Oak Ridge, Tennessee. The position oversees operational readiness, commissioning, test campaigns, operating programs, procedures, work controls, training and qualification, staffing, equipment readiness, and emergency preparedness. It also ensures operational and test systems are reliable and their data is accurate, leads safety and regulatory compliance efforts, manages operational risks and incidents, and contributes to infrastructure investment and capital planning. The role collaborates across Engineering, EHS, R&D, Operations, Quality, and other functions, and represents engineering operations in leadership and governance forums.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Chemical, Mechanical, or Electrical Engineering, or a closely related field.
At least 8 years of progressively responsible experience in energy, nuclear, chemical, industrial, or other high-hazard or regulated operations.
At least 5 years of leadership experience managing technical or operational teams.
Extensive experience and deep familiarity with P&IDs, process control systems such as SCADA, instrumentation, or comparable industrial control systems.
Ability to obtain and maintain Plant Manager/SRO certification and applicable emergency-response qualifications.
Demonstrated experience leading or overseeing complex engineering or industrial operations, including commissioning, startup, continuous operations, or similar operational activities.
Knowledge of commissioning, startup, operational readiness, and transition-to-operations processes.
Knowledge of nuclear safety culture principles, conservative decision-making, procedural adherence, and operational discipline.
Ability to develop, implement, and improve operating procedures, management processes, training programs, and qualification frameworks.
Ability to establish and maintain data integrity, system reliability, and appropriate operational controls for test and plant systems.
Ability to lead multidisciplinary teams in 24/7, high-risk operational environments.
Strong strategic planning and organizational alignment capabilities.
Expertise in operational excellence, continuous improvement, and system reliability.
Advanced knowledge of SCADA systems, process controls, and P&ID interpretation.
Skill in identifying and mitigating risks and making decisions under uncertainty.
In-depth understanding of EHS standards, Job Hazard Analysis development, and regulatory compliance.
Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, including the ability to influence and engage stakeholders at all organizational levels.
Proficiency in change management and integrating new technologies into operations.
Strong project and resource management skills for infrastructure investments, operational budgets, and capital planning.
Ability to stay current with advancements in energy systems and plant operations.
Ability to work collaboratively, solve problems quickly and efficiently, prioritize personal and workplace safety, proactively collect and transfer knowledge, and seek novel ways to improve efficiency.
Ability to perform the physical and environmental demands described in the posting, including working in laboratories, testing environments, high-risk settings, confined spaces, and at elevated heights; handling objects up to 50 pounds; and wearing appropriate PPE.
Ability to comply with Control of Hazardous Energy and LOTO programs, follow applicable procedures, recognize hazardous warning signs and unsafe conditions, and handle hazardous materials including beryllium and nuclear materials.
Some travel may be required, up to 10%.
Occasional weekend work, occasional non-standard work-week hours, frequent schedule flexibility, and occasional extended hours to support launch and critical project timelines.
Authorization by the Department of Energy to access Part 810-controlled information is required to work at the facility; export-control licensing restrictions may apply.

Nice To Haves

Advanced degree (MS, MBA, or PhD).
Experience leading or overseeing 24/7 operations.
Experience in nuclear operations, advanced reactor operations, nuclear commissioning, or startup of regulated nuclear facilities.
Experience with radiological monitoring, radiological controls, and hazardous-material management.
Experience supporting NRC licensing activities, regulatory inspections, audits, or other regulatory interfaces.
Experience developing or overseeing operator training and qualification programs.

Responsibilities

Provide vision and direction for 24/7 engineering operations aligned with company objectives and milestones.
Develop and execute long-term plans to expand operational capabilities, streamline execution, and improve reliability across test platforms.
Establish operational standards and practices that promote continuous improvement, safety, technical rigor, and operational excellence.
Identify, evaluate, and mitigate operational, technical, regulatory, safety, and organizational risks.
Lead managers, operators, and engineers; develop leaders and organizational capability through employee development, succession planning, performance management, and recognition.
Provide senior oversight of test campaign planning, readiness reviews, execution protocols, and post-test analysis.
Establish and maintain a strong nuclear safety culture, conservative decision-making, procedural compliance, and operational excellence.
Lead the development, implementation, and improvement of site operating programs, procedures, work controls, and management processes.
Ensure facilities are staffed, trained, qualified, and prepared for commissioning, initial criticality, startup, and sustained operations.
Oversee organizational, procedure, training, staffing, equipment, and emergency-preparedness readiness activities.
Develop and implement a progressive program to safely, effectively, and compliantly staff and operate next-generation Small Modular Reactors.
Collaborate with Engineering, EHS, R&D, Operations, Quality, and other teams to establish and refine test procedures and operating envelopes.
Ensure the integrity and reliability of operational and test systems, including SCADA, instrumentation, and data acquisition systems.
Establish and refine standard operating procedures and shift-operations frameworks across testing and operational facilities.
Implement reliability-centered maintenance and root cause analysis methodologies for recurring issues.
Oversee system upgrades, change control, and integration of new technologies or designs into operations.
Ensure operations comply with EHS and Nuclear Regulatory Commission policies and licenses.
Work with EHS to develop and approve Job Hazard Analyses, permitting procedures, Risk Management Plans, and emergency response plans.
Serve as an escalation point for safety and operational incidents and ensure robust corrective actions are implemented.
Communicate operational readiness, risk posture, and strategic recommendations to senior leaders, program managers, and technical directors.
Represent engineering operations in cross-organizational working groups and governance forums.
Support regulatory and audit preparation activities as required by industry standards or internal review bodies.
Oversee commissioning and transition to operations for new operational and experimental facilities.
Lead cost-efficiency and capital-planning efforts for infrastructure and operational assets.
Stay current with advancements in energy operations, plant engineering and operations, and automation relevant to testing environments.
Perform additional duties as required.