Senior Manager, Operational Readiness

X-energy•Oak Ridge, TN

1d•$170,000 - $223,125•Onsite

About The Position

The TRISO-X Senior Readiness Manager leads the operational readiness program which ensures that systems, personnel, procedures, and documentation are fully prepared and verified before the start of new operations, process turnovers, and phased transitions to continuous production. Acting as the central authority on readiness, this position drives the structured review and demonstration that equipment, staffing, training, procedures, safety controls, and regulatory commitments are in place and effective prior to authorization to operate. This position will lead a team of both direct‑hire employees and subcontracted personnel. The Senior Readiness Manager is responsible for directing, developing, and overseeing this combined workforce, and is accountable for its performance, assignments, and integration into the facility readiness mission as the organization grows.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in engineering or a related science or technical field.
Minimum of 10 years of professional experience in nuclear operations, startup/commissioning, operational readiness, or a closely related function within a regulated nuclear, chemical, or manufacturing environment.
Demonstrated experience leading or supervising teams, including direct reports and/or contracted personnel.
Demonstrated experience leading or supporting operational readiness reviews, startup reviews, or management/operational readiness assessments.
Strong working knowledge of nuclear safety, quality systems, procedural compliance, and regulatory requirements (e.g., NRC).
Demonstrated ability to lead multidisciplinary teams and drive findings and corrective actions to closure.
Ability to make sound, conservative decisions and manage multiple competing priorities simultaneously.
Ability to work an on‑site, 5‑day‑per‑week schedule in Oak Ridge, TN with periods of significant overtime.
Strong communication skills and the ability to collaborate across operations, maintenance, engineering, quality, and regulatory organizations.

Nice To Haves

Advanced degree in engineering, a physical science, or a related field.
Fifteen or more years of experience with at least ten years in nuclear operations, startup, or readiness roles.
Direct experience within nuclear fuel cycle operations, nuclear manufacturing, or TRISO fuel production.
Experience applying formal readiness frameworks (e.g., DOE/NRC operational readiness review or management self‑assessment methodologies).
Prior leadership or supervisory experience managing both direct‑hire and subcontracted staff.
Experience with regulatory compliance and direct interface with stakeholders (customers and regulators)
Experience implementing Conduct of Operations and reinforcing a Nuclear Safety Culture

Responsibilities

Own and lead the facility operational readiness program, including the development, implementation, and continuous improvement of readiness review methodologies, criteria, and checklists.
Lead, supervise, and develop a combined team of direct‑hire employees, subcontracted, and matrixed personnel; assign work, set priorities, manage performance, and integrate the team into the facility readiness mission.
Provide oversight and direction of subcontracted personnel to ensure their work aligns with facility requirements, quality standards, and readiness objectives.
Plan, schedule, and execute readiness reviews and readiness assessments for new systems, process areas, and operational phases prior to authorization to operate.
Define and track objective readiness criteria (core requirements) covering equipment, procedures, training and qualification, staffing, spare parts, safety controls, and regulatory prerequisites.
Verify that facility, process, and safety equipment have completed required commissioning, testing, and turnover before being placed in service.
Confirm that operators, maintenance, and support personnel are trained, qualified, and adequately staffed to support the activity being assessed for readiness.
Verify that all required Operations procedures — standard operating, abnormal, alarm response, and emergency response — are approved, validated, and in place prior to start of operations.
Lead readiness review boards and coordinate independent verification, documenting findings, open items, and pre‑start and post‑start corrective actions.
Track readiness findings and open items to closure, escalating unresolved or high‑risk items to facility and executive leadership as needed.
Ensure readiness activities satisfy NRC license conditions and applicable regulatory commitments.
Coordinate closely with operations, maintenance, engineering, quality, and regulatory teams to integrate readiness across all disciplines.
As requested, support and lead safety walkdowns, management observations, and pre‑operational field verifications.
Serve as subject matter expert for readiness during audits, assessments, and inspections by internal auditing programs and external regulatory agencies.
Develop and deliver readiness training and mentoring for review team members and line personnel.
Establish and report readiness metrics, status, and risks to facility leadership, supporting schedule and milestone attainment.
Champion a strong nuclear safety culture, reinforcing conservative decision‑making, procedural compliance, and stop‑work authority when readiness is not demonstrated.
Protect sensitive information, including security‑related and export‑controlled data, in accordance with regulatory and company requirements.
Perform other duties as assigned to support plant operations and organizational goals.