Shift Manager (Fuel Facility)

X-energy•Oak Ridge, TN

1d•Onsite

About The Position

The Shift Manager serves as the on the floor operational leader for the TRISO X fuel fabrication facility. Acting as the delegated representative of the Fuel Manufacturing Operations Manager, the Shift Manager is responsible for the safe, secure, and efficient execution of all production and maintenance activities during their assigned shift. This role ensures that production goals are met while maintaining strict adherence to nuclear grade safety, quality, regulatory compliance, and security requirements.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in science or engineering
5+ years of management experience in nuclear industry, nuclear-related field, or relevant non-nuclear manufacturing within a regulated environment.
Strong understanding of safety‑critical operations, quality systems, and procedural compliance.
Ability to make sound decisions under pressure and manage multiple priorities simultaneously.
Ability and willingness to transition from a standard weekday schedule to a rotating 24/7 shift schedule as the facility scales.
Must pass pre-placement medical examination including physical capacity assessment, respirator medical clearance, and baseline testing for hearing, and pulmonary function as required by assigned duties.
Must be able to pass a drug test
Must have the ability to wear a respirator
Must be able to push, pull, move, and/or lift a minimum of 50 pounds
Must be able to perform frequent repetitive lifting and bending associated with production processes
Must be able to stand for long hours
Experience with basic computer applications and electronic data collection systems.
Up to 10% travel.

Nice To Haves

Familiarity with industrial safety practices, emergency procedures, and proper handling of hazardous / radioactive materials.
Demonstrated leadership experience in shift‑based or 24/7 operations.
Experience in nuclear fuel fabrication, nuclear operations, or DOE/NRC‑regulated facilities.
Working knowledge of TRISO-X fuel processes, glovebox operations, or radiological controls.
Prior experience supervising multidisciplinary technical teams.
Nuclear Material Control & Accountability experience

Responsibilities

Lead the production and maintenance shift teams, ensuring cohesive, well‑coordinated operations.
Manage staffing coverage for assigned shift.
Serve as the primary decision‑maker for on‑shift operational issues, escalating to the Operations Manager as needed.
Lead on‑shift briefings.
Ensure attainment of daily, weekly, and monthly production targets.
Maintain real‑time awareness of facility status, equipment performance, and workflow bottlenecks.
Enforce all nuclear, radiological, chemical, and industrial safety requirements.
Ensure strict compliance with facility procedures, regulatory standards, and license conditions.
Verify that operators follow approved work instructions, inspection protocols, and quality hold points.
Ensure all production activities meet TRISO-X fuel quality specifications and documentation requirements.
Support root‑cause investigations and corrective actions for quality deviations.
Uphold all physical security, access control, and material accountability requirements.
Ensure proper handling, tracking, and documentation of nuclear materials in accordance with safeguards protocols.
Immediately report and respond to any security‑related anomalies or concerns.
Act as the central point of coordination between production, maintenance, engineering, quality, and security teams.
Deconflict work activities to prevent interference, safety hazards, or schedule delays.
Maintain accurate shift logs, production reports, and turnover documentation.
Conduct structured shift handovers to ensure continuity of operations.
Champion a strong safety culture by enforcing all safety procedures, including PPE use, lockout/tagout, pressure‑vessel safety, and hazard‑control protocols.
Ensure personnel stop work when unsafe conditions exist and support rapid resolution of hazards.
Lead and participate in emergency response drills, including development, coordination, and evaluation of drill packages.
Verify that work areas remain clean, organized, and compliant with industrial hygiene and safety standards.
Validate completion of required rounds, including system parameters, output quantities, equipment performance, and quality control results.
Review process control charts, quality data, and technician reports to identify trends, deviations, or improvement opportunities.
Enforce adherence to all environment, safety, health, and quality program requirements.
Support continuous improvement initiatives, including updates to standard operating procedures and production documentation.
Protect sensitive information, including security‑related and export‑controlled data, in accordance with regulatory and company requirements.
Ensure all team activities comply with NRC standards, internal policies, and audit expectations.
Communicate operational expectations, changes, and lessons learned clearly and consistently.
Document production results, safety events, quality concerns, and equipment issues in accordance with plant requirements.
Support budget and schedule attainment by identifying inefficiencies and recommending corrective actions.
Perform other duties as assigned to support plant operations and organizational goals including reporting during off duty hours for site emergency responses.
Participate in readiness reviews, safety walkdowns, and regulatory inspections as required.
Be able to detect and respond to equipment alarms.
Maintain professional demeanor and behavior at all times in all forms of communication.