NRIC - Technical Program Manager

Idaho National Laboratory • Idaho Falls, ID

3d • Onsite

About The Position

Idaho National Laboratory’s National Reactor Innovation Center (NRIC) is seeking a Technical Program Manager to accelerate the demonstration and deployment of advanced nuclear energy systems. The role is part of the Demonstration Infrastructure & Support team and involves working with reactor developers, national laboratories, federal agencies, and industry partners to address technical and infrastructure challenges and advance reactor concepts from design through demonstration.

The position leads multiple complex, rapidly evolving projects and may provide direction to subordinate project managers. It establishes program priorities, integrates project activities, monitors performance, manages changes, and coordinates engineering, construction, modification, and operational-readiness work needed for advanced reactor testing and demonstration. Projects may involve experimental infrastructure, facility upgrades, new construction, fuel availability, testing capabilities, and demonstration sites. The role builds multidisciplinary research and engineering teams, coordinates work across INL and partner organizations, maintains customer and stakeholder relationships, communicates program performance, ensures compliance with applicable requirements and standards, and develops opportunities that advance NRIC’s mission.

The team works a 9x80 schedule, with every other Friday off, at the Research Education Campus facility. This is a multi-level position, with placement at Level 4 or Level 5 based on the depth and breadth of the candidate’s proven experience and skills. It is a testing designated position requiring pre-employment and periodic drug testing. The position requires the ability to obtain and maintain a Department of Energy Q clearance, which requires U.S. citizenship.

Requirements

• Level 4: Bachelor’s degree and 9 years, or master’s degree and 6 years, or Ph.D. and 4 years of relevant experience in nuclear, electrical, chemical, or mechanical engineering, or another related degree.
• Level 5: Bachelor’s degree and 14 years, or master’s degree and 8 years, or Ph.D. and 6 years of relevant experience in nuclear, electrical, chemical, or mechanical engineering, or another related degree.
• Experience in systems engineering or engineering design of pilot plants and experimental facilities.
• Knowledge of model-based systems and digital engineering applied to plant design.
• Knowledge of procedures addressing requirements management, configuration management, risk management, systems analysis, verification, and validation.
• Ability to obtain and maintain a Department of Energy Q clearance; U.S. citizenship is required for the clearance.
• Ability to perform duties in office and field/laboratory environments, including standing, walking, sitting, stooping, kneeling, bending, using hand and finger dexterity, reaching, operating job-related equipment, driving a vehicle, and occasionally lifting or moving up to 25 pounds without assistance.
• Sufficient visual acuity and hearing capacity to perform essential functions and interact with the public.

Nice To Haves

• Experience leading projects in environments with chemical, radiological, or other industrial hazards.
• Experience as a technical lead or system architect in nuclear or process technology development.
• Experience with construction project management.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate work across national laboratories to support advanced reactor demonstration projects.
• Lead teams in designing purpose-built experimental infrastructure for U.S. reactor developers and work alongside industry partners demonstrating reactor design and deployment innovations.
• Coordinate with organizations, facilities, operations, and business professionals to lead programmatic activities and ensure cost-effective execution and completion.
• Establish program priorities, integrate project activities, monitor performance, and manage changes to deliver work safely, on schedule, and within budget.
• Coordinate experimental campaigns using existing Department of Energy facilities.
• Develop new facilities or capabilities for testing and demonstration.
• Ensure fuel availability and production for reactor demonstrations.
• Prepare sites for operational demonstration reactors.
• Coordinate engineering, construction, modification, and operational-readiness activities supporting advanced reactor testing and demonstration.
• Build multidisciplinary research and engineering teams and coordinate work across INL and partner organizations.
• Maintain productive relationships with customers and stakeholders, including DOE, DOW, other national laboratories, and private-sector reactor developers.
• Communicate program performance to customers and laboratory leadership.
• Ensure compliance with applicable requirements and standards, identify emerging needs, and develop opportunities that advance NRIC’s mission.
• Minimize the time required to build and operate novel reactor concepts.
• Provide direction to subordinate project managers, as applicable.

What This Job Offers

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