Director, Engineering

About the role

Welcome to BWXT

We believe in empowering our employees and cultivating a dynamic workplace that fosters growth and collaboration. Whether you’re an experienced professional or just starting your career, you'll find opportunities to challenge yourself, learn from seasoned experts, and contribute to nuclear innovation. We require a diverse range of skills to support our work in the markets that drive our business and welcome candidates from all backgrounds and life stages who are passionate about making a difference.

Responsibilities

• Lead a large, complex matrixed organization encompassing nine major engineering disciplines and numerous technical sub-disciplines.
• Provide senior technical oversight for all product-focused engineering execution across advanced reactor, microreactor, and space nuclear programs.
• Own all engineering procedures and technical governance under the 10 CFR 50 Appendix B / NQA 1 and ASME quality programs.
• Direct the organization’s design process, engineering standards, and continuous process improvement initiatives.
• Serve as a key strategic partner to program leadership, ensuring optimal allocation of engineering resources to meet cost, schedule, and technical objectives.
• As the design authority, act as the senior point of escalation and decision-making authority for technical and cross-disciplinary challenges.
• Develop and implement long-term organizational growth, workforce development, and capability expansion strategies aligned with business needs.
• Introduce and institutionalize best-in-class engineering practices from nuclear, aerospace, defense, and other highly regulated industries.
• Collaborate with the Advanced Technologies executive team to shape organizational culture, portfolio strategy, and long-term business evolution.

Requirements

• A bachelor’s degree in an engineering discipline is required.
• A minimum of twenty (20) years of engineering experience supporting U.S. government nuclear programs, commercial nuclear operations, advanced reactors, or aerospace/defense nuclear applications is required.
• Must have a minimum of ten (10) years of senior management experience leading large engineering or technical organizations.
• Must have demonstrated experience executing engineering work governed by rigorous nuclear quality programs such as NQA 1, ISO 9001, and/or AS9100.
• Must have demonstrated experience in leading the delivery and execution of complex new products through all phases of the development lifecycle.
• Must have a proven ability to lead through influence and manage complex matrixed teams across multiple programs and technical domains.
• Must have exceptional written, verbal, and analytical communication skills.
• Must have demonstrable ability to effectively engage with senior stakeholders, customers, regulators, and internal leadership at all levels.
• Must have strong attention to technical rigor and organizational detail.
• Must be a U.S. citizen.
• Must be able to obtain and maintain a U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) or Department of Defense (DOD) security clearance, whichever is required.

Qualifications

• A bachelor’s degree in an engineering discipline is required.
• A minimum of twenty (20) years of engineering experience supporting U.S. government nuclear programs, commercial nuclear operations, advanced reactors, or aerospace/defense nuclear applications is required.
• A minimum of ten (10) years of senior management experience leading large engineering or technical organizations is required.
• Demonstrated experience executing engineering work governed by rigorous nuclear quality programs such as NQA 1, ISO 9001, and/or AS9100 is required.
• Demonstrated experience in leading the delivery and execution of complex new products through all phases of the development lifecycle is required.
• A proven ability to lead through influence and manage complex matrixed teams across multiple programs and technical domains is required.
• Exceptional written, verbal, and analytical communication skills are required.
• A demonstrable ability to effectively engage with senior stakeholders, customers, regulators, and internal leadership at all levels is required.
• A strong attention to technical rigor and organizational detail is required.
• To be a U.S. citizen is required.
• To be able to obtain and maintain a U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) or Department of Defense (DOD) security clearance, whichever is required, is required.

Skills

• Experience in systems engineering is preferred.
• Experience leading organizations responsible for designing, operating, or maintaining nuclear reactors or advanced nuclear systems is preferred.

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!

Pay

$169,000.00 - $238,000.00

Schedule

On-site in Lynchburg, Virginia. Remote work is not available for this role.