Program Manager, Microreactors

About the role

The Idaho National Laboratory is seeking a Program Manager, Microreactors to lead high-impact, strategic programs focusing on test or prototype reactor projects. The role involves owning the full end-to-end responsibility for these programs, from concept through hardware delivery and test completion.

Responsibilities

• Proactively manage and execute sets of projects into programs on schedule and within budgets
• Direct or support engineering projects related to upgrading facilities and constructing new facilities
• Aid in developing research and engineering teams to help partners meet their goals
• Interface with partners including DOE and DOD to coordinate laboratory operations
• Prepare progress and special reports to customers and management
• Ensure laboratory requirements and standards are met
• Maintain customer contact and work relationships
• Identify new opportunities and support growth
• Develop teams to successfully complete projects

Essential Job Functions and Responsibilities

• Hold total accountability for program outcomes: technical performance, schedule, cost, and safety
• Define and maintain the integrated master schedule (IMS) and work breakdown structure (WBS)
• Work with project manager to establish and manage program budget, including forecasting, variance analysis, and reporting to leadership
• Buy down risk by investing in technology development programs
• Set and track major milestones (design reviews, long-lead procurement, fabrication, integration, test readiness, criticality/operation, decommissioning as applicable)
• Identify and manage the critical path; proactively resolve schedule risks and slippage
• Run recurring program reviews (weekly tag-ups, monthly management reviews, milestone gate reviews)
• Develop and own the program cost baseline; manage earned value or equivalent cost/schedule performance tracking
• Allocate and adjust staffing, capital, and vendor spend across the program lifecycle
• Manage contingency/reserve and escalate funding risks early
• Oversee procurement, fabrication, and delivery of reactor components/subsystems (e.g., core internals, vessel, instrumentation, control systems, shielding, fuel or fuel-surrogate hardware)
• Manage supplier and fabrication-partner performance, including long-lead items and qualification testing
• Cook up integration, installation, and commissioning activities at the test site
• Partner with engineering leads to ensure design maturity supports schedule commitments
• Maintain a program risk register; drive mitigation plans for technical, schedule, cost, safety, and regulatory risks
• Ensure configuration management and change control discipline across design, procurement, and test baselines
• Ensure program activities comply with applicable nuclear safety, quality assurance, and regulatory requirements
• Support licensing, safety case, and test readiness review documentation and boards
• Lead a cross-functional team (engineering, manufacturing, quality, safety, licensing, test operations)
• Communicate program status, risks, and decisions to executive leadership, customers, and/or funding agencies (e.g., DOE, private investors)
• Represent the program in external reviews, audits, and customer/sponsor meetings

Requirements

• Level 4: Bachelor's degree in nuclear, mechanical, or electrical engineering (or related technical field) and nine (9) years of relevant experience; or a Master's degree in nuclear, mechanical, or electrical engineering (or related technical field) and six (6) years of relevant experience; or a PhD in nuclear, mechanical, or electrical engineering (or related technical field) and four (4) years of relevant experience.
• Level 5: Bachelor's degree in nuclear, mechanical, or electrical engineering (or related technical field) and fourteen (14) years of relevant experience; or a Master's degree in nuclear, mechanical, or electrical engineering (or related technical field) and eight (8) years of relevant experience; or a PhD in nuclear, mechanical, or electrical engineering (or related technical field) and six (6) years of relevant experience.
• Direct experience on reactor, nuclear, or other highly regulated first-of-a-kind hardware programs
• Demonstrated ownership of program budget (typically $10M+) and integrated schedules
• Strong understanding of hardware development lifecycle: design, procurement, fabrication, integration, test
• Experience with earned value management (EVM) or equivalent cost/schedule control methods
• Excellent communication skills; comfortable briefing executives and regulators
• Able to obtain and maintain a “Q” and SCI level security clearance, which requires U.S. citizenship

Qualifications

• Advanced degree in nuclear, mechanical, or electrical engineering (or related technical field)
• Direct experience with test or prototype reactor programs (research reactors, Department of War, microreactors, NASA, or DOE prototype programs)
• Familiarity with nuclear QA programs (NQA-1), DOE order compliance, or NRC licensing processes
• Experience managing subcontractors/fabrication vendors for large, custom hardware

Physical Requirements

• Stand, walk, sit, stoop, kneel, bend, and work in an office and field/laboratory environment
• Occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds without assistance

Benefits and Relocation

• Medical, Dental, Vision, and Flexible Spending Accounts
• 401(k) with a 4.2% employer contribution and up to 4.8% match (regular positions) or self-contribute access (postdoctoral positions)
• Paid time off (personal leave)
• Employee Education Program (tuition assistance for eligible positions)
• Comprehensive Relocation Package

Equal Employment Opportunity

Idaho National Laboratory (INL) is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) employer. It is the policy of INL to provide equal employment opportunities to all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, protected veteran or disabled status, or genetic information.