Engineering Director: Nuclear Plant Upgrades & Epc Lead

Alva Energy, Inc.; Western Australia; On-site; AUD 300,000 - 420,000; Full time

Job summary

Alva Energy in Australia is seeking an Engineering Director to report to the CTO and lead engineering from screening through design maturity and field execution, owning multi-discipline integration and EPC performance. You’ll manage internal Alva engineering team and external EPC partners, interfacing with site owners and OEMs.

You will lead stage-gated engineering maturity from FEL-1 through FEL-3, develop specs, manage major equipment direction, and translate engineering into field execution

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering in Mechanical, Nuclear, Industrial, Petroleum, Chemical, Civil or Electrical fields.
• 10-15 years of power plant systems engineering or leading engineering on large projects with EPC/Owner interaction.
• Extensive knowledge of steam cycles and power conversion systems; strong turbine and BOP understanding.
• Willingness to travel up to ~25% to sites and suppliers.
• Experience leading internal engineers and external EPC partners across multiple disciplines.
• Background in a hard-tech startup bringing complex systems from concept to deployment.
• Rigorous safety, codes and execution in oil & gas, petrochemicals, refining, LNG or power environments.

Responsibilities

• Lead multi-discipline engineering delivery: mechanical, electrical/I&C, civil/structural.
• Own plant power integration and design for modifications and tie-ins to the existing plant.
• Manage EPCs/contractors: define scopes, interfaces, deliverables; run reviews; oversee changes.
• Drive stage-gated engineering maturity: FEL-1 through FEL-3; set deliverables and gate reviews.
• Develop specs and review technical deliverables: standards, specifications and contracts.
• Own major equipment direction: steam turbines, condensers, feedwater/condensate systems, vendor evaluations.
• Translate engineering into field execution: support construction-ready plans and startup.
• Work across balance-of-plant and NSSS modifications.
• Build and lead the team: hire, onboard, mentor, grow engineering function.

Skills

Stakeholder management

Leadership

Communication

Travel readiness

Education

Bachelor’s degree in engineering

Job description

Alva Energy is developing a large nuclear power uprate projects. We are hiring an Engineering Director to report to the CTO and lead engineering from early-stage screening through design maturity and field execution, owning multi-discipline integration, EPC performance, major equipment technical direction, and stakeholder coordination.

This role blends power plant systems leadership with project engineering/program leadership. You’ll manage both the internal Alva engineering team and external engineering contractors/EPC partners, and you’ll interface directly with site owners and key OEMs/suppliers.

Key Responsibilities:

• Lead multi-discipline engineering delivery: coordinate mechanical, electrical/I&C, civil/structural engineering.

• Own plant power integration: lead system design for modifications and tie-ins to the existing plant.

• Manage EPCs and engineering contractors: define scopes, interfaces, and deliverables; run design/progress reviews; oversee technical performance, RFIs, design changes, and issue resolution.

• Drive stage-gated engineering maturity: lead engineering maturity from FEL-1 through FEL-3 (or 30/60/90%), setting deliverables, quality criteria, and gate reviews.

• Develop specs and review technical deliverables: draft/review engineering standards, technical specifications, and contract scopes for EPC and major equipment.

• Own major equipment technical direction: develop technical specifications for steam turbines, condensers, and feedwater/condensate systems; conduct technical evaluations of vendor proposals and designs.

• Translate engineering into field execution: support construction-ready work packaging and execution plans; provide engineering support during construction, commissioning, and startup.

• Work across balance-of-plant and NSSS modifications

• Build and lead the team: hire, onboard, mentor, and grow Alva’s engineering function; improve standards, tools, and operating cadence for project delivery.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical, Nuclear, Industrial, Petroleum, Chemical, Civil, Electrical, or related engineering discipline.

• 10-15 years of experience in power plant systems engineering and/or leading engineering on large power or process-industry projects with significant EPC or Owner’s Engineer interaction.

• Extensive knowledge of steam cycles and power conversion systems; strong understanding of steam turbine plants and major BOP systems.

• Strong stakeholder management and communication skills; willingness to travel up to ~25% to sites and suppliers.

• Experience managing engineering teams across multiple disciplines, including leading both internal engineers and external contractors/EPC partners.

• Background in a hard-tech startup taking complex systems from 01 (concept to first deployment).

• Engineering leadership in oil & gas, petrochemicals, refining, LNG, or conventional power generation environments with high rigor around safety, codes, and execution.