Assistant Operations Manager

Nda Group; United Kingdom; Remote; GBP 45,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

Dounreay is seeking an Assistant Operations Manager to help ensure the safe, secure and efficient operation of a licensed nuclear facility. You will contribute as a deputy Authorised To Operate (ATO), balancing safety, performance and delivery while collaborating with senior managers, project teams, contractors and regulators.

Interviews are planned for the week commencing Monday 28 September 2026. You will oversee active facility operations, ensuring work is planned, authorised and delivered

Qualifications

• Planning and decision‑making skills with a strong technical background.
• Clear communication and the ability to perform under pressure while maintaining safety standards.

Responsibilities

• Manage facility operations, ensuring work is planned, authorised and delivered safely and efficiently.
• Support programme delivery, performance monitoring and continuous improvement.
• Provide governance, contractor oversight and emergency arrangements.
• Develop staff through line management and succession planning.

Skills

Planning & decision-making

Clear communication

Operating under pressure

Education

HND in Science or Engineering

Job description

An opportunity has arisen for an Assistant Operations Manager, playing a vital role in the safe, secure and efficient operation of a licensed nuclear facility. This is a highly responsible position for an experienced operations professional who is ready to step into deputy Authorised To Operate (ATO) duties and make a tangible contribution to Dounreay’s mission.

You will be at the heart of day‑to‑day operations, balancing safety, performance and delivery while working closely with senior managers, project teams, contractors and regulators in a demanding and rewarding environment.

What you will be doing:

You will take an active role in managing facility operations, ensuring work is planned, authorised and delivered safely, compliantly and efficiently within the safety case and lifetime plan. Working in partnership with senior managers, you will support programme delivery, performance monitoring and continuous improvement, while maintaining effective governance, contractor assurance and emergency preparedness.

• Support safe facility as Deputy ATO, ensuring nuclear safety, security and environmental compliance
• Drive delivery of operational and project activities, monitoring safety, cost, quality and programme performance
• Provide assurance through governance, incident review, contractor oversight and emergency arrangements
• Develop staff through effective line management and succession planning

What you will bring:

You will have planning and decision‑making skills with a strong technical background and experience of managing complex industrial or nuclear environments. You will bring sound judgement, clear communication and the ability to perform under pressure while maintaining the highest safety standards.

• HND in Science or Engineering (or equivalent) with relevant operational experience
• Demonstrable experience in plant or industrial operations, ideally within a nuclear facility or an engineering background
• Proven capability in facility safety case and maintenance process
• Knowledge of Dounreay compliance services
• Post specific capability analysis assessment

We are looking to hold interviews week commencing Monday 28 September 2026, however, please note that this vacancy may close earlier than the stated deadline should we receive a high volume of applications, so we encourage you to submit your application as soon as possible.