Director of Plant Operations

Blue Energy; Houston (TX); On-site; USD 150,000 - 210,000; Full time

Job summary

Blue Energy seeks a Director of Operations to lead the safe, reliable startup and commercial operations of a new-build energy facility combining SMRs and a CCGT plant. You will oversee final construction, commissioning, fuel loading, and power ascension testing, transitioning to full commercial operations.

You will ensure regulatory compliance, operational excellence, and effective coordination between nuclear and thermal generation teams, with a focus on safety culture and performance.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering, nuclear technology, mechanical/electrical engineering, or a related technical field is required.
• Master’s degree or MBA preferred.

Responsibilities

• Lead operational readiness planning for SMR and CCGT systems, including staffing and procedures.
• Ensure operator licensing and qualification programs meet NRC, INPO, and NERC standards.
• Oversee commissioning, fuel load, pre-operational testing, and systems turnover from construction to operations.
• Coordinate with EPC contractors, licensing teams, and engineering to align operations requirements with construction.
• Establish and foster a strong nuclear safety culture and operational excellence mindset across the ops team.
• Establish control room staffing, shift turnover processes, and plant startup protocols.
• Direct daily operations of SMR and CCGT assets focusing on safety, reliability, and load coordination.
• Represent the site during NRC, INPO, NERC, and ISO audits or inspections.

Skills

NRC/NERC regulations

Leadership experience

Operations management

Dispatch optimization

Crisis management

Education

Bachelor's degree in engineering or related field

Master's degree or MBA preferred

Job description

Company Overview

Blue Energy’s mission is to unlock energy abundance, energy affordability, energy security, and turn-key decarbonization by developing the fastest path to deploying new nuclear MWs at scale. We are utilizing shipyard manufacturing supply chains and techniques from offshore oil and wind to reduce the cost of nuclear plants by over 60% and the manufacturing timeline to 24 months. Blue Energy is a platform technology that makes use of the latest NRC-approved reactors and is in negotiations with existing nuclear and industrial sites, enabling a much faster regulatory pathway to deploy our first unit. With our innovative centralized shipyard manufacturing approach, we can put nuclear power on a cost-reduction learning curve akin to wind, solar, and lithium-ion batteries.

Job Summary

The Director of Operations is responsible for the safe, reliable, and compliant startup and commercial operations of a new-build energy facility comprising a Small Modular Reactors (SMRs) and a Combined Cycle Gas Turbine (CCGT) plant. This leadership role leads all operational aspects during final construction, commissioning, initial fuel load, and power ascension testing, transitioning into full commercial operations. The Director ensures regulatory compliance, operational excellence, and effective coordination between nuclear and thermal generation systems.

Key Responsibilities

Pre-Operational / Startup Phase

• Lead operational readiness planning, including staffing, training, and procedure development for SMR and CCGT systems.
• Ensure operator licensing and qualification programs meet NRC, INPO, and NERC standards.
• NRC requirements for licensed operator training are rigorous and time consuming, previous experience in this area is imperative
• Oversee and participate in commissioning, fuel load, pre-operational testing, and systems turnover from construction to operations.
• Coordinate with EPC contractors, licensing teams, and engineering to ensure operations requirements are integrated into construction and startup activities.
• Establish and foster a strong nuclear safety culture and operational excellence mindset across the entire operations team.
• Establish control room staffing, shift turnover processes, and plant startup protocols.

Operational Phase

• Direct daily operations of both SMR and CCGT assets with a focus on safety, reliability, and load coordination.
• Ensure compliance with NRC regulations, NERC standards, EPA air permits, and other applicable federal/state requirements.
• Maintain and enforce a strong nuclear safety culture and operational excellence mindset across the entire operations team.
• Manage licensed SROs, non-licensed operators, and CCGT operations personnel; ensure cross-training where appropriate.
• Coordinate plant dispatch and unit optimization strategies to meet grid requirements, capacity obligations, and market opportunities.
• Serve as Emergency Director per the emergency plan and ensure dual-technology emergency response capability.
• Track performance indicators, identify gaps, and lead improvement initiatives.
• Represent the site during NRC, INPO, NERC, and ISO audits or inspections.

Qualifications

Education

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering, nuclear technology, mechanical/electrical engineering, or a related technical field is required.
• Master’s degree or MBA preferred.

Experience

• 10+ years in power plant operations, including nuclear and CCGT generation.
• At least 5 years in management of licensed operators or generation plant operators.
• Have worked as a Shift Manager, Shift Operations Superintendent (S)S/OSS) or Operations Director at an operating commercial nuclear power plant
• Experience with plant commissioning/startup is strongly preferred.
• Familiarity with integrated SMR/CCGT sites or hybrid power plant operations is a plus.

Certifications/Licenses

• NRC Senior Reactor Operator (SRO) License or SRO Certification (required or obtainable within 12 months of hire).
• NERC system operator credentials (preferred but not required).

Skills and Competencies

• Strong understanding of NRC, NERC, FERC, and EPA operational requirements for dual-technology facilities.
• Proven ability to lead large, multidisciplinary teams in a high-regulatory, high-performance environment.
• Deep knowledge of nuclear and thermal generation systems, operations management, and dispatch optimization.
• Excellent crisis management, decision-making, and communication skills.
• Ability to operate with strategic foresight while ensuring day-to-day operational rigor.

Work Environment and Physical Requirements

• Onsite role during construction, commissioning, and operations.
• Must pass nuclear and CCGT site access and fitness-for-duty requirements.
• Occasional off-shift support or emergency response duties as required.

Blue Energy is dedicated to building a diverse and inclusive workplace.