Engineering Director

Alva Energy; Cambridge (MA); On-site; USD 140,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Alva Energy, located in Cambridge, Massachusetts, is seeking an Engineering Director to lead engineering for large nuclear power uprate projects. This role involves overseeing multi-discipline teams and ensuring successful project execution from early-stage design to field implementation.

The ideal candidate will possess a Bachelor’s degree in engineering and have 10–15 years of relevant experience in power plant systems, project engineering, and stakeholder management. An opportunity for leadership in a pioneering environment awaits.

Qualifications

• 10–15 years of experience in power plant systems engineering or leading large projects.
• Extensive knowledge of steam cycles and power conversion systems.
• Experience managing engineering teams across multiple disciplines.

Responsibilities

• Lead multi‑discipline engineering delivery.
• Own plant power integration and system design.
• Manage EPCs and engineering contractors.

Skills

Leadership

Stakeholder management

Engineering management

Systems engineering

Communication skills

Education

Bachelor’s degree in relevant engineering discipline

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 0→1 (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.