Lead Project Manager 2 – Nuclear

Sargent & Lundy; Minneapolis (MN); Hybrid; USD 135,000 - 206,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health plans

Life Insurance

Disability Coverage

401(k)

Tuition Assistance

Flexible Work Arrangements

Job summary

Sargent & Lundy is seeking an experienced Project Manager to lead medium-to-large nuclear projects, guiding design, construction, and commissioning from planning through turnover. You will manage scope, schedule, cost, and client relationships, coordinating across multi-disciplinary teams and vendors in a hybrid work environment.

The role requires extensive nuclear project experience, PMP is a plus, and strong leadership in project controls, risk management, and communication with stakeholders

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in a related field from an accredited college or university.
• 12+ years nuclear industry experience with at least 5 years managing multiple projects.
• Must have experience with nuclear projects.
• PM Certification (PMP) is a plus.
• Experience with EPC and GC contract models.
• 8–10+ years in progressive leadership roles, supervising design/operations/construction teams.
• Demonstrated ability to communicate across multiple stakeholders.
• Experience in establishing and using project controls tools.
• Understanding of SDP process.
• Proficiency in MS Office and scheduling tools.

Responsibilities

• Lead medium to large, multi-discipline nuclear projects from planning through turnover.
• Coordinate with lead managers, discipline leads, and project teams to align scope and deliverables.
• Manage client relationships and provide regular progress, risk, and cost updates.
• Own project scope, schedule, budget, forecasts, and baselines; manage critical paths.
• Oversee change orders; ensure changes are documented and incorporated.
• Monitor design, construction and commissioning progress, cost, quality and safety.

Skills

Nuclear project management

PMP certification

Project governance

Scheduling

Cost management

Vendor management

Team leadership

Communication

Staffing and hiring

Travel willingness

Education

Bachelor’s degree in related field

Tools

Project controls tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

We do not sponsor employees for work authorization in the U.S. for this position.

This role offers a hybrid work arrangement. You'll spend three days a week in the office, giving you the flexibility to work remotely for two days. Significant growth in Sargent & Lundy’s (S&L) business over the past few years has driven the need to increase focus and investment in S&L’s Project Management team. This team works closely with our external clients to handle every detail of their needs, as well as with our internal teams to make the projects run as seamlessly as possible. The Project Manager will work as a design / construction subject matter expert, responsible for directing team activities and participating in critical evaluations to support new and facility upgrade designs. The PM will s erve as the primary liaison between clients, subcontractors, vendors, and internal teams to ensure alignment on project objectives and requirements. The PM focuses on managing and guiding the team to safely complete the scope of work on schedule and within budget for our clients. We are seeking a proven leader with medium to large scale nuclear power plant experience, who can not only ensure the delivery of essential core services through a design / construction lens but do so with the highest level of alignment with our core values.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead medium to large, multi-discipline nuclear projects from early planning and design through implementation, commissioning, turnover, and closeout.
• Coordinate with lead managers, discipline leads, and project teams across business units to ensure alignment on technical scope, priorities, and deliverables.
• Manage client relationships and expectations; provide timely progress, risk, and cost updates; lead regular performance and status review meetings.
• Own project scope, schedule (integrated master schedule with phasing and lookaheads), budget/forecasts, and key performance metrics; maintain project baselines and critical path.
• Manage client expectations and maintain strong client relationships through effective communication and timely updates.
• Provide oversight to the project’s overall cost and schedule.
• Oversee and manage change orders, ensuring scope changes are documented, approved, and incorporated into project plans.
• Assess and mitigate the impact of scope changes on cost and schedule.
• Develop project-specific Design, Project Management and/or commissioning management work plans.
• Perform Home office or remote design, construction planning work before field mobilization.
• Lead and manage the design staff.
• Monitor overall design, construction and commissioning progress, cost, quality, scope, and safety.
• Conduct thorough risk assessments at all stages of the project and develop contingency plans to mitigate construction and commissioning risks.
• Report task progress and cost to the Project Manager, Project Director and/or Client.
• Lead and attend design project performance review meetings.
• Plan Project process by developing schedules, phasing, and lookaheads.
• Keep track of project progress and maintain schedules.
• Keep all documentation up to date for internal and external project members.
• Collaborate with the internal design, construction team, engineers, subcontractors, etc. to determine project needs.
• Review and oversee contractual agreements with subcontractors and suppliers to ensure terms and deliverables are met.
• Handle disputes or claims arising from contract performance.
• Adhere to estimated costs and ensure the project is on budget (and is profitable).
• Supervise field staff and provide constructive feedback.
• Resolve on-site issues and emergencies.
• Oversee project close-out activities, including final inspections, punch list resolution, and documentation handover.
• Conduct post-project reviews to capture lessons learned and improve future project execution.
• Ensure the job site remains safe, clean, and orderly through compliance S&L standards.

Qualifications

We do not sponsor employees for work authorization in the U.S. for this position.

Essential Skills

• Bachelor’s degree in a related field from an accredited college or university, or other relevant field / Operations Experience, Operations Certification and industry experience.
• 12+ years of progressively responsible experience in the nuclear industry with at least 5 years managing multiple projects or leading a team . Focus will be on full design and/or construction experience.
• Must have experience with nuclear projects.
• Project Management Professional Certification (PMP) is a plus.
• Experience with EPC and GC contract models.
• 8 to 10+ years in progressive leadership roles, supervising design, Operations and/or construction teams, managing clients, subcontractors, and vendors.
• Demonstrated ability to communicate intentionally and clearly across multiple stakeholders, vendors, teammates, and business partners.
• Determination of staff positions and size; interviewing and selection of personnel experience.
• Experience in establishing and effectively using project controls tools to manage a large construction project.
• Understanding of a process approach to accomplishing Project Management and start-up testing work.
• Proficient in developing / reviewing Facility Upgrades (e.g., Major and Minor Modifications) to Nuclear Power Plants.
• Understand, experienced and familiar with Nuclear Plant Operations (preferably AP1000 Plant Operations)
• Understand, experienced and familiar with Nuclear industry Standard Design Process (SDP)
• Demonstrated client relationship-building experience.
• Knowledge of quality, safety, and health guidelines for sizeable industrial construction job sites.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications.
• Organizational and time-management skills.
• Must be able to travel.
• Key skills will be Project governance, scheduling, cost management, risk/issue tracking, vendor management, process improvement, team leadership, stakeholder communication, Project Management and organizational alignment.

Technology & Innovation

Sargent & Lundy values the appropriate use of technology to improve how work gets done and deliver high-quality outcomes for our clients. Depending on the role, employees may use data, automation, artificial intelligence, and other digital tools to support research, analysis, engineering and design activities, workflow improvement, or other aspects of their work. We value candidates who demonstrate an interest in learning and effectively using emerging technologies where relevant to their role. Employees remain accountable for their work and are expected to apply appropriate professional judgment and review when using technology-assisted tools. Experience with AI, automation, programming, or similar technologies is valued where relevant but is not required unless specifically identified elsewhere in the job description.

About Sargent & Lundy

At Sargent & Lundy, we care about the health and well-being of our employees. Our commitment extends beyond the workplace, offering comprehensive healthcare plans and generous paid time off to support our team members in every aspect of their lives. We understand the importance of work-life balance, which is why we are proud to provide competitive, award-winning benefits. Our dedication to employee satisfaction has earned us the prestigious Top Workplaces Culture Excellence Award for compensation and benefits in 2022, 2023, and 2024.

Health & Wellness

Financial Benefits

Work-Life Balance

• Health Plans: Medical, Dental, Vision
• Life & Accident Insurance
• Disability Coverage
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Back-Up Daycare
• FSA & HSA
• 401(k)
• Pre-Tax Commuter Account
• Merit Scholarship Program
• Employee Discount Program
• Corporate Charitable Giving Program
• Tuition Assistance
• First Professional Licensure Bonus
• Employee Referral Bonus
• Paid Annual Personal/Sick Time (PST)
• Paid Vacation
• Paid Holidays
• Paid Parental Leave
• Paid Bereavement Leave
• Flexible Work Arrangements

Compensation Range

$134,546 - $205,557

Transparency Statement

Sargent & Lundy discloses compensation ranges that comply with all local and state regulations. The total compensation package for eligible positions will include a base salary or an hourly rate and a comprehensive benefits package, reflecting our commitment to rewarding performance and supporting the overall well-being of our employees. Individuals may also be eligible to participate in our yearly discretionary bonus.

About This Business Unit

Join Sargent & Lundy's Nuclear Power Group and be part of a team driving the future of clean, carbon-free energy. Since 1954, we’ve been a trusted leader in nuclear engineering, design, and licensing, with expertise spanning small modular reactors (SMRs), advanced reactor technology (ART), and first-of-a-kind commercial reactor restart projects. Our work supports life extensions and digital modernization of existing nuclear plants, coal-to-nuclear conversion initiatives with the Department of State, and international nuclear new-build projects. With a commitment to safety, innovation, and sustainability, we provide cutting-edge solutions that power communities worldwide while reducing emissions. Shape the future of global energy with us!

Equal Opportunity

Sargent & Lundy is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any protected status as defined by applicable law.