Nuclear Plant Services Subject Matter Expert - Nuclear

Sargent Lundy; Boston (MA); On-site; USD 180,000 - 240,000; Full time

Job summary

Sargent Lundy is seeking a Nuclear Plant Services SME to lead large DOE and nuclear projects from planning through turnover in the Boston area. The role demands extensive experience guiding cross-disciplinary teams, managing scope, schedule, and budget, and delivering on critical milestones.

The ideal candidate will mentor staff, coordinate with stakeholders, ensure safety and quality, and drive readiness reviews while maintaining strong client relationships across the East Coast.

Qualifications

• 20+ years of progressively responsible experience in nuclear or related industry.
• 15+ years managing multiple projects and leading teams.
• Master's or advanced degree in engineering/construction management; PhD preferred.
• PM certification is a plus and experience with EPC/GC contracts.

Responsibilities

• Lead large, multi-discipline nuclear/DOE projects from planning through closeout.
• Coordinate with managers and teams to ensure alignment on scope and deliverables.
• Manage client relationships, provide progress, risk, and cost updates.
• Own project baselines, schedules, budgets, and performance metrics.
• Develop plans for commissioning, testing, and turnover.
• Mentor project teams and drive readiness reviews.
• Ensure safety, quality, and regulatory compliance.

Skills

Leadership

Project management

Nuclear industry

DOE projects

Stakeholder management

Cost control

Schedule management

Risk management

Mentoring

Communication

Contract administration

Education

Master's degree in engineering or construction management

Advanced degree / PhD preferred

PMP Certification

Tools

PMP

Job description

Responsibilities

The Nuclear Plant Services Subject Matter Expert (SME) will bring strong experience in leadership and serve as the primary liaison between clients, subcontractors, vendors, and internal teams to ensure alignment on project objectives and requirements. This individual will guide the team to efficiently complete work tasks on schedule and within budget for our clients. The candidate will assist in East Coast Office development, recruiting, and provide Industry Consulting to our Client. We are seeking a proven leader with large-scale nuclear power plant and Department of Energy (DOE) experience who can deliver essential core services while exemplifying our core values.

Lead large, multi-discipline nuclear / DOE 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 scope changes and change orders, assessing impacts on cost and schedule and integrating approved changes into project plans, schedules, and budgets.

Develop project-specific project management and commissioning/testing plans with clear acceptance criteria, verification/validation requirements, and turnover deliverables.

Perform front-end project planning and readiness activities (work sequencing, interfaces, resource planning, outage and operational integration) prior to execution.

Lead, mentor and coach project management and commissioning teams; provide clear direction, prioritization, and constructive feedback to support effective execution.

Monitor project execution and commissioning performance, including progress, cost, quality, scope, and risk; ensure project documentation is accurate, complete, and compliant.

Conduct risk assessments throughout the project life cycle; implement mitigation and contingency plans; lead readiness and go/no-go reviews for key milestones.

Lead and Overview Project Tasks and support Challenge Boards to enhance product quality.

Oversee subcontractor and supplier performance and contract conformance, supporting claims and dispute resolution in coordination with the commercial team.

Report progress, forecasts, and variances to leadership and the client; drive issue resolution, milestone completion, turnover documentation, and project closeout.

Conduct post-project reviews to capture lessons learned and systematically improve future nuclear project execution.

Promote a strong safety and quality culture across all project activities, ensuring adherence to applicable nuclear, regulatory, and organizational standards.

Aid in responding to topical technical issues within your technical proficiency.

Participate as a member, board member or emeritus in industry forums (e.g., INPO, NEI, EPRI, O&M, IEAE, etc.)

Support and take active role in establishing a local East Coast Office in the Boston area.

Aid in resource identification, recruiting from local prestigious Universities, and mentoring personnel in Nuclear / DOE industry activities.

Qualifications

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

Essential Skills

• 20+ years of progressively responsible experience in the nuclear industry, or other relevant industry
• 15+ years managing multiple projects and/or leading teams.
• Master's or Advance degree in engineering, construction management, or other relevant field / Operations Experience. Preferred PHD.
• Project Management Professional Certification (PMP) is a plus.
• Experience delivering under EPC and general contractor (GC) contract models.
• Proven supervision of project teams and management of clients, subcontractors, and vendors.
• Demonstrated ability to communicate clearly with stakeholders, vendors, teammates, and business partners; strong client relationship-building.
• Hands-on use of project controls (cost, schedule, change, risk) on large projects.
• Understanding of process-based project management and start-up testing.
• Knowledge of quality, safety, and health requirements.
• Proficient in developing Facility Upgrade (e.g., Major and Minor Modifications) to Nuclear Power Plants.
• Proficient in establishing nuclear growth strategies, understanding industry innovation / RD, awareness of advance reactor technology.
• Understand, experienced and familiar with Nuclear Industry Standard Design Process (SDP).
• Proficient in navigating within DOE, DOW and Military facilities to execute successful projects.
• Experience in coordination of partnerships with nuclear industry, national laboratories, universities, and commerc