Plant Operations Manager

Blue Energy; Houston (TX); On-site; USD 120,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

Blue Energy is seeking a Manager of Plant Operations in Houston, Texas. This role is pivotal for overseeing the safe start-up and reliable operations of a new energy facility utilizing Small Modular Reactors and a Combined Cycle Gas Turbine. You will ensure compliance with NRC regulations and manage both operational excellence and regulatory challenges.

The ideal candidate has over 10 years in power plant operations and a strong focus on safety, regulatory compliance, and operational management. This onsite position requires significant leadership and decision-making skills while establishing a robust safety culture.

Qualifications

• 10+ years in power plant operations, including nuclear and CCGT.
• At least 5 years managing licensed operators or generation plant operators.
• Experience with plant commissioning/startup preferred.

Responsibilities

• Lead operational readiness planning for SMR and CCGT systems.
• Oversee commissioning, fuel load, and pre-operational testing.
• Manage daily operations of SMR and CCGT assets.

Skills

Nuclear operations

Plant management

Crisis management

Compliance with regulations

Education

Bachelor’s degree in engineering, nuclear technology or related

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.

Role Summary

The Manager of Plant Operations is responsible for the safe, reliable, and compliant start-up and commercial operations of a new-build energy facility comprising Small Modular Reactors (SMRs) and a Combined Cycle Gas Turbine (CCGT) plant. This leadership role manages all operational aspects during final construction, commissioning, initial fuel load, and power ascension testing, transitioning into full commercial operations. The Manager works directly with the Director to ensure 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:

• Manage 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.

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.

  • Having worked as a Shift Operations Superintendent (S)S/OSS) or Shift Manager 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.

Licenses / Certifications:

• 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).

Preferred Qualifications:

• 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, highperformance environment during commissioning and plant startup.

• 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.

• 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.