Program Manager, Microreactors

Battelle Energy Alliance; Idaho Falls (ID); On-site; USD 114,000 - 281,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, Dental, Vision

401(k) with employer match

Paid time off

Tuition assistance / Education program

Comprehensive relocation package

Job summary

Battelle Energy Alliance, Idaho National Laboratory is seeking a Program Manager, Microreactors to lead high-impact programs from concept through hardware delivery and test completion.

You will be the single point of accountability for scope, schedule, budget and risk, interfacing with engineering, manufacturing, quality, safety, regulatory and leadership to ensure objectives are met on time and within budget.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in nuclear, mechanical, or electrical engineering (or related technical field) with relevant experience.
• Master’s degree in nuclear, mechanical, or electrical engineering (or related) with relevant experience.
• PhD in nuclear, mechanical, or electrical engineering (or related) with relevant experience.
• Direct experience on reactor, nuclear, or other highly regulated first-of-a-kind hardware programs.
• Experience managing program budgets and integrated schedules.

Responsibilities

• Owns total accountability for program outcomes including technical performance, schedule, cost, and safety.
• Defines and maintains the IMS and WBS.
• Manages program budget, forecasting, and variance analysis.
• Oversees procurement, fabrication, and delivery of reactor components and subsystems.

Skills

Program management

Budgeting

Scheduling

Risk management

Technical communication

Education

Bachelor's degree in nuclear/mechanical/electrical engineering

Master’s degree in nuclear/mechanical/electrical engineering

PhD in nuclear/mechanical/electrical engineering

Tools

Earned value management

IMS & WBS

Procurement processes

Job description

Idaho National Laboratory seeks a Program Manager, Microreactors to spearhead high-impact, strategic programs that will own full end-to-end accountability for at least one test or prototype reactor programs, from concept through hardware delivery and test completion. Serves as the single point of accountability for scope, schedule, budget, technical risk, and stakeholder alignment. Acts as the primary interface between engineering, manufacturing, quality, safety, regulatory, and executive leadership to ensure the program meets its technical objectives on time and on budget.

Essential Job Functions and Responsibilities

Program Ownership

• Hold total accountability for program outcomes: technical performance, schedule, cost, and safety.
• Define and maintain the integrated master schedule (IMS) and work breakdown structure (WBS).
• Work with project manager to establish and manage program budget, including forecasting, variance analysis, and reporting to leadership.
• Buy down risk by investing in technology development programs

Schedule & Milestones

• Set and track major milestones (design reviews, long-lead procurement, fabrication, integration, test readiness, criticality/operation, decommissioning as applicable).
• Identify and manage the critical path; proactively resolve schedule risks and slippage.
• Run recurring program reviews (weekly tag-ups, monthly management reviews, milestone gate reviews).

Budget & Resourcing

• In coordination with the project manager, develop and own the program cost baseline; manage earned value or equivalent cost/schedule performance tracking.
• Allocate and adjust staffing, capital, and vendor spend across the program lifecycle.
• Manage contingency/reserve and elevate funding risks early.

Hardware Delivery

• Oversee procurement, fabrication, and delivery of reactor components/subsystems (e.g., core internals, vessel, instrumentation, control systems, shielding, fuel or fuel-surrogate hardware).
• Manage supplier and fabrication-partner performance, including long-lead items and qualification testing.
• Coordinate integration, installation, and commissioning activities at the test site.

Technical & Risk Management

• Partner with engineering leads to ensure design maturity supports schedule commitments.
• Maintain a program risk register; drive mitigation plans for technical, schedule, cost, safety, and regulatory risks.
• Ensure configuration management and change control discipline across design, procurement, and test baselines.

Safety, Quality & Regulatory

• Ensure program activities comply with applicable nuclear safety, quality assurance, and regulatory requirements.
• Support licensing, safety case, and test readiness review documentation and boards.

Stakeholder & Team Leadership

• Lead a cross-functional team (engineering, manufacturing, quality, safety, licensing, test operations).
• Communicate program status, risks, and decisions to executive leadership, customers, and/or funding agencies (e.g., DOE, private investors).
• Represent the program in external reviews, audits, and customer/sponsor meetings.

Required

• Level 4: Bachelor's degree in nuclear, mechanical, or electrical engineering (or related technical field) and nine (9) years of relevant experience; or a Master’s degree in nuclear, mechanical, or electrical engineering (or related technical field) and six (6) years of relevant experience; or a PhD in nuclear, mechanical, or electrical engineering (or related technical field) and four (4) years of relevant experience.
• Level 5: Bachelor's degree in nuclear, mechanical, or electrical engineering (or related technical field) and fourteen (14) years of relevant experience; or a Master’s degree in nuclear, mechanical, or electrical engineering (or related technical field) and eight (8) years of relevant experience; or a PhD in nuclear, mechanical, or electrical engineering (or related technical field) and six (6) years of relevant experience.
• Direct experience on reactor, nuclear, or other highly regulated first-of-a-kind hardware programs.
• Demonstrated ownership of program budget (typically $10M+) and integrated schedules.
• Strong understanding of hardware development lifecycle: design, procurement, fabrication, integration, test.
• Experience with earned value management (EVM) or equivalent cost/schedule control methods.
• Excellent communication skills; comfortable briefing executives and regulators.
• Able to obtain and maintain a "Q" and SCI level security clearance, which requires U.S. citizenship.

The ideal candidate will possess

• Advanced degree in nuclear, mechanical, or electrical engineering (or related technical field).
• Direct experience with test or prototype reactor programs (research reactors, Department of War, microreactors, NASA, or DOE prototype programs).
• Familiarity with nuclear QA programs (NQA-1), DOE order compliance, or NRC licensing processes.
• Experience managing subcontractors/fabrication vendors for large, custom hardware.

Physical Requirements

While performing the duties of this classification, the employee is frequently required to stand, walk, sit, stoop, kneel, bend, and work in an office and field/laboratory environment. The job requires hand/finger dexterity to keyboard or type, handle materials, manipulate tools, and reach with hands and arms. The job requires operation of job-related equipment and driving a vehicle. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds without assistance. Sufficient visual acuity and hearing capacity to perform the essential functions and interact with the public is required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Job Information

• The pay range for this position is: Level 4: $114,360 - $234,336/Level 5: $137,076 - $281,196. At Idaho National Laboratory compensation decisions are determined using factors such as education, relevant experience, and other credentials.
• TDP: This is a testing designated position; you will be required to submit to a pre-employment drug screen and periodic drug testing throughout the term of your employment.

Benefits and Relocation

• Medical, Dental, Vision, and Flexible Spending Accounts
• 401(k) with a 4.2% employer contribution and up to 4.8% match (regular positions) or self-contribute access (postdoctoral positions)
• Paid time off (personal leave)
• Employee Education Program (tuition assistance for eligible positions)
• Comprehensive Relocation Package
• Benefit eligibility subject to multiple factors, including employment status and position classification.

At this time, BEA will not sponsor any H1-B visas obtained outside of the United States of America (U.S.A.), including consular visas.

INL is a science-based, applied engineering national laboratory dedicated to supporting the U.S. Department of Energy's mission in nuclear energy research, science, and national defense. With more than 6,300 scientists, researchers, and support staff, the laboratory works with national and international governments, universities and industry partners to change the world's energy future and secure our nation's critical infrastructure.

INL Mission

Our mission is to discover, demonstrate and secure innovative nuclear energy solutions, other clean energy options and critical infrastructure.

INL Vision

Our vision is to change the world's energy future and secure our nation's critical infrastructure.

Selective Service Requirements

To be eligible for employment at INL males born after December 31, 1959 must have registered with the Selective Service System (SSS). For more information see www.sss.gov.

Equal Employment Opportunity

Idaho National Laboratory (INL) is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) employer. It is the policy of INL to provide equal employment opportunities to all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, protected veteran or disabled status, or genetic information.

Reasonable Accommodation

We will ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment. Please contact us to request accommodation.