Program Manager, Special Projects

BWX Technologies, Inc.; Jonesborough (TN); On-site; USD 110,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

BWX Technologies, Inc. (BWXT) seeks a Program Manager, Special Projects in Jonesborough, TN. The role leads high‑priority initiatives, aligning cross‑functional teams and executive stakeholders to deliver complex programs on time and within budget.

On‑site requirements and clear governance are essential for success. The position emphasizes rapid assessment, structured planning, and disciplined execution, with accountability for cost, schedule, and risk.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in a related field from an accredited institution.
• Significant progressive experience managing complex technical, engineering, manufacturing, or government initiatives.
• Demonstrated experience leading cross-functional teams in a matrixed organization.
• Proven ability to operate in ambiguous environments and convert objectives into execution plans.
• Strong knowledge of program/project management principles including scope, schedule, cost, risk, change, and resources.

Responsibilities

• Leads special projects from initiation through execution, stabilization, and transition.
• Clarifies objectives, scope, constraints, stakeholders, risks, and required outcomes.
• Performs rapid assessments to define current condition, priorities, gaps, and required decisions.
• Transforms executive direction into structured plans with clear ownership and governance.
• Builds integrated schedules, decomposes scope, and manages critical path.
• Leads recovery of distressed projects with root-cause analysis and recovery plans.
• Supports introduction of new programs, products, and customer requirements into execution systems.
• Provides strategic analysis with clear alternatives, impacts, and recommendations.
• Manages cost, schedule, and financial performance with accurate forecasts.

Skills

Cross-functional leadership

Program management

Executive reporting

Risk & change management

Stakeholder management

Education

Bachelor's degree

Job description

At BWX Technologies, Inc. (NYSE: BWXT), we are People Strong, Innovation Driven. A U.S.-based company, BWXT is a Fortune 1000 and Defense News Top 100 manufacturing and engineering innovator that provides safe and effective nuclear solutions for global security, clean energy, environmental restoration, nuclear medicine and space exploration. With more than 7,800 employees, BWXT has 14 major operating sites in the U.S., Canada and the U.K. We are the sole manufacturer of naval nuclear reactors for U.S. submarines and aircraft carriers. Our company supplies precision manufactured components, services and fuel for the commercial nuclear power industry across four continents. Our joint ventures provide environmental restoration and operations management at a dozen U.S. Department of Energy and NASA facilities. BWXT’s technology is driving advances in medical radioisotope production in North America and microreactors for various defense and space applications. For more information, visit www.bwxt.com . Follow us on LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/company/bwx-technologies/mycompany/?viewAsMember=true) , X (https://twitter.com/BWXT) , Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/BWXTech) and Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/bwxtechnologies/).

Welcome to BWXT

We believe in empowering our employees and cultivating a dynamic workplace that fosters growth and collaboration. Whether you’re an experienced professional or just starting your career, you'll find opportunities to challenge yourself, learn from seasoned experts, and contribute to nuclear innovation. We required a diverse range of skills to support our work in the markets that drive our business and welcome candidates from all backgrounds and life stages who are passionate about making a difference.

Position Overview:

The Program Manager, Special Projects leads high‑priority, complex, or non‑routine initiatives within BWXT NOG‑J. Reporting to the Director, Programs, the role provides focused leadership for efforts requiring accelerated execution, cross‑functional coordination, elevated management attention, or enterprise‑level approaches outside established program structures. This position may manage multiple diverse assignments, including new product introduction, distressed project recovery, customer initiatives, capability improvements, major technical issue resolution, transitions, proposal handoffs, and special studies.

Serving as a senior integrator, the role brings clarity to ambiguous situations, structures work, aligns stakeholders, and drives execution. It requires strong program management fundamentals, broad judgment, technical curiosity, disciplined execution, and executive‑level communication.

Location:

On‑site in Jonesborough, Tennessee

Your Day to Day as a Program Manager, Special Projects:

• Leads special projects from initiation through execution, stabilization, and transition.
• Clarifies objectives, scope, constraints, stakeholders, risks, and required outcomes.
• Performs rapid assessments to define current condition, priorities, gaps, and needed decisions.
• Transforms executive direction into structured plans with clear ownership and governance.
• Builds integrated schedules, decomposes scope, aligns cross‑functional deliverables, and manages critical path.
• Leads recovery of distressed projects, establishing root causes, recovery plans, and short‑interval controls.
• Supports introduction of new programs, products, and customer requirements into execution systems.
• Provides strategic analysis and decision support with clear alternatives, impacts, and recommendations.
• Manages cost, schedule, and financial performance, ensuring accurate forecasts and early exposure identification.
• Integrates technical decisions, engineering needs, and cross‑functional evaluations into project plans.
• Coordinates with Operations, Manufacturing, and Supply Chain to ensure readiness and remove constraints.
• Maintains disciplined risk, issue, and decision management, escalating matters with actionable options.
• Controls scope and change management, preventing informal growth and embedding approved changes.
• Aligns cross‑functional resources, resolves conflicts, and drives action through influence.
• Provides clear executive reporting, stakeholder communication, and defined transition/closeout criteria.
• Makes timely, well‑supported decisions within delegated authority and identifies when executive escalation is required.
• Coaches and mentors project personnel, reinforcing disciplined program‑management practices and developing future leadership capability.

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Business, Program/Project Management, Operations, or a related discipline from an accredited institution.
• Significant progressive experience managing complex technical, engineering, manufacturing, government, or strategic business initiatives.
• Demonstrated experience leading cross‑functional teams in a matrixed organization.
• Demonstrated success operating in ambiguous environments and converting incomplete or evolving objectives into structured execution plans.
• Strong knowledge of program and project management principles, including scope, schedule, cost, risk, change, stakeholder, and resource management.
• Experience developing integrated schedules, milestones, recovery plans, and executive‑level project reporting.
• Experience with financial management, budgeting, forecasting, cost analysis, or business‑case development.
• Demonstrated ability to identify emerging problems, determine root causes, and drive cross‑functional corrective action.
• Strong written, verbal, facilitation, and executive‑presentation skills.
• Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively with technical personnel, operations personnel, executives, customers, and external stakeholders.
• Strong analytical, organizational, negotiation, and structured problem‑solving capabilities.
• Demonstrated ability to make timely, risk‑informed decisions with incomplete information.
• Ability to manage multiple competing priorities and move effectively between strategic and detailed execution topics.
• Ability to meet applicable BWXT employment, security, access, and regulatory requirements associated with the position.
• Must be a U.S. citizen.
• Must be able to obtain and maintain a Department of Energy (D.O.E.) security clearance.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Bachelor's or advanced degree in an engineering discipline.
• Master's degree in Engineering, Business Administration, Program Management, Operations, or a related field.
• Project Management Professional (PMP) certification or comparable program management credential.
• Experience managing programs or projects within the nuclear, defense, Department of Energy, Department of Defense, aerospace, or other highly regulated industries.
• Experience with nuclear component manufacturing, complex engineered products, or high‑consequence production environments.
• Experience leading distressed‑project recovery, turnaround, or rapid‑response initiatives.
• Experience with new product introduction, program startup, manufacturing readiness, or transition from development to production.
• Experience with Earned Value Management Systems, integrated master scheduling, critical‑path analysis, and estimate‑at‑completion development.
• Experience managing major government contracts, proposals, scope changes, negotiations, or customer commitments.
• Experience with supplier recovery, capital projects, facilities integration, or site capability development.
• Experience preparing decision packages or strategic recommendations for senior executives.
• Previous experience leading multiple project managers or major cross‑functional workstreams.

What We Offer:

• Competitive salary and benefits package, including health, dental, and retirement plans.
• Flexible work schedules and paid time off to promote a healthy work‑life balance.
• Professional development opportunities, including mentorship programs and sponsorship for continuing education.
• An inclusive atmosphere that celebrates new perspectives and supports collaboration between different generations.
• The chance to be part of a mission‑driven organization making a positive impact on the future of energy.
• Opportunities for continuous learning and training to grow throughout your career!

Pay: $[[cust_salaryMin]] - $[[cust_salaryMax]]

The base salary range for this position in [[stateProvince]] at the start of employment is expected to be between $[[cust_salaryMin]] and $[[cust_salaryMax]] per year. However, the base salary offered is based on local job market factors, and may vary further depending on factors specific to the selected job candidate, such as job‑related knowledge, skills, experience, and other objective business considerations. Subject to these considerations, the total compensation package for this position may also include other elements, such as an annual cash incentive in addition to a full range of medical, retirement, and/or other benefits. Details of participation in these benefit plans will be provided at such time the selected job candidate receives an offer of employment. If hired, the selected job candidate will be employed 'at‑will,’ unless employed at a location and in a position subject to a collective bargaining agreement. The company further reserves the right to modify base salary (as well as any other discretionary payment, compensation or benefit program) at any time, including for reasons related to individual performance, company or individual department/team performance, and other market factors.

All candidates must be U.S. citizens. Selected applicants are required to successfully complete a pre‑employment check and drug screening. In addition, the position may require the ability to obtain and maintain applicable federal eligibility requirements for access to classified/sensitive information or matter which involves an extensive criminal and financial background investigation, drug test, previous employment, and reference verifications.

BWXT is committed to the concept of Equal Employment Opportunity. We have established procedures to ensure that all personnel actions such as recruitment, compensation, career development, benefits, company-sponsored training and social recreational programs are administered without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, citizenship, age, disability, protected veteran or other protected status.