Senior Manager, Operational Readiness

X-energy; Oak Ridge (TN); On-site; USD 170,000 - 223,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

401K with employer match

Medical/Dental/Vision Insurance

Life and Disability Insurance

Paid Time Off

Tuition Reimbursement

Job summary

X Energy in Oak Ridge is seeking a Senior Readiness Manager to lead the facility readiness program. You will drive readiness reviews, coordinate a mixed team, and ensure training, procedures, and regulatory commitments are in place before operations begin.

You will oversee cross‑functional coordination with operations, maintenance, engineering, and regulatory teams, driving continuous improvement while upholding a strict nuclear safety culture and compliant governance.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering or related technical field.
• Advanced degree preferred in engineering/physical sciences.
• Ten-plus years in regulated nuclear, chemical, or manufacturing environments.

Responsibilities

• Lead the facility operational readiness program, developing readiness reviews, criteria and checklists.
• Supervise a blended team of direct-hire and subcontracted personnel; manage performance.
• Oversee readiness reviews and assessments for new systems and operations.
• Define and track core readiness criteria: equipment, procedures, staffing, safety controls, and regulatory prerequisites.
• Verify commissioning, testing, and turnover before start of operations.
• Ensure trained, qualified, and adequately staffed operations and maintenance personnel.

Skills

Readiness management

Team leadership

Regulatory compliance

Nuclear safety culture

Stakeholder communication

Multidisciplinary teams

Decision making

Project coordination

Education

Bachelor’s degree in engineering

Advanced degree in engineering/physical sciences

Job description

Job Description

The TRISO-X Senior Readiness Manager leads the operational readiness program which ensures that systems, personnel, procedures, and documentation are fully prepared and verified before the start of new operations, process turnovers, and phased transitions to continuous production. Acting as the central authority on readiness, this position drives the structured review and demonstration that equipment, staffing, training, procedures, safety controls, and regulatory commitments are in place and effective prior to authorization to operate.

This position will lead a team of both direct-hire employees and subcontracted personnel. The Senior Readiness Manager is responsible for directing, developing, and overseeing this combined workforce, and is accountable for its performance, assignments, and integration into the facility readiness mission as the organization grows.

While performing the duties of this job, the individual must meet physical standards (e.g. be able to talk, hear, walk, and move consistently throughout the day). Workers may be subject to high temperatures, noises, and vibrations from generating equipment and may be subject to the handling of and exposure to hazardous and radioactive materials. Work may involve extended periods of standing, frequent bending/stooping, repetitive hand/arm movements, and movements requiring fine motor control.

Job Profile Tasks/Responsibilities:

• Own and lead the facility operational readiness program, including the development, implementation, and continuous improvement of readiness review methodologies, criteria, and checklists.
• Lead, supervise, and develop a combined team of direct-hire employees, subcontracted, and matrixed personnel; assign work, set priorities, manage performance, and integrate the team into the facility readiness mission.
• Provide oversight and direction of subcontracted personnel to ensure their work aligns with facility requirements, quality standards, and readiness objectives.
• Plan, schedule, and execute readiness reviews and readiness assessments for new systems, process areas, and operational phases prior to authorization to operate.
• Define and track objective readiness criteria (core requirements) covering equipment, procedures, training and qualification, staffing, spare parts, safety controls, and regulatory prerequisites.
• Verify that facility, process, and safety equipment have completed required commissioning, testing, and turnover before being placed in service.
• Confirm that operators, maintenance, and support personnel are trained, qualified, and adequately staffed to support the activity being assessed for readiness.
• Verify that all required Operations procedures — standard operating, abnormal, alarm response, and emergency response — are approved, validated, and in place prior to start of operations.
• Lead readiness review boards and coordinate independent verification, documenting findings, open items, and pre-start and post-start corrective actions.
• Track readiness findings and open items to closure, escalating unresolved or high-risk items to facility and executive leadership as needed.
• Ensure readiness activities satisfy NRC license conditions and applicable regulatory commitments.
• Coordinate closely with operations, maintenance, engineering, quality, and regulatory teams to integrate readiness across all disciplines.
• As requested, support and lead safety walkdowns, management observations, and pre-operational field verifications.
• Serve as subject matter expert for readiness during audits, assessments, and inspections by internal auditing programs and external regulatory agencies.
• Develop and deliver readiness training and mentoring for review team members and line personnel.
• Establish and report readiness metrics, status, and risks to facility leadership, supporting schedule and milestone attainment.
• Champion a strong nuclear safety culture, reinforcing conservative decision‑making, procedural compliance, and stop‑work authority when readiness is not demonstrated.
• Protect sensitive information, including security‑related and export‑controlled data, in accordance with regulatory and company requirements.
• Perform other duties as assigned to support plant operations and organizational goals.

Job Profile Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering or a related science or technical field.
• Minimum of 10 years of professional experience in nuclear operations, startup/commissioning, operational readiness, or a closely related function within a regulated nuclear, chemical, or manufacturing environment.
• Demonstrated experience leading or supervising teams, including direct reports and/or contracted personnel.
• Demonstrated experience leading or supporting operational readiness reviews, startup reviews, or management/operational readiness assessments.
• Strong working knowledge of nuclear safety, quality systems, procedural compliance, and regulatory requirements (e.g., NRC). Demonstrated ability to lead multidisciplinary teams and drive findings and corrective actions to closure.
• Ability to make sound, conservative decisions and manage multiple competing priorities simultaneously.
• Ability to work an on‑site, 5‑day‑per‑week schedule in Oak Ridge, TN with periods of significant overtime.
• Strong communication skills and the ability to collaborate across operations, maintenance, engineering, quality, and regulatory organizations.
• Advanced degree in engineering, a physical science, or a related field.
• Fifteen or more years of experience with at least ten years in nuclear operations, startup, or readiness roles.
• Direct experience within nuclear fuel cycle operations, nuclear manufacturing, or TRISO fuel production.
• Experience applying formal readiness frameworks (e.g., DOE/NRC operational readiness review or management self‑assessment methodologies).
• Prior leadership or supervisory experience managing both direct‑hire and subcontracted staff.
• Experience with regulatory compliance and direct interface with stakeholders (customers and regulators)
• Experience implementing Conduct of Operations and reinforcing a Nuclear Safety Culture

Location

151 Lafayette Drive, Suite 300, Oak Ridge, TN

Work Site Expectations

5 days in office

Travel

10% potential

Hours

8:00am-5:00pm, Mon-Fri

Compensation

As required by Maryland and other applicable state law, X Energy, LLC (X‑energy) lists the expected compensation range for a publicly advertised job opportunity based upon the job requirements (e.g. education/training, experience, skill sets, etc.). Individual candidates who meet the job requirements for the posted position will be offered a salary within this range based on their respective levels of education/training, experience, and other qualifications unique to them. Salary ranges may vary based on the specific office location and region referenced in the posting to take into consideration differences in cost of living and may not be reflective of all regions. Please note that compensation ranges listed for US job postings reflect base salary only and do not include benefits or other incentives.

Offers within the posted salary range are commensurate with the individual’s qualifications for the position, along with a view on internal equity, market data, and room for growth. The salary range for this position is:

$170,000 - $223,125

Position Job Classification

Full time - Exempt

Benefits

X Energy, LLC offers a robust benefits package that includes a 401K plan with an employer match, Medical/Dental /Vision Insurance, Life and Disability Insurance, Paid Time Off, and a Tuition Reimbursement/Professional Development policy that supports the continuing education of our employees.

An Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, or protected veteran status and will not be discriminated against on the basis of disability.

X Energy, LLC participates in E-Verify. Please visit the links below for more information about E-Verify and the protection of your Right to Work.

Right To Work Link: If you have the right to work, don’t let anyone take it away (e-verify.gov)

E-Verify Participation Link: E-Verify Participation Poster English and Spanish