SVP, Nuclear New Build Program

Alva Energy; Cambridge (MA); On-site; USD 150,000 - 200,000; Full time

Job summary

Alva Energy in Cambridge, Massachusetts, is seeking a senior leader to direct our Nuclear New Build Program. This role involves leading a multidisciplinary team and managing relationships with partners in large-scale project delivery.

The ideal candidate will have at least 5 years of experience in engineering or program management within regulated industries, a strong background in capital projects, and the ability to navigate complex engineering environments.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of experience in project delivery within energy or regulated industries.
• Demonstrated experience managing large-scale engineering programs ($500M+).
• Ability to build high-performing teams in a start-up context.

Responsibilities

• Lead the nuclear new build program from feasibility to construction.
• Oversee digital design evaluations and regulatory compliance.
• Manage EPC partner relationships and project execution.

Skills

Large-scale capital project delivery

Engineering management

Regulatory compliance

Team leadership

Digital engineering environments

Education

Bachelor's degree in engineering (nuclear, mechanical, civil/structural, electrical, or chemical)

Job description

Position Summary

We are seeking a senior leader with deep experience in large‑scale capital project delivery to lead our Nuclear New Build Program. This individual will serve as the program's senior responsible owner, directing the evaluation of existing digital design, engineering, and procurement assets from an international nuclear construction program to assess their viability for U.S. deployment. Reporting to the CEO, the successful candidate will build and lead a multidisciplinary team, manage relationships with EPC partners and prospective utility customers, and drive the program from early‑stage feasibility assessment through utility partnership development, long‑lead item procurement, and eventual construction. Prior nuclear experience is valued but not required – we are equally interested in leaders from adjacent heavy industrial sectors (LNG, petrochemical, semiconductor fabrication, aerospace, or large infrastructure) who bring disciplined program execution, engineering rigor, and the drive to learn a new domain.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the overall nuclear new build program, setting strategic direction from feasibility assessment through utility partnerships, long‑lead item procurement, and construction readiness.
• Direct the assessment of digital design and engineering assets for completeness, fidelity, and applicability to a U.S. regulatory and construction context.
• Oversee regulatory and code compliance gap analyses, working with subject matter experts to evaluate alignment with applicable U.S. codes, standards, and licensing requirements.
• Lead procurement and supply chain evaluations, assessing the availability, capability, and readiness of the modern domestic and global supply chain against reference plant specifications.
• Recruit, hire, and develop a high‑performing program team, scaling the organization as the program advances through successive phases.
• Manage the integrated work plan and day‑to‑day relationship with the EPC partner, ensuring alignment on scope, schedule, deliverables, and quality.

Required Qualifications

• 5+ years of progressive experience in large‑scale capital project delivery, engineering, construction, or program management in nuclear, energy, heavy industrial, or comparable complex regulated industries.
• Demonstrated experience managing large‑scale engineering or EPC programs ($500M+), including multi‑party coordination across owners, contractors, and regulators.
• Experience with digital engineering environments (3D plant design systems, engineering databases, digital asset management) and the ability to evaluate the maturity and transferability of complex design data sets.
• Proven ability to build and lead teams in a start‑up or greenfield program context.
• Intellectual curiosity and willingness to develop deep expertise in nuclear regulatory and technical frameworks if not already held.
• Bachelor's degree in engineering (nuclear, mechanical, civil/structural, electrical, or chemical).

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in the nuclear power industry, including familiarity with NRC regulatory frameworks (10 CFR 50/52), nuclear codes and standards (ASME Section III, IEEE, ACI 349), or nuclear licensing processes.
• Prior involvement in an international megaproject or new build program in any heavy industrial sector.
• Experience with plant configuration management, as‑built verification, or design basis reconstitution.
• Familiarity with nuclear design control documents and safety analysis processes.
• Prior executive or senior leadership role at a utility, EPC firm, OEM, or NSSS vendor.