Program Lead - Nuclear Oversight Programs

Allegheny Science & Technology (AST) is seeking a Program Lead – Nuclear Oversight Programs to support the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), Office of Nuclear Energy (NE), in providing technical and programmatic oversight for advanced reactor and nuclear fuel cycle initiatives. This position will support DOE Reactor Pilot Programs, Fuel Line Pilot Programs, and Idaho National Laboratory (INL) Launch Pad activities.

The Program Lead will serve as a key technical and programmatic resource responsible for coordinating oversight activities, reviewing technical documentation, supporting site visits and assessments, and interfacing with DOE personnel, contractors, vendors, and industry partners. The ideal candidate will have strong experience supporting nuclear facility planning, construction, commissioning, startup, operations, transportation, and/or decommissioning activities.

This is a remote position with travel required to DOE facilities, INL, and vendor/developer locations as needed.

Duties & Responsibilities:

• Lead and coordinate technical oversight activities supporting DOE nuclear reactor and fuel cycle programs.
• Support DOE in the review and oversight of developer activities related to planning, construction, commissioning, startup, operations, shutdown, and decommissioning.
• Coordinate multidisciplinary reviews across areas such as nuclear safety, engineering, quality assurance, environmental compliance, conduct of operations, safeguards and security, radiation protection, criticality safety, maintenance, training, and readiness.
• Review technical documents, reports, safety management program deliverables, engineering deliverables, environmental documentation, cybersecurity/IT deliverables, and other project materials.
• Provide comments, recommendations, and independent analysis to support DOE decision-making.
• Participate in technical meetings, conference calls, site visits, facility walkdowns, inspections, assessments, and operational observations.
• Document oversight activities, findings, recommendations, meeting outcomes, and project status.
• Support start/restart readiness reviews, safety management program assessments, and operational readiness activities.
• Track project actions, risks, issues, deliverables, and status reporting requirements.
• Prepare monthly status reports, technical summaries, briefings, and other written deliverables.
• Interface with DOE representatives, national laboratory personnel, contractor teams, vendors, and other project stakeholders.
• Ensure work products are accurate, timely, technically sound, and aligned with DOE expectations.

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in Nuclear Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Environmental Engineering, or another closely related engineering or technical discipline. Master's degree preferred.
• Minimum of 15 years of progressively responsible experience supporting commercial nuclear, Department of Energy (DOE), National Laboratory, naval nuclear propulsion, or other complex nuclear or industrial programs.
• Demonstrated experience supporting or leading technical oversight activities for nuclear facility planning, construction, commissioning, startup, operations, maintenance, or decommissioning.
• Experience managing complex technical programs involving multiple stakeholders, government organizations, contractors, and industry partners.
• Working knowledge of nuclear safety principles, reactor operations, engineering management, quality assurance, regulatory compliance, environmental compliance, and risk management.
• Experience reviewing and evaluating technical documents, engineering analyses, safety basis documentation, licensing documents, project plans, or other regulatory deliverables.
• Demonstrated ability to provide independent technical analysis, recommendations, and oversight in support of complex engineering or nuclear programs.
• Strong technical writing, analytical, organizational, and verbal communication skills, with the ability to effectively communicate technical information to senior leadership and government stakeholders.
• Ability to work independently in a remote environment while supporting geographically dispersed project teams.
• Ability and willingness to travel to DOE facilities, Idaho National Laboratory, and contractor/vendor locations as required.
• Must be able to obtain and maintain DOE Building Access Only (BAO) credentials and any required site-specific access authorizations.
• U.S. Citizenship is required.

Desired Qualifications:

• Professional Engineer (PE) license.
• Master's degree in Engineering, Nuclear Engineering, Environmental Engineering, or a related technical discipline.
• Experience supporting the U.S. Department of Energy, Office of Nuclear Energy, Idaho Operations Office, Idaho National Laboratory, Naval Nuclear Propulsion Program, or other federal nuclear organizations.
• Experience supporting advanced reactor technologies, nuclear fuel cycle programs, reactor operations, nuclear infrastructure projects, or large-scale energy programs.
• Experience conducting technical assessments, facility walkdowns, operational observations, readiness reviews, or independent oversight activities.
• Familiarity with DOE Orders, NRC regulations, NQA-1, conduct of operations, safety management programs, or other applicable nuclear industry standards.
• Experience leading multidisciplinary engineering teams and coordinating large, technically complex projects or programs.
• Active or previously held DOE or DoD security clearance.
• Project Management Professional (PMP), Certified Manager (CM), or other relevant project/program management certification.

Multiple factors contribute to determining the final pay for a position. These include, but are not limited to, relevant work experience, skills, certifications, and competencies that align with the specific role, geographic location, educational background, and contract provisions related to labor categories specific to the position. We are committed to offering a competitive compensation package that reflects the value and expertise that each candidate brings to our team. 

The pay range for this position based on full-time employment is $190,000 - $210,000.