Senior Program Manager

Idaho National Laboratory (INL) is seeking a Senior Technical Program Manager to lead one of the most consequential nuclear innovation programs in the country. This role sits at the center of the National Reactor Innovation Center (NRIC) including its Nuclear Energy Launch Pad - a national effort to accelerate the demonstration and deployment of advanced reactor technologies in the United States.
In this role, you will work directly with the companies, national laboratories, and federal agencies shaping the future of U.S. nuclear energy. You will manage a portfolio of high-priority programs, lead multidisciplinary teams, coordinate across DOE and industry partners, and help build the experimental infrastructure that U.S. reactor developers need to demonstrate and deploy next-generation nuclear technologies.
This is a rare opportunity to operate at the intersection of national energy policy, advanced nuclear technology, and real-world program execution - with meaningful impact on U.S. energy security and critical infrastructure.

Essential Job Functions and Responsibilities:

• Oversee a portfolio of new and rapidly expanding projects ensuring delivery on schedule and within budget.
• Implement and manage project changes and interventions to achieve successful project outputs.
• Proactively manage and execute sets of projects into integrated programs; identify and correct deviations from schedule and budget promptly.
• Implement and manage project changes and interventions to achieve successful program outcomes.
• Coordinate experimental campaigns using existing DOE facilities and sites, and develop new facilities and capabilities to support testing, demonstration, and operational reactor deployment.
• Support advanced reactor demonstration projects - including the NRIC Nuclear Energy Launch Pad - by coordinating work across national laboratories and leading teams to design purpose-built experimental infrastructure.
• Work with DOE in Washington, D.C. and Idaho to build and mature the NRIC Launch Pad USA pathway and support designated entities under that program.
• Coordinate the DOE authorization process for nuclear energy facilities, ensuring compliance with applicable requirements and alignment across relevant DOE program offices and site organizations.
• Engage with the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) to develop and advance pathways for transitioning facilities from DOE authorization to NRC licensing, supporting the long-term commercialization and deployment of advanced nuclear technologies.
• Support the development and advancement of nuclear energy projects across the United States, working with regional stakeholders, site owners, utilities, and government entities to identify opportunities, overcome barriers, and accelerate deployment of nuclear technologies at a national scale.
• Minimize the time required to build and operate novel reactor concepts.
• Ensure problems involving coordination, schedule, and priority-setting are resolved effectively by project teams.
• Obtain customer acceptance of completed work and oversee all turnover activities and final project closeout.
• Provide outyear planning to translate strategic vision into executable scopes of work and funding requirements.
• Track program deliverables using appropriate tools and ensure proper planning and scheduling for all operational activities.
• Prepare or direct the preparation of progress and special reports for customers and management, including DOE.
• Develop and implement strategic plans to optimize operational efficiency and align with INL's broader mission and business goals.
• Provide recommendations to project leadership to enable timely resolution of problems and issues.
• Interface with a broad range of partners including DOE, DOD, state governments, and private entities; coordinate among INL operations, research, and business organizations as well as external stakeholders.
• Build and maintain strong customer relationships; ensure all major correspondence and work relationships between INL management and customers are sustained throughout the duration of each program.
• Manage stakeholder expectations and apply conflict resolution skills to navigate competing interests effectively.
• Conduct periodic project and customer meetings to review progress, surface issues, and maintain alignment.
• Develop and lead project management, engineering, and operations teams to help industry and government partners meet their goals.
• Identify new opportunities and support growth by matching INL's unique capabilities to client needs and emerging gaps.
• Advise on emerging capabilities and support business development in a dynamic, agile technology deployment environment.
• Analyze organizational data to identify disparities and implement practical, experience-informed solutions.
  
  

Required:

• Bachelor's degree and 14 years, or Master's degree and 8 years, or PhD and 6 years relevant experience in Nuclear, Electrical, Chemical, Mechanical Engineering, or other related degree.

• Five (5) years of experience in technical program management.
• Demonstrated knowledge of project and portfolio management principles, methodologies, and tools, including the ability to manage interdependencies, competing priorities, and resource constraints across a portfolio of concurrent programs and projects.
• Familiarity with procedures addressing requirements management, configuration management, risk management, systems analysis, and verification and validation.
• Knowledge of nuclear regulatory frameworks, including DOE authorization processes for nuclear facilities and NRC licensing requirements, with an understanding of the regulatory pathways applicable to advanced reactor development and deployment.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills with demonstrated ability to prepare and present technical and programmatic reports.
• Strong critical thinking, collaboration, and stakeholder management skills.
• Demonstrated budget planning, prioritization, and schedule management abilities.
• Strict attention to detail with a commitment to continuous improvement.
• This position requires the ability to obtain and maintain a Department of Energy Q clearance, which requires U.S. Citizenship
  

The ideal candidate will possess:

• Experience working for or directly with the DOE, preferably at the HQ level.
• Experience leading projects in an environment with chemical, radiological, or other industrial hazards.
• Experience as a technical lead or system architect in nuclear or process technology development.
• Experience with construction project management.
• Project Management Professional (PMP) Certificate, Project Management Institute (PMI) Certification, or other equivalent certification.

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:

Idaho National Laboratory is hiring a Program Manager to work on our NRIC team. Our team works a 9x80 schedule located out of our Washington D.C. facility with every other Friday off.

• The pay range for this position is $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.

Other Information:

When applying to positions please provide a resume and answer all questions on the following screens. Applicants, who fail to provide a resume or answer the questions, may be deemed ineligible for consideration.