Technical Program Manager Defense and Space

Idaho National Laboratory is hiring a Technical Program Manager Defense and Space to work on our Nuclear Defense and Space team. Our team works a 9x80 schedule located out of Washington DC with every other Friday off.

INL is seeking a highly skilled Technical Program Manager to lead the technical scope nuclear microreactor demonstration projects and drive cross-disciplinary integration for successful project execution. As a Technical Program Manager (TPM) for Nuclear microreactor demonstrations, you will oversee all technical aspects of the project, ensuring the successful design, development, testing, and deployment of next-generation nuclear microreactors at INL. The TPM will serve as the central point of coordination, integrating efforts across microreactor design and fabrication vendors, and INL's engineering, regulatory compliance, safety, manufacturing, and other disciplines to meet project milestones, budget, and performance goals. This role requires deep technical expertise, strong leadership, and ability to navigate complex, highly regulated environments.

INL is a leader in demonstrating innovative energy solutions, dedicated to advancing clean, safe, and sustainable nuclear energy through cutting-edge microreactor technology for space or defense applications. Our mission is to demonstrate compact, scalable, and reliable power solutions to meet energy demands.

Responsibilities Include:

• Define, manage, and execute technical work scope for the nuclear microreactor demonstration project(s), including reactor design and licensing, reactor construction, reactor startup, reactor shut down, and reactor decontamination and decommissioning.
• Ensure technical deliverables meet safety, performance, and regulatory requirements, adhering to applicable standards.
• Collaborate with subject matter experts to resolve technical challenges and drive innovation in demonstrating microreactor technology at INL.
• Coordinate and integrate efforts across diverse multi-disciplined teams such as nuclear engineering, mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, nuclear safety, manufacturing, and nuclear operations.
• Proactively manage and execute sets of projects into programs on schedule and within assigned budgets. Act as appropriate to correct deviations from schedule and budget. Provide recommendations to project management to allow timely resolution of problems and issues. Use appropriate conflict resolution skills to manage competing stakeholder interests.
• Direct or support engineering projects related to upgrading facilities, constructing new facilities to include planning, budgeting, procuring, and managing projects.
• Aid in developing research, engineering, and operations teams to help partners meet their goals.
• Interface with partners (DOE, DOD, and others) and coordinate among INL operations, research, and business organizations to support programs in the area of specialty.
• Track and report project progress to senior leadership, stakeholders, and regulatory bodies, providing clear and concise updates on technical and integration status.
• Prepare or direct the preparation of progress and special reports to customers and management.
• Ensure that laboratory requirements and standards for the management of projects are met and are consistently applied in the acceptance and integration of work. Integrate managed scope with ongoing and evolving mission needs.
• Ensure that all customer contact, including major correspondence and work relationships between management and the customer, is maintained throughout the duration of the program. Conduct periodic project and customer meetings to review progress and discuss issues. Ensure problems involving coordination, schedule, and the setting of priorities are resolved by the project teams. Obtain the customer's acceptance of the work and document all turnover activities. Responsible for the preparation and submission of the final project reports and prompt close-out of the projects supporting the program.
• Work closely with regulatory teams to ensure compliance with nuclear safety standards, licensing requirements, and environmental regulations.
• Oversee the development of technical documentation, including design specifications, safety analyses, and licensing submissions.
• Ensure all technical work adheres to best practices for nuclear safety and risk management.
• Identify new opportunities and support growth in a dynamic and necessarily agile security R&D business environment. Match INL unique capabilities with capability gaps and needs of clients. Advise on emerging capabilities.
• Analyze data to understand organizational disparities and implement solutions to address the identified disparity. Combine data analysis with experience/knowledge to deliver reliable and executable solutions.
• Develop teams as appropriate to successfully complete projects.
• Coach other managers, support succession planning, and actively develop future leaders at INL.
• This posting closes: 9/3/25

Minimum Requirements:

• Level 4: Bachelor's degree in business management, project management, or related field from an accredited institution and 9 years of relevant experience; or a Master's degree in business management, project management, or related field from an accredited institution and 6 years of relevant experience; or a PhD in business management, project management, or related field from an accredited institution and 4 years of relevant experience
• Level 5: Bachelor's degree in business management, project management, or related field from an accredited institution and 14 years of relevant experience; or a Master's degree in business management, project management, or related field from an accredited institution and 8 years of relevant experience; or a PhD in in business management, project management, or related field from an accredited institution.
• A minimum of 7 years of experience in program or project management within nuclear energy, or other highly technical and regulated industry.
• Proven track record of managing complex, multidisciplinary technical projects from concept to completion.
• This position requires the ability to obtain and maintain a Department of Energy "Q" clearance, which requires US Citizenship.

The ideal candidate will possess:

• PMP, Agile, or similar project management certifications are a plus.
• Experience with small modular reactors (SMRs) or microreactor technology.
• Knowledge of advanced manufacturing techniques, such as additive manufacturing for nuclear applications.
• Familiarity with renewable energy integration or hybrid energy systems and their application to a military installation.
• Experience with nuclear reactor design, safety analysis, or licensing processes is highly desirable.

Job Information:

• The pay range for this position is: Level 4 ($111,888 - $229,284) / Level 5 ($134,124 - $275,136). 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.
• Multi-Level: This is a multi-level posting and you will be placed at the appropriate level dependent on depth and breadth of proven experience and skills.

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.

Benefits and Relocation

• Medical, Dental, Vision, and Flexible Spending Accounts
• 401(k) with a 4.2% employer contribution and up to 4.8% match
• Paid time off (personal leave)
• Employee Education Program (tuition assistance)
• Comprehensive Relocation Package
• Benefit eligibility subject multiple factors, including employment status and position classification.

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.

INL does not accept resumes from third party vendors unsolicited.