Senior Engineering Manager, Nuclear
Kbr· startup· Defense· Oct 7, 2026 · 21d ago
Houston, Texas
In office
Full-time
Manager
$196K–$250K est.
15+ years exp
Job description
Title:
Senior Engineering Manager, Nuclear
KBR Sustainable Technology Solutions (STS) provides holistic and value-added solutions across the entire asset life cycle. These include world-class licensed process technologies, differentiated advisory services, deep technical domain expertise, energy transition solutions, high-end design capabilities, and smart solutions to optimize planned and operating assets
KBR is seeking a highly accomplished Senior Engineering Manager with a minimum of 15 years of progressive engineering experience, including significant leadership responsibilities within the nuclear power industry. The successful candidate will possess extensive experience supporting the development, licensing, design, procurement, construction, commissioning, and startup of Advanced Modular Reactors (AMR), Small Modular Reactors (SMR), and next-generation nuclear technologies.
This Senior Engineering Manager, Nuclear serves as the technical leader for multidisciplinary engineering organizations, providing overall responsibility for the safe, compliant, and efficient delivery of major nuclear energy projects. The role acts as the primary technical interface with clients, reactor technology suppliers, utilities, regulators, engineering partners, and executive leadership, while ensuring adherence to nuclear codes, standards, regulatory requirements, and systems engineering principles. Accountable for engineering quality, safety, schedule performance, budget compliance, and engineering governance, this position drives successful project execution across the full project lifecycle.
Functional job responsibilities will include but are not limited to:
Lead and provide technical direction to multidisciplinary engineering teams, including Nuclear, Mechanical, Process, Electrical, Instrumentation & Controls (I&C), Civil/Structural, Systems, Safety Analysis, and Plant Integration disciplines.
Serve as the Engineering Manager and Design Authority for major nuclear energy projects, ensuring safe, compliant, and efficient execution throughout the project lifecycle.
Establish and oversee engineering execution strategies, technical standards, governance processes, policies, and procedures to support consistent project delivery and engineering excellence.
Direct engineering activities from feasibility studies and front-end engineering through detailed design, procurement, construction support, commissioning, startup, and operational readiness.
Lead engineering efforts supporting Advanced Reactor, Small Modular Reactor (SMR), and Advanced Modular Reactor (AMR) programs.
Manage engineering interfaces with clients, reactor technology suppliers, utilities, EPC contractors, regulatory agencies, licensors, OEMs, and external engineering partners.
Develop and manage engineering staffing plans, resource forecasts, succession strategies, and capability development initiatives to ensure organizational readiness and long-term growth.
Oversee engineering budgets, schedules, technical risks, and performance metrics, ensuring deliverables meet project objectives for safety, quality, cost, operability, maintainability, and reliability.
Champion a strong nuclear safety culture and ensure application of defense-in-depth principles, process safety, mechanical integrity, and industrial safety practices across all project phases.
Ensure compliance with applicable nuclear, engineering, and industry standards and regulations, including NRC, DOE, CNSC, IAEA, ASME, ANSI, ANS, ISO, NFPA, OSHA, and IEC requirements, as applicable.
Lead and participate in design reviews, HAZOPs, PHAs, constructability reviews, readiness assessments, and other technical assurance activities.
Support nuclear licensing strategies and regulatory engagements, including interactions with domestic and international regulatory authorities.
Provide strategic engineering leadership during procurement, fabrication, construction, commissioning, startup, and operational readiness activities, including resolution of complex technical issues, RFIs, design changes, and non-conformance reports.
Ensure engineering documentation, design deliverables, and configuration management records are accurate, complete, and aligned with quality management requirements.
Present technical solutions, project status, risk assessments, and engineering recommendations to executive leadership, clients, and key project stakeholders.
Drive continuous improvement, innovation, and quality initiatives while mentoring and developing engineering personnel and future technical leaders.
Support change management, risk mitigation, and the resolution of complex technical and project execution challenges to achieve successful project outcomes.
Required Education, Experience, & Skills:
Bachelor’s degree in Engineering or equivalent. Technical Management, or related technical fields may also be considered with extensive proven relevant experience.
Minimum 15 years of progressive engineering experience in nuclear, industrial or heavy manufacturing environments.
Demonstrated experience supporting:
Advanced Modular Reactors (AMR)
Small Modular Reactors (SMR)
Generation IV Reactor Technologies
Large Nuclear Capital Projects
Proven experience managing engineering teams on large-scale capital projects
Strong knowledge of EPC execution models and stage-gated project development.
Demonstrated ability to lead complex projects through execution and commissioning.
Experience leading first-of-a-kind (FOAK) nuclear projects
Preferred Education, Experience, & Skills:
Professional Engineer (PE) license.
Advanced Degree (MS or MBA) preferred.
Demonstrated experience supporting:
Advanced Modular Reactors (AMR)
Small Modular Reactors (SMR)
Generation IV Reactor Technologies
Large Nuclear Capital Projects
Prior experience working with international vendors and global engineering teams.
Familiarity with digital engineering tools (3D modeling, model-based reviews, document control platforms).
Familiarity with AFE development, cost control, scheduling (Primavera P6 or MS Project), and contractor oversight.
Decarbonization – Energy Transition – Sustainability
KBR Benefits
KBR offers a selection of competitive lifestyle benefits which could include 401K plan with company match, medical, dental, vision, life insurance, AD&D, flexible spending account, disability, paid time off, or flexible work schedule. We support career advancement through professional training and development.
Click here to learn more: KBR Benefits
Belong, Connect and Grow at KBR
At KBR, we are passionate about our people and our Zero Harm culture. These inform all that we do and are at the heart of our commitment to, and ongoing journey toward being a People First company. That commitment is central to our team of team’s philosophy and fosters an environment where everyone can Belong, Connect and Grow. We Deliver – Together.
KBR is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, disability, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, national origin, veteran status, genetic information, union status and/or beliefs, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law.
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Benefits
Benefits detected in the listing.
Dental
Vision
401k
Paid Time Off