Nuclear Safety Manager

Aalo Atomics is pioneering a new era in clean energy with factory-fabricated microreactors designed to deliver affordable, scalable, and reliable nuclear power. Our mission is to make nuclear energy globally accessible, starting with the Aalo-1, a 10 MWe reactor leveraging cutting-edge safety, modularity, and efficiency. Based in Austin, TX, we’re rapidly growing as we work to deploy the world’s first fleet of advanced microreactors. Join us and help revolutionize energy for a sustainable future.

About the role

We are seeking a Nuclear Safety Manager to lead the development, implementation, and oversight of nuclear safety programs at the Aalo-X campus. Reporting to the Director of Nuclear Safety Engineering within the Nuclear Operations organization, this is a hands‑on leadership role responsible for ensuring that Aalo's nuclear facilities operate within an approved safety basis, maintain compliance with DOE nuclear safety requirements, and uphold the highest standards of nuclear safety culture. This is a working manager position — in addition to leading the nuclear safety team, you will personally perform and document safety analyses, USQ evaluations, and other core nuclear safety technical work.

The Nuclear Safety Manager will serve as the primary authority on safety basis documentation, unreviewed safety question processes, and nuclear facility hazard analysis. You will build and lead a team of nuclear safety professionals, interface directly with DOE and regulatory stakeholders, and play a central role in guiding Aalo through facility readiness assessments and operational approvals. This position requires deep expertise in DOE nuclear safety frameworks and the ability to both perform detailed technical safety work and translate complex regulatory requirements into practical, effective safety programs for a first‑of‑a‑kind microreactor deployment.

What you'll do

• Lead the development, review, and maintenance of safety basis documents, including Documented Safety Analyses, Technical Safety Requirements, and supporting hazard and accident analyses.
• Personally author, review, and approve safety basis analyses, technical evaluations, and safety assessment documents.
• Manage the Unreviewed Safety Question program, ensuring all proposed changes to the facility, procedures, and operations are properly screened and evaluated in accordance with 10 CFR 830.
• Perform and document USQ screenings and evaluations, including serving as a subject matter expert reviewer for evaluations prepared by other team members.
• Serve as the senior nuclear safety authority for the Aalo‑X campus, providing expert guidance on safety basis interpretation, implementation, and compliance.
• Build, mentor, and lead a team of nuclear safety analysts and engineers, fostering a culture of technical rigor, continuous improvement, and safety consciousness.
• Conduct hazard identification, categorization, and analysis activities, including consequence and likelihood assessments for nuclear facility operations.
• Direct the identification, classification, and functional requirements for safety‑class and safety‑significant structures, systems, and components.
• Interface with DOE field and headquarters organizations on safety basis submittals, approval processes, and regulatory interactions.
• Support facility readiness assessments, operational readiness reviews, and other startup authorization activities.
• Oversee the integration of nuclear safety requirements into facility design, construction, commissioning, and operations through coordination with engineering and project teams.
• Participate in facility walkdowns, design reviews, and operational assessments to verify implementation of safety basis requirements.
• Manage the safety system oversight program, ensuring that safety systems are properly maintained, tested, and documented.
• Develop and maintain nuclear safety procedures, training materials, and qualification programs for safety basis personnel.
• Evaluate and disposition Potential Inadequacies in the Safety Analysis and implement compensatory measures as needed.
• Support the development and implementation of the Integrated Safety Management System.
• Coordinate criticality safety program activities, including reviews of fissile material handling and storage operations.
• Maintain awareness of evolving DOE requirements, industry best practices, and lessons learned from across the DOE complex to continuously strengthen Aalo's nuclear safety posture.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Physics, or a closely related technical discipline.
• 15+ years of progressive nuclear safety experience in DOE nuclear facilities, including direct involvement in safety basis development, review, or oversight.
• Demonstrated leadership experience managing nuclear safety teams or programs, including mentoring and developing technical staff.
• Expert-level knowledge of safety basis processes, including DSA/TSR development, hazard analysis methodologies, and accident analysis techniques.
• Thorough understanding of the Unreviewed Safety Question process and Potential Inadequacy in the Safety Analysis protocols.
• Experience interfacing with DOE on safety basis submittals, reviews, and approval processes.
• Working knowledge of DOE nuclear safety requirements, including facility safety, quality assurance, and personnel qualification frameworks.
• Experience with nuclear facility hazard categorization and classification of safety structures, systems, and components.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to present complex nuclear safety concepts to technical and non‑technical audiences.
• Proven ability to work effectively in fast‑paced environments and manage multiple priorities simultaneously.

Preferred Qualifications

• Advanced degree (M.S. or MBA) in a relevant technical or management discipline.
• Experience supporting Federal Readiness Assessments, Operational Readiness Reviews, or equivalent startup authorization activities.
• Direct experience with DOE Safety System Oversight programs.
• Project Management Professional (PMP) certification or equivalent project management experience.
• Experience across multiple DOE sites or programs, providing breadth of perspective on safety basis practices and regulatory expectations.
• Background in nuclear criticality safety, including familiarity with ANSI/ANS-8 series standards.
• Experience with advanced reactor technologies, microreactors, or first‑of‑a‑kind nuclear facility design and licensing.
• Familiarity with DOE nuclear facility training and qualification program requirements.
• Experience interacting with external oversight bodies such as the Defense Nuclear Facilities Safety Board.
• Qualifying Official experience for nuclear safety, facility representative, or related technical disciplines.
• Combination of office and field environment at the Aalo‑X campus.
• Periodic visits to operating nuclear facility areas with appropriate PPE and access controls.
• Occasional travel to DOE headquarters, other Aalo locations, or industry events as required.

What Success Looks Like

• An approved and well‑maintained safety basis that enables safe facility operations and supports Aalo's deployment schedule.
• A high‑performing nuclear safety team recognized for technical excellence, responsiveness, and sound safety judgment.
• Strong, productive working relationships with DOE oversight organizations built on transparency and mutual confidence.
• Seamless integration of nuclear safety requirements into facility design and operations, with no surprises during readiness assessments.
• A mature USQ and PISA process that efficiently evaluates changes while maintaining rigorous safety standards.
• A safety culture where every team member understands their role in protecting workers, the public, and the environment.

What It Takes to Succeed at Aalo

• Extreme Ownership — You take responsibility for outcomes, not just tasks. You proactively identify problems, drive solutions, and follow through.
• A Passion for Solving Hard Problems — You are energized by challenges that others avoid and enjoy finding practical solutions to complex technical issues.
• A Sense of Urgency — You move quickly, make thoughtful decisions, and maintain momentum while balancing quality and execution.

Requirements:

• Based in the United States
• Willing to work on-site in Idaho Falls, ID

What We Offer:

• Competitive salary based on experience
• Paid Time Off

Additional Information:

Aalo Atomics provides a collaborative and supportive work environment, opportunities for professional growth, intellectually challenging careers, and competitive compensation. Aalo Atomics is an equal opportunity employer and considers all employment decisions without regard to race, color, religion, national or ethnic origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, disability, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.

Applicants must be U.S. Citizens or U.S. Persons in compliance with 10 CFR Part 810 and may not hold non‑compliant foreign citizenships.

Direct applicants only. No recruiters or staffing agencies, please.