At BWX Technologies, Inc. (NYSE: BWXT), we are People Strong, Innovation Driven. A U.S.-based company, BWXT is a Fortune 1000 and Defense News Top 100 manufacturing and engineering innovator that provides safe and effective nuclear solutions for global security, clean energy, environmental restoration, nuclear medicine and space exploration. With more than 7,800 employees, BWXT has 14 major operating sites in the U.S., Canada and the U.K. We are the sole manufacturer of naval nuclear reactors for U.S. submarines and aircraft carriers. Our company supplies precision manufactured components, services and fuel for the commercial nuclear power industry across four continents. Our joint ventures provide environmental restoration and operations management at a dozen U.S. Department of Energy and NASA facilities. BWXT’s technology is driving advances in medical radioisotope production in North America and microreactors for various defense and space applications. For more information, visit www.bwxt.com. Follow us on LinkedIn, X, Facebook and Instagram.
Welcome to BWXT
We believe in empowering our employees and cultivating a dynamic workplace that fosters growth and collaboration. Whether you’re an experienced professional or just starting your career, you'll find opportunities to challenge yourself, learn from seasoned experts, and contribute to nuclear innovation. We require a diverse range of skills to support our work in the markets that drive our business and welcome candidates from all backgrounds and life stages who are passionate about making a difference.
Position Overview
At BWXT, we are committed to delivering innovative nuclear solutions that contribute to a better world. We recently announced a new venture in advanced uranium enrichment, designed to support a new era of energy innovation and national security while modernizing the fuel cycle. As a trusted leader in nuclear operations, we are expanding into the enrichment sector and are actively seeking visionary leaders to help shape the future of nuclear energy in the United States.
We are seeking a Director of Engineering to lead the design, construction, and startup of a high-precision, factory-of-the-future capable of delivering automotive-scale manufacturing throughput with aerospace-grade quality and nuclear safety standards.
This role is ideal for a senior engineering leader who thrives at the intersection of advanced manufacturing, regulated environments, and startup execution, and who has successfully taken complex facilities from concept to full-rate production.
Location
On-site in Oak Ridge, TN
Your Day to Day as the Director of Engineering:
- Engineering Leadership & Strategy
- Establish and lead the overall engineering vision, strategy, and execution for a greenfield uranium enrichment manufacturing operation.
- Build, lead, and scale a multidisciplinary engineering organization encompassing manufacturing engineering, facilities, process engineering, quality, automation, and industrialization.
- Factory Design, Construction & Startup
- Lead end-to-end design and construction of a high-precision manufacturing facility, from conceptual layout through commissioning and full production ramp.
- Integrate advanced automation, digital manufacturing, and Industry 4.0 technologies to enable high throughput with exceptional quality.
- Manufacturing Excellence
- Deliver manufacturing systems capable of automotive-industry production pace while meeting or exceeding aerospace-level quality, reliability, and traceability standards.
- Drive Design for Manufacturability (DFM), Design for Assembly (DFA), and Design for Quality (DFQ) and Design for Cost (DFC) across product and process development.
- Quality, Safety & Compliance
- Ensure engineering designs and manufacturing processes meet nuclear regulatory requirements, safety standards, and BWXT quality systems.
- Partner closely with Quality, Manufacturing, EHS, Regulatory, and Operations to ensure safe, compliant, and repeatable production.
- Cross-Functional Collaboration
- Work closely with executive leadership, operations, supply chain, R&D, and external partners to align engineering execution with business objectives.
- Serve as a technical authority and executive advisor on manufacturability, scalability, and risk.
- Startup Execution & Scaling
- Operate with urgency and accountability in a startup environment while leveraging BWXT’s established systems and governance.
- Lead rapid production ramp-up from prototype and pilot phases to sustained high-volume manufacturing.
Required Qualifications:
- Bachelor’s degree in Engineering required; advanced degree preferred.
- Minimum 15 years of progressive engineering leadership experience, with significant responsibility for manufacturing, facilities, and industrialization.
- Proven experience designing, building, and starting up a high-precision manufacturing facility, preferably in aerospace, nuclear, defense, automotive, or semiconductor industries.
- Demonstrated success delivering high-volume manufacturing at automotive pace with aerospace-level quality standards.
- Strong background in advanced manufacturing, automation, precision machining, assembly, and inspection systems.
- Experience operating in highly regulated environments with rigorous safety, quality, and compliance requirements.
- Must be able to obtain and maintain a U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) security clearance (active clearance strongly preferred).
- Ability to report to an assigned work location. This is not a remote opportunity.
Preferred Qualifications:
- Automotive manufacturing and assembly experience, at full scale.
- Industry 4.0, digital thread/digital twin, or smart factory implementation.
- Lean manufacturing, Six Sigma, and continuous improvement leadership.
- Experience scaling operations from early-stage development to full-rate production.
What We Offer:
- Competitive salary and benefits package, including health, dental, and retirement plans.
- Flexible work schedules and paid time off to promote a healthy work-life balance.
- Professional development opportunities, including mentorship programs and sponsorship for continuing education.
- An inclusive atmosphere that celebrates new perspectives and supports collaboration between different generations.
- The chance to be part of a mission-driven organization making a positive impact on the future of energy.
- Opportunities for continuous learning and training to grow throughout your career!
Pay: $161,000 - $233,000
The base salary range for this position in Tennessee (US-TN) at the start of employment is expected to be between $161,000 and $233,000 per year. However, the base salary offered is based on local job market factors, and may vary further depending on factors specific to the selected job candidate, such as job-related knowledge, skills, experience, and other objective business considerations. Subject to these considerations, the total compensation package for this position may also include other elements, such as an annual cash incentive in addition to a full range of medical, retirement, and/or other benefits. Details of participation in these benefit plans will be provided at such time the selected job candidate receives an offer of employment. If hired, the selected job candidate will be employed 'at-will,’ unless employed at a location and in a position subject to a collective bargaining agreement. The company further reserves the right to modify base salary (as well as any other discretionary payment, compensation or benefit program) at any time, including for reasons related to individual performance, company or individual department/team performance, and other market factors.
As a federal government contractor, BWX Technologies, Inc. and any subsidiaries, affiliates and related entities (“BWXT” or the “Company”) complies with all federal, state, and local laws and customer requirements regarding health and safety protocols. As such, all BWXT new hires will be required to adhere to applicable Company health and safety requirements within the workplace as a condition of employment.
Applicants selected will be subject to a Federal background investigation and must meet eligibility requirements for access to classified information or matter. Position requires U.S. citizenship with (no dual citizenship) ability to obtain and maintain a Department of Energy (DOE) security clearance which involves an extensive criminal and financial background investigation, drug test and previous employment reference verifications.
BWXT is committed to the concept of Equal Employment Opportunity. We have established procedures to ensure that all personnel actions such as recruitment, compensation, career development, benefits, company-sponsored training and social recreational programs are administered without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, citizenship, age, disability, protected veteran or other protected status.
BWX Technologies, Inc. and its affiliates and subsidiaries (BWXT) is not responsible for and does not accept any liability for fees or other costs associated with resumes or candidates presented by recruiters or employment agencies, unless a binding, written recruitment agreement between BWXT and the recruiter or agency exists prior to the presentation of candidates or resumes to BWXT and includes the specific services, job openings, and fees to be paid (“Agreement”). BWXT may consider any candidate for whom a recruiter or agency has submitted an unsolicited resume and explicitly reserves the right to hire such candidate(s) without any financial obligation to the recruiter or agency unless an Agreement is in place prior to presentation and such Agreement explicitly encompasses the job opening for which such fees or costs are sought. An email, verbal or other informal contact with any person within BWXT will not create a binding agreement. Agencies or recruiters without an Agreement are directed not to contact any hiring managers of BWXT with recruiting inquiries or resumes. Recruiters and agencies interested in partnering with BWXT may contact BWXT’s Talent Acquisition team at talent_acquisition@bwxt.com.#LI-BT1
