Shift Manager (Fuel Facility)

X-energy LLC conducts a thorough recruiting process and will never issue offers without interview to discuss qualifications and responsibilities. All applications will be submitted via our company career page, www.x-energy.com/careers/ . We will never ask you to provide payment information as part of the recruiting process. If anyone claiming to represent X-energy directs you in a manner otherwise, please contact us at www.x-energy.com/contact-us .

Job Description

The Shift Manager serves as the on the floor operational leader for the TRISO X fuel fabrication facility. Acting as the delegated representative of the Fuel Manufacturing Operations Manager, the Shift Manager is responsible for the safe, secure, and efficient execution of all production and maintenance activities during their assigned shift. This role ensures that production goals are met while maintaining strict adherence to nuclear grade safety, quality, regulatory compliance, and security requirements.

While performing the duties of this job, the individual must meet physical standards (e.g. be able to talk, hear, walk, and move consistently throughout the day). Workers may be subject to high temperatures, noises, and vibrations from generating equipment and may be subject to the handling of and exposure to hazardous and radioactive materials. Candidates must be able to push, pull, move, and/or lift a minimum of 50 pounds. Work may involve extended periods of standing, frequent bending/stooping, repetitive hand/arm movements, and movements requiring fine motor control. Workers may be required to work in restrictive workspaces with limited clearances and may be required to enter confined spaces.

The facility currently operates on a 5 day per week, 8 hour per day schedule, but will transition to continuous 24/7 operations as production scales. The Shift Manager must be able to support this transition and work within a rotating shift structure once implemented.

Job Profile Tasks/Responsibilities:

- Lead the production and maintenance shift teams, ensuring cohesive, well‑coordinated operations.

- Manage staffing coverage for assigned shift.

- Serve as the primary decision‑maker for on‑shift operational issues, escalating to the Operations Manager as needed.

- Lead on‑shift briefings.

- Ensure attainment of daily, weekly, and monthly production targets.

- Maintain real‑time awareness of facility status, equipment performance, and workflow bottlenecks.

- Enforce all nuclear, radiological, chemical, and industrial safety requirements.

- Ensure strict compliance with facility procedures, regulatory standards, and license conditions.

- Verify that operators follow approved work instructions, inspection protocols, and quality hold points.

- Ensure all production activities meet TRISO-X fuel quality specifications and documentation requirements.

- Support root‑cause investigations and corrective actions for quality deviations.

- Uphold all physical security, access control, and material accountability requirements.

- Ensure proper handling, tracking, and documentation of nuclear materials in accordance with safeguards protocols.

- Immediately report and respond to any security‑related anomalies or concerns.

- Act as the central point of coordination between production, maintenance, engineering, quality, and security teams.

- Deconflict work activities to prevent interference, safety hazards, or schedule delays.

- Maintain accurate shift logs, production reports, and turnover documentation.

- Conduct structured shift handovers to ensure continuity of operations.

- Champion a strong safety culture by enforcing all safety procedures, including PPE use, lockout/tagout, pressure‑vessel safety, and hazard‑control protocols.

- Ensure personnel stop work when unsafe conditions exist and support rapid resolution of hazards.

- Lead and participate in emergency response drills, including development, coordination, and evaluation of drill packages.

- Verify that work areas remain clean, organized, and compliant with industrial hygiene and safety standards.

- Validate completion of required rounds, including system parameters, output quantities, equipment performance, and quality control results.

- Review process control charts, quality data, and technician reports to identify trends, deviations, or improvement opportunities.

- Enforce adherence to all environment, safety, health, and quality program requirements.

- Support continuous improvement initiatives, including updates to standard operating procedures and production documentation

- Protect sensitive information, including security‑related and export‑controlled data, in accordance with regulatory and company requirements.

- Ensure all team activities comply with NRC standards, internal policies, and audit expectations.

- Communicate operational expectations, changes, and lessons learned clearly and consistently

- Document production results, safety events, quality concerns, and equipment issues in accordance with plant requirements.

- Support budget and schedule attainment by identifying inefficiencies and recommending corrective actions.

- Perform other duties as assigned to support plant operations and organizational goals including reporting during off duty hours for site emergency responses.

- Participate in readiness reviews, safety walkdowns, and regulatory inspections as required.

- Be able to detect and respond to equipment alarms.

- Maintain professional demeanor and behavior at all times in all forms of communication.

Job Profile Minimum Qualifications:

- Required:

- Bachelor’s degree in science or engineering

- 5+ years of management experience in nuclear industry, nuclear-related field, or relevant non-nuclear manufacturing within a regulated environment.

- Strong understanding of safety‑critical operations, quality systems, and procedural compliance.

- Ability to make sound decisions under pressure and manage multiple priorities simultaneously.

- Ability and willingness to transition from a standard weekday schedule to a rotating 24/7 shift schedule as the facility scales.

- Must pass pre-placement medical examination including physical capacity assessment, respirator medical clearance, and baseline testing for hearing, and pulmonary function as required by assigned duties.

- Must be able to pass a drug test

- Must have the ability to wear a respirator

- Must be able to push, pull, move, and/or lift a minimum of 50 pounds

- Must be able to perform frequent repetitive lifting and bending associated with production processes

- Must be able to stand for long hours

- Experience with basic computer applications and electronic data collection systems.

- Up to 10% travel.

- Preferred:

- Familiarity with industrial safety practices, emergency procedures, and proper handling of hazardous / radioactive materials.

- Demonstrated leadership experience in shift‑based or 24/7 operations.

- Experience in nuclear fuel fabrication, nuclear operations, or DOE/NRC‑regulated facilities.

- Working knowledge of TRISO-X fuel processes, glovebox operations, or radiological controls.

- Prior experience supervising multidisciplinary technical teams.

- Nuclear Material Control & Accountability experience

Location: 151 Lafayette Drive, Suite 300, Oak Ridge, TN

Work Site Expectations: 5 days a week on-site

Hours: Shifts are currently 7 AM – 3:30 PM Monday – Friday shift but must be prepared to support the plant when it transitions to continuous operation.

Compensation

As required by Maryland and other applicable state law, X Energy, LLC (X-energy) lists the expected compensation range for a publicly advertised job opportunity based upon the job requirements (e.g. education/training, experience, skill sets, etc.). Individual candidates who meet the job requirements for the posted position will be offered a salary within this range based on their respective levels of education/training, experience, and other qualifications unique to them. Salary ranges may vary based on the specific office location and region referenced in the posting to take into consideration differences in cost of living and may not be reflective of all regions. Please note that compensation ranges listed for US job postings reflect base salary only and do not include benefits or other incentives.

Offers within the posted salary range are commensurate with the individual’s qualifications for the position, along with a view on internal equity, market data, and room for growth. The salary range for this position is:

$90,500 to $152,000

Position Job Classification

Full time - Exempt

Benefits

X Energy, LLC offers a robust benefits package that includes a 401K plan with an employer match, Medical/Dental /Vision Insurance, Life and Disability Insurance, Paid Time Off, and a Tuition Reimbursement/Professional Development policy that supports the continuing education of our employees.

An Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, or protected veteran status and will not be discriminated against on the basis of disability.

X Energy, LLC participates in E-Verify. Please visit the links below for more information about E-Verify and the protection of your Right to Work.

Right To Work Link: If you have the right to work, don't let anyone take it away (e-verify.gov)

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