Senior Manager, Core Materials

TerraPower is a nuclear technology company based in Bellevue, Washington. At its core, the company is working to raise living standards globally through a more affordable, secure, and environmentally friendly form of nuclear energy along with innovations in medical isotopes to improve human health. In 2006, TerraPower originated with Bill Gates and a group of like-minded visionaries who evaluated the fundamental challenges to raising living standards around the world. They recognized energy access was crucial to the health and economic well-being of communities and decided that the private sector needed to take action and create energy sources that would advance global energy deployment. TerraPower’s mission is to be a world leader in new nuclear technologies, while developing innovators and future leaders in the nuclear field. As a result, the company’s activities in the fields of nuclear energy and related sciences are yielding significant innovations in the safety and economics of nuclear power, hybrid energy and medical applications – all for significant human health benefits.”
TerraPower is seeking to hire highly motivated and forward-thinking professionals who are interested in focusing on advanced nuclear reactor research and development and influencing change within the nuclear power landscape and bringing forward the critical production of medical isotopes. TerraPower is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We do not discriminate in hiring on the basis of sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, race, color, religious creed, national origin, physical or mental disability, protected Veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law.
Senior Manager, Core Materials
The Natrium Core Materials Senior Manager reports directly to the Director, Fuel Engineering and Technology. This leadership position is focused on overseeing and leading the Core Materials team in achieving its programmatic objectives. In this role, you will build and manage a dedicated team of managers and engineers focused on the development, qualification, and testing of core materials in support of Terrapower’s advanced nuclear reactor projects.
Responsibilities
Lead and manage the Core Materials team by providing clear direction, priorities, and expectations
Define the strategic and technical direction for the Core Materials team in alignment with Natrium programmatic objectives
Provide overall management and oversight of all Core Materials work scope, ensuring effective planning, execution, and integration with adjacent disciplines
Establish and maintain the Core Materials schedule and budget ensuring adherence in collaboration with the Project Management team
Coordinate with executives, directors, senior managers, and other stakeholders, including external partners and regulatory bodies, to advance core materials and fuel technologies
Establish and maintain operational direction that enables high‑quality execution of work required to achieve Natrium’s strategic goals
Implement and execute strategic plans for the Core Materials organization, translating high‑level objectives into actionable work
Build and develop the Core Materials management team to ensure robust leadership, effective delegation, sustainable performance and strong execution
Responsible for Core Materials team staffing, including identifying staffing needs, leading recruiting and hiring efforts, and recommending promotions and other staffing actions
Demonstrate visible continuous leadership in safety and quality, ensuring compliance with applicable requirements and promoting a strong safety and quality culture
Focus on maintaining an inclusive and welcoming work environment which fosters innovation
Support employee professional development and career growth through coaching, feedback, and development planning
Define engineer training and qualification needs and ensure qualified personnel perform assigned activities
Key Qualifications and Skills
Bachelor’s degree or higher in a relevant engineering discipline from an accredited university with a minimum of 12 years related experience is required – degree in materials science/engineering is preferred
Minimum of 3 years of previous supervisory or people leadership experience is required
Experience working with nuclear materials (including fuel cladding and core structural materials) in high-temperature and sodium environments is required
Understanding of materials characterization and materials processing technology is required
Advanced knowledge and experience in nuclear or similar industrial quality programs, design control, and configuration management principles, practices, and tools is required
Experience working in stringent quality systems (e.g., ISO-9001, AS9100) is required, specifically experience working to ASME NQA-1, 10 CFR 50 Appendix B is highly desired
Experience and success managing scientific staff, and executing research and development projects in a corporate setting
Proven ability to manage complex technical programs with multiple stakeholders is required
Established track record in planning, budgeting, and execution of testing or modeling activities is required
A high degree of trust and integrity, able to communicate openly, dedication to organizational success and a desire to foster teamwork are required
Demonstrated commitment to safety, quality, and continuous improvement is required
This position requires excellent verbal and written communication skills
This position is subject to qualification requirements in accordance with ANSI/ANS 3.1. Candidates must meet the minimum education and experience criteria applicable to the role, including relevant nuclear industry experience where required. Verification of data will be part of the hiring process.
Job Functions:
Job Functions are physical actions and/or working conditions associated with the position. These functions may also constitute essential functions for the job which the employee must be able to fulfill, with or without accommodation. Information provided below is to help describe the job so that the applicant has a reasonable understanding of the job duties/expectations. An applicant's ability to perform and/or tolerate these actions and conditions will be discussed and workplace accommodations may be made on a case-by-case basis following an individualized assessment of the applicant and other considerations, including but not limited to any governing safety standards.
Motor Abilities: Sitting for extended periods, bending/stooping, grasping/gripping, fine motor control (hands)
Physical exertion and/or requirements: Minimal, with ability to safely lift up to 25 pounds.
Repetitive work: Prolonged
Special Senses: Visual and audio focused work
Work Conditions: Stairs, typing/keyboard, standard and/or sitting working environment of >8 hours/day
Travel required 0-10%
TerraPower’s technology is controlled for export by various agencies of the U.S. Government. TerraPower must evaluate applicants who are foreign nationals (other than asylees, refugees, or lawful permanent residents) in accordance with U.S. Government export control requirements. To facilitate TerraPower’s export control reviews, you will be asked as part of the application process to identify whether you are a U.S. Citizen or national, asylee, refugee, or lawful permanent resident of the United States. Government export authorization approval times vary. Based on the business needs for a particular position, TerraPower may not consider a foreign national from a country if it is impracticable to obtain timely Government export approval.
Job details
Salary Range: $184,367 - $245,823
Any salary offered within the posted salary band is based on market data and commensurate with the selected candidate’s qualifications and experience. This range is specific to Washington State.
Job Type: Full-time
Benefits:
Competitive Compensation
Salary, eligible to participate in discretionary short-term incentive payments
Comprehensive Medical and Wellness Benefits
Medical
Vision
Dental
Life and Disability
Gender Affirmation Benefits
Parental Leave
401k Plan
Generous Paid Time Off (PTO)
21 days of annually accrued PTO
Generous Holiday Schedule
10 paid holidays
Relocation Assistance
Professional and Educational Support Opportunities
TerraPower Career and Benefits information: https://www.terrapower.com/contact-us/careers/