Subcontract Technical Manager

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

Own the technical backbone of TRISO-X's subcontract oversight. This Subcontract Technical Manager role oversees every dollar, deliverable, and day of subcontracted work for the TRISO-X fuel fabrication — ensuring suppliers deliver to nuclear-grade standards (NQA-1, 10 CFR 50 Appendix B, DOE O 414.1D) on schedule, on budget, and with the quality rigor that reactor and fuel production demands. You'll be the critical technical bridge between engineering, project controls, quality, procurement, and regulatory teams and the supply base that makes our first-of-a-kind missions possible, coordinating inputs across disciplines to ensure subcontracted scope integrates seamlessly with program objectives and contract requirements.
We need a proven subcontract technical leader who thrives in high-stakes, nuclear-regulated environments: someone who has managed multi-million-dollar subcontract portfolios under NQA-1 or equivalent QA regimes, held suppliers accountable for both technical compliance and cost/schedule performance, and built the cross-functional coordination discipline required to keep complex programs on track. You'll oversee cost, schedule, and performance across all subcontracted scope — tracking deliverables, managing vendor performance through design reviews and site inspections, identifying risks before they threaten program success, and coordinating across engineering, project controls, quality, procurement, and licensing to resolve technical issues in real time. This role demands both strategic oversight (defining subcontract strategies, evaluating make/buy decisions, participating in material review boards and NCR resolution) and hands-on technical coordination (reviewing subcontractor submittals for spec compliance, conducting constructability assessments, ensuring QA/QC adherence on-site). You'll present performance to internal and external stakeholders, drive process improvements across the subcontract lifecycle, and ensure every supplier relationship strengthens — not threatens — X-energy's nuclear safety culture and mission delivery.

 

Job Profile Tasks/Responsibilities:

• Subcontract Management & Oversight
  • Subcontract execution oversight — Manage day‑to‑day oversight of subcontracted scope to ensure alignment with technical and contractual requirements.
  • Baseline performance tracking — Monitor cost, schedule, and performance against approved baselines and validate subcontractor progress.
  • Scope and change control — Identify scope deviations, support change‑control actions, and maintain contractual and technical integrity.
  • Risk and issue management — Identify risks, emerging issues, and performance concerns; drive mitigation and escalation as needed.
• Vendor Coordination & Relationship Management
  • Serve as primary point of contact for assigned subcontractors throughout the contract lifecycle
  • Facilitate effective communication between subcontractors and X-energy technical, quality, and project management teams
  • Coordinate vendor kick-off meetings, design reviews, technical exchanges, and acceptance activities
  • Build and maintain productive working relationships with key subcontractor personnel at all organizational levels
• Technical & Quality Oversight
  • Technical requirement verification — Ensure subcontractor work meets all technical specifications, design requirements, and acceptance criteria.
  • Quality assurance alignment — Validate that subcontractor processes and deliverables meet quality standards and inspection readiness expectations.
  • Issue resolution support — Facilitate timely resolution of technical issues, design questions, and interface challenges.
• Compliance & Documentation
  • Ensure subcontract activities comply with all applicable federal regulations, including export control (ITAR/ECI) and government contract requirements
  • Maintain accurate and complete subcontract files, including correspondence, technical documentation, and performance records
  • Support internal and external audits related to subcontract management activities
  • Ensure proper configuration management and document control for subcontractor deliverables
• Funding Management
  • Funding baseline management — Maintain visibility into authorized funding, remaining obligation, and alignment with approved budgets.
  • Burn‑rate monitoring — Track monthly burn against funding ceilings to identify emerging shortfalls or underruns.
  • Forecasting and cash‑flow planning — Develop forward‑looking funding forecasts to ensure adequate coverage for ongoing and planned work.
  • Funding change coordination — Support preparation of funding requests, modifications, and justifications tied to scope, schedule, or cost changes.
• Maintain professional demeanor and behavior at all times in all forms of communication.
• Perform other duties as assigned by manager.

Job Profile Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Business Administration, or related technical field, required
• Typically Demonstrated by 10 plus years of program/project management experience, with at least 5 years managing subcontracts in a complex technical environment
• Experience in nuclear power, defense, aerospace, or other highly regulated industries
• Experience with decision authority for compliance and governance, strongly preferred
• Demonstrated success managing subcontracts valued at $5M+ with technical, schedule, and quality complexity
• Strong understanding of program management principles, including schedule development, cost control, and risk management
• Working knowledge of nuclear quality assurance requirements (NQA-1) and regulatory framework (10 CFR)
• Proficiency with project management tools (e.g., Microsoft Project, Primavera P6) and contract management systems
• Experience with earned value management (EVM) and cost/schedule performance analysis
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with ability to engage effectively with technical and non-technical audiences
• Strong negotiation, conflict resolution, and problem-solving capabilities
• Demonstrated leadership and team collaboration skills in cross-functional environments
• Exceptional attention to detail and organizational skills
• Project Management Professional (PMP) certification preferred
• Ability to obtain and maintain U.S. government security clearance (if required)
• U.S. Citizenship or Permanent Residency may be required for certain contracts subject to export control regulations

Location: Oak Ridge, TN
Work Site Expectations:  5 days onsite
Hours: 8:00am-5:00pm, Mon-Fri

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:

$140,000- $165,000

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)

E-Verify Participation Link:  E-Verify Participation Poster English and Spanish