Director Innovation Jobs in Tennessee (NOW HIRING)

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.

BWXT is currently seeking a Program Director for its Enrichment Operations location in Oak Ridge, TN!

BWXT is People Strong, Innovation Driven - be part of BWXT’s innovation hub. BWXT’s Enrichment Operations (EO) in Oak Ridge focus on the engineering, fabrication, and testing of advanced gas centrifuge machines. This site accelerates next-generation technology from development to production readiness, supporting the national mission to restore a domestic uranium enrichment supply chain for US defense and naval nuclear propulsion.

The Program Director, Enrichment Operations serves as a key member of the Enrichment Operations leadership team and acts as a strategic advisor and operational partner to the President, Enrichment Operations. This position is responsible for leading the integration, execution, and governance of critical business initiatives that support the organization's production, operational, capital, workforce, and strategic objectives.

The Program Director provides enterprise-level leadership across a diverse portfolio of initiatives, ensuring alignment between corporate strategy and operational execution. The role drives cross-functional collaboration, oversees business performance initiatives, manages strategic priorities, and facilitates executive decision-making to achieve organizational goals related to safety, production, operational excellence, financial performance, regulatory compliance, and long-term growth.

This position serves as an extension of the President's office, coordinating activities across Operations, Engineering, Maintenance, Supply Chain, Quality, Regulatory Affairs, Finance, Human Resources, and Capital Projects to ensure organizational priorities are effectively planned, communicated, executed, and monitored.

If you are looking for a career where your experience is valued, innovative thinking is fostered, and barrier-free teamwork is embraced every day, then this opportunity is for you. The position will be located in the Oak Ridge, TN, Enrichment Operations office.

Job Description / Duties:

• Serve as chief coordinator of strategic initiatives for the President, Enrichment Operations.
• Lead development and monitoring of annual operating objectives, strategic plans, and organizational performance metrics.
• Coordinate executive leadership meetings, business reviews, and strategic planning sessions.
• Manage the organization's strategic initiative portfolio and track execution against commitments.
• Develop executive-level presentations, reports, and recommendations for senior leadership, customers, regulators, and Board-level reviews as applicable.
• Lead cross-functional teams to address critical business challenges and emerging opportunities.
• Support development and execution of long-range operational, workforce, and capital investment strategies.
• Facilitate communication and alignment among functional leaders to ensure consistent execution of organizational priorities.
• Identify organizational risks and develop mitigation strategies to protect business performance and mission objectives.
• Drive implementation of operational excellence and continuous improvement initiatives across the organization.

Job Qualifications / Requirements:

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Business Administration, Operations Management, Technical Management, or related discipline.
• Minimum 12 years of progressive leadership experience in operations, engineering, program management, manufacturing leadership, strategic planning, or related functions.
• Demonstrated experience working directly with executive leadership in a highly regulated, technically complex, or mission-critical environment.
• Proven ability to lead enterprise-wide initiatives requiring significant cross-functional coordination and influence.
• Strong business acumen with experience managing strategic priorities, organizational performance, and complex stakeholder relationships.
• Ability to obtain and maintain a DOE Q Clearance.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master's degree (MBA, Engineering, Operations Management, or related field).
• Experience supporting a business unit president, COO, general manager, or equivalent executive leader.
• Experience in nuclear operations, uranium enrichment, DOE programs, national security programs, defense manufacturing, or other highly regulated industries.
• PMP, PgMP, Lean Six Sigma Black Belt, or equivalent professional certification.
• Experience leading enterprise transformation, operational improvement, or large-scale strategic initiatives.

Pay: $136,000 - $207,000

The base salary range for this position in Tennessee (US-TN) at the start of employment is expected to be between $136,000 and $207,000 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.

All candidates must be U.S. citizens. Selected applicants are required to successfully complete a pre-employment check and drug screening. In addition, the position may require the ability to obtain and maintain applicable federal eligibility requirements for access to classified/sensitive information or matter which involves an extensive criminal and financial background investigation, drug test, previous employment, and 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.