Director Partner Engineering Jobs in Madison, WI

SHINE Technologies is seeking an Engineering Director & Chief Engineer with a dual-role leader responsible for both:

• Leading engineering execution across complex, high-tech hardware systems, and
• Serving as the technical authority for plant buildout and commissioning of a regulated nuclear-enabled chemical processing facility.

In this role, the Senior Director is the single point of accountability for engineering execution in support of the Chrysalis Moly 99 facility schedule, responsible for translating project milestones into executable engineering plans and ensuring sufficient engineering resources are applied to meet delivery commitments.

This role is accountable for ensuring that first-of-a-kind technologies are translated into safe, reliable, and operable systems at scale, while directly engaging in the most critical technical challenges encountered during integration, startup, and early operations.

The individual operates as the final integrator of engineering truth—bridging R&D, design engineering, construction, operations, and regulatory requirements.

This role will support the design, build, and commissioning of the Molybdenum-99 factory.

The base salary range for this position is $175,000 - $225,000 per year plus a comprehensive compensation package. Our salary ranges are determined by role, level, and location.

Duties and Responsibilities:

Specific duties and responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

Engineering Execution Leadership

• Own engineering execution for the Chrysalis facility and act as the engineering single point of accountability for achieving schedule driven engineering deliverables across design, procurement support, construction support, commissioning, and startup.
• Translate integrated project milestones into discipline level engineering execution plans, including scope definition, sequencing, dependencies, and resourcing needs.
• Lead engineering teams responsible for system design, integration, and deployment of capital equipment and plant systems.
• Ensure on-time, high-quality execution of engineering deliverables in coordination with project schedules.
• Establish and enforce engineering standards for design, documentation, and change control.

Matrixed Engineering Leadership & Resource Planning

• Lead engineering execution across a matrixed engineering organization, coordinating mechanical, process, I&C, nuclear, safety, structural, systems, and reliability engineering resources in support of Chrysalis.
• Define engineering staffing and skill requirements by project phase and actively partner with the Vice President of Engineering to ensure resourcing aligns with schedule critical demands.
• Proactively identify engineering capacity gaps or constraints and recommend mitigation strategies, including internal reprioritization, staffing adjustments, or engagement of external engineering firms.

Chief Engineer for Plant Buildout & Commissioning

• Serve as the technical authority during construction, system integration, and commissioning phases.
• Own resolution of critical path technical issues that arise during plant buildout and startup.
• Lead decision-making on system operability, readiness, and acceptance for commissioning milestones.
• Provide real-time technical judgment in the field, balancing safety, performance, and schedule.
• Serve as the engineering signatory for system acceptance into commissioning, confirming technical completeness, safety readiness, and operational viability.

Integration of High-Tech Systems into Industrial Environment

• Ensure successful integration of:
• Advanced hardware and novel technologies (from R&D)
• Conventional chemical processing systems
• Nuclear-related systems and controls
• Bridge gaps between prototype-level performance and industrial reliability requirements.

Reliability, Safety, and Regulatory Readiness

• Ensure systems meet nuclear safety, chemical processing, and regulatory compliance requirements.
• Partner with Quality and Regulatory teams to support:
• Safety analyses
• Design verification and validation
• Commissioning and qualification protocols
• Drive design-for-reliability and operability across all plant systems.

Commissioning Support & Startup Execution

• Provide engineering leadership during commissioning and early operations, ensuring rapid resolution of emergent technical issues impacting operability or schedule.
• Support commissioning strategy development, test execution, system troubleshooting, and performance optimization in close collaboration with Operations and Project teams.

Technical Problem Solving & Escalation Ownership

• Personally engage in deep technical dives on the most pressing and ambiguous issues.
• Lead cross-functional “tiger teams” to resolve:
• Integration failures
• Unexpected system interactions
• Performance shortfalls
• Establish root cause, corrective actions, and long-term design improvements.

S/MS/PhD in Mechanical, Chemical, Nuclear, Electrical Engineering, or related field.

• 15+ years of experience in complex industrial or high-tech hardware systems.
• Significant experience in plant design, buildout, commissioning, or startup.
• Demonstrated ability to lead through technical ambiguity and first-of-a-kind challenges.
• Deep understanding of system integration, reliability engineering, and failure analysis.

Preferred

• Experience in nuclear, chemical processing, energy, or other regulated industries.
• Prior role as Chief Engineer, Lead Systems Engineer, or Technical Authority.
• Familiarity with safety analysis, hazard reviews (HAZOP, FMEA), and regulatory engagement.

Working Conditions and Physical Effort:

• Ability to remain in a stationary position (e.g., standing or sitting) for extended periods.
• Ability to move within facility environments, including accessing testing areas and operating instrumentation.
• Ability to handle standard equipment and materials weighing up to 50 pounds with or without reasonable accommodation.
• Work may occasionally take place in controlled radiation areas under supervision and within regulatory exposure limits.
• Use of personal protective equipment (PPE), including full Tyvek suit while wearing a ventilated hood, lab coats, safety glasses, and dosimeters.
• Work involves moderate exposure to unusual elements, such as extreme temperatures, dirt, dust, fumes, smoke, unpleasant odors, and/or loud noises.
• Work environment involves some exposure to hazards or physical risks, which require following basic safety precautions.
• Although flexible work hours may be available, shift-work schedules may be required, and extended hours will sometimes be necessary to complete required work assignment.
• Able to obtain confined space entry certification.
• Exposure to arc flash and high voltage usage.
• Participation in the site emergency plan drills.

Eligibility for employment is conditioned on the applicant’s ability to qualify for access to information subject to U.S. Export Controls. Additionally, applicant’s eligibility may be conditioned based upon meeting the Nuclear Regulatory Commission requirements for access to Safeguards Information, which typically requires a pre-employment drug screen, fingerprinting and criminal background check.

SHINE values diversity in all its forms as a critical component of innovation, which is fundamental to our success. Every member of the SHINE community benefits from the talents and experiences of our peers, from the mutual respect we exercise, and from the responsibility we take for our actions.

SHINE Technologies is 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, disability or veteran status.

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