Engineer Manager Jobs in Oak Ridge, TN (NOW HIRING)

We are seeking a Construction Engineer / Manager to support our client in a direct role! This position is full-time and will be based out of Oak Ridge, TN. Candidate must have an active or very recently active DOE “Q” Clearance or DoD “Top Secret” Clearance to be considered. The Construction Engineer / Manager will lead and support the planning, coordination, and field execution of facility modifications, infrastructure upgrades, and new installations supporting evolving nuclear and processing operations. This role combines hands‑on construction engineering expertise with leadership responsibility for complex, multi‑discipline construction activities in a highly regulated environment.

The Construction Engineer / Manager will serve as a key interface between Design Engineering, Operations, Project Management, EPC partners, specialty contractors, and site leadership, translating engineering designs into safe, executable construction plans. This individual will lead construction engineering activities from constructability and work‑package development through field execution, testing, commissioning, and final turnover, while maintaining a strong focus on safety, quality, cost, schedule, regulatory compliance, and configuration control.

• Lead and coordinate construction engineering and field execution for facility modifications, infrastructure upgrades, and new installations.
• Serve as the primary construction engineering interface between Design Engineering, Operations, Project Management, EPC contractors, specialty contractors, vendors, and site leadership.
• Lead and mentor construction engineers and field personnel while providing technical direction and resolving execution challenges.
• Support the site modification process and serve as the Site Technical Representative or construction point of contact during field activities, as required.
• Translate engineering designs into executable construction work packages, including permits, procedures, Inspection and Test Plans (ITPs), hold points, testing requirements, and acceptance criteria.
• Lead constructability reviews and provide field‑driven input to engineering teams to improve installation sequencing, reduce rework, and optimize construction execution.
• Develop and manage RFIs/RFCs, NCRs, field changes, redlines, and as‑built documentation to ensure configuration control throughout construction.
• Oversee multi‑discipline construction activities, including civil/structural, mechanical, piping, welding, electrical, instrumentation, and facility infrastructure scopes.
• Manage construction scopes executed by EPC and specialty contractors, monitoring cost, schedule, quality, productivity, and overall contractor performance.
• Review contractor progress, validate completed work, support field estimating, administer change management, and provide technical input for change orders and contract requirements.
• Identify field issues, construction risks, and potential schedule impacts and drive timely resolution in coordination with engineering, project management, contractors, and operations.
• Ensure construction activities comply with applicable NRC/DOE requirements, licensing basis, site procedures, quality requirements, and industry codes and standards.
• Champion a strong nuclear and industrial safety culture, including compliance with LO/TO, arc‑flash controls, pre‑job briefs, job hazard analyses, and other high‑hazard work controls.
• Ensure compliance with applicable standards, including NEC, NFPA 70E, OSHA, IEEE, NEMA, and other relevant construction and engineering requirements.
• Oversee and support QA/QC inspections and verify contractor compliance with approved drawings, specifications, procedures, and quality requirements.
• Plan, coordinate, and witness construction inspections and testing; manage punch‑list completion and coordinate functional testing, system energization, startup, and commissioning with Operations and Engineering.
• Drive projects toward Ready‑for‑Operations, ensuring complete and accurate turnover packages, as‑built documentation, test records, and other required closeout documentation.
• Provide clear reporting on construction status, cost, schedule, risks, contractor performance, and mitigation plans to project managers and site leadership.
• Coordinate construction interfaces with utilities, DOE/NRC stakeholders, and other external organizations as required for power, infrastructure, and site services.
• Capture and implement lessons learned and provide procedural, design, and constructability feedback to improve safety, quality, productivity, and execution on future projects.
• Promote continuous improvement and develop construction strategies that improve predictability, reduce rework, and support the successful delivery of complex nuclear projects.

• Education & Years of Experience – Bachelor’s degree in Engineering (Civil/Structural, Mechanical, Electrical, or related discipline), Construction Management, or a related field from an accredited institution; equivalent relevant experience may be considered and 5+ years of construction or field engineering experience supporting industrial facilities such as nuclear, chemical processing, oil & gas, power generation, or large‑scale manufacturing.
• Citizenship – To be considered, you must be a United States (U.S.) citizen due to the federal nature of the work.
• Clearance – To be considered, you must have an active or very recently active DOE “Q” Clearance or DoD “Top Secret” Clearance.
• Previous construction leadership or management experience, including responsibility for construction engineers, field teams, contractors, or major construction scopes; 5+ years of management experience preferred.
• Demonstrated experience overseeing multi‑discipline construction activities and contractor field execution.
• Hands‑on experience developing and executing construction work packages, performing QA/QC inspections, and overseeing welding, mechanical, piping, electrical, and/or instrumentation installations.
• Experience supporting startup, system turnover, testing, energization, and commissioning activities.
• Strong working knowledge of RFIs, RFCs, NCRs, ITPs/test plans, redlines, as‑built documentation, punch lists, and configuration control.
• Experience working with EPC contractors, specialty contractors, and vendors, including progress measurement, field estimating, change management, contract compliance, and performance management.
• Working knowledge of DOE, NRC, nuclear, or similarly regulated environments, with demonstrated ability to execute construction within strict licensing, quality, and procedural requirements.
• Practical knowledge and application of NEC, NFPA 70E, OSHA, IEEE/NEMA, and other applicable construction and safety standards.
• Demonstrated commitment to safety leadership and nuclear‑quality expectations, particularly in high‑hazard construction environments.
• Strong leadership, communication, problem‑solving, and decision‑making skills with the ability to coordinate effectively across engineering, operations, contractors, and project leadership.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and make sound field decisions while maintaining focus on safety, quality, cost, schedule, and regulatory compliance.

GEM is an award‑winning federal contractor with more than 30 years of experience providing environmental, construction, facility management, and technical services to federal agencies, state and local governments, and commercial organizations. Founded in 1994 as a nuclear engineering firm to support federal operations in East Tennessee, GEM has since expanded into a nationwide, multi‑disciplinary provider with over 270 employees and a diverse portfolio of contracts in the environmental, nuclear, and defense sectors.

Some reasons to join GEM are:

• Our philosophy – We believe in the power of effective collaboration and recognize that good partnerships are the building blocks to success.
• Our relationships – Partnering with federal clients, we solve complex problems, exceed expectations, and advance critical missions.
• Our team – We are committed to managing a cohesive workforce and cultivating a supportive workplace for our employees on contracts and in‑office.
• Our community involvement – Supporting our communities, we invest time and money in local schools and non‑profit organizations.

GEM’s offered compensation is dependent on candidates’ education, qualifications, and relevant years of experience. To recruit and retain our exceptional staff, we offer the opportunity to elect benefit packages that best suit our employee’s needs; this includes, but is not limited to, a competitive Salary, Medical, Dental and Vision Insurance (including HSA & PPO options), Paid Time Off (PTO), Paid Holidays, Life Insurance, and a matching 401(k) Retirement Plan.

Please Note: With the exception of mandated state requirements, GEM does not publish salary information on external job boards; as such, most ranges listed are estimates made by vendors and not actual salary ranges.

GEM Technologies, Inc. is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, national origin, disability, age, genetic information, veteran status, marital status, pregnancy or related condition, or any other basis protected by law.