Program Operations Director Jobs in Ontario (NOW HIRING)

AECL operates on land and territories that have, since time immemorial, been the traditional lands of Indigenous peoples in Canada. Together with our contractor, Canadian Nuclear Laboratories (CNL), AECL is committed to advancing reconciliation with First Nation, Metis, and Inuit communities through a renewed relationship based on recognition of rights, mutual understanding and respect, and meaningful engagement, collaboration, and partnership.

Small Team. Big Impact.

At AECL, your expertise makes a visible difference. As a small and agile organization, individual contributions matter, and your work is closely connected to results that deliver lasting public value for Canada.

Energizing Canada's Nuclear Future.

Is AECL right for you?

As a federal Crown corporation, Atomic Energy of Canada Limited (AECL) enables nuclear science and technology and manages the Government of Canada's radioactive waste liabilities. Since 2015, AECL has delivered its mandate through a Government-owned, Contractor-operated (GoCo) model, where Canadian Nuclear Laboratories (CNL) manages and operates AECL sites on its behalf. In this model, AECL provides owner-side oversight and assurance to support environmental remediation, the Federal Nuclear Science and Technology Work Plan, and the development of a world-class nuclear laboratory that advances government priorities and grows commercial revenues.

Who this role is great for:

This role is a good fit if you:

• want your expertise to be visible, valued, and directly connected to outcomes;
• are motivated by work connected to realworld outcomes and public value; and
• thrive in a small, collaborative environment where flexibility and accountability go hand in hand.

What you will do:

In this role, you will help strengthen AECL's informed-owner oversight of nuclear operations and the programs that support safe and effective mission delivery within applicable requirements.

We're looking for a Director, Nuclear Operations Programs who is motivated by operational excellence, nuclear safety, disciplined oversight, and the opportunity to ensure key programs deliver the outcomes AECL requires.

Reporting to the Executive Vice President, Integrated Mission Delivery, you will provide owner-side oversight of key programs and enabling functions delivered through AECL's contractor-operated model, with a particular focus on excellence in nuclear operations and how nuclear standards are upheld. This includes engineering, site engineering, nuclear criticality safety, regulatory affairs, program performance and effectiveness, governance systems and controls, Health, Safety, Security, Environment and Quality (HSSE&Q), occupational safety and health (OSH), radiation protection (RP), subcontractor safety, and related licensing strategies. Your oversight will help ensure these programs are consistently implemented, integrated across missions, continuously improving, meeting their intended purpose, operating within applicable requirements, and delivering value to AECL's mandate, including safe and secure work, strong nuclear safety culture, nuclear professionalism, effective technical decision-making, visible risks and accountabilities, and credible licensing and regulatory strategies.

You will also provide leadership for AECL's security governance program and oversee CNL's nuclear security and cybersecurity programs and their interfaces with AECL, helping ensure that security considerations align with AECL's obligations, risk posture, and mission priorities.

As a senior leader within AECL's Integrated Mission Delivery function, you will provide assurance to leadership and support informed decisions that protect safety, strengthen nuclear safety culture and nuclear professionalism, and advance mission outcomes.

This is a dynamic opportunity to work closely with leaders and technical experts, while engaging with regulators, government partners, CNL, and industry stakeholders. You will bring strategic thinking, technical judgment, and leadership to complex operational environments, helping AECL maintain its role as an informed owner focused on transparency, accountability, and long-term mission outcomes.

At AECL, we value strong relationships, sound governance, evidence-based decision-making, continuous improvement, and responsible stewardship. If you're looking for a role where your expertise helps strengthen operational excellence, nuclear safety outcomes, and mission delivery, this is your opportunity to make a meaningful impact.

What you bring:

We recognize that no candidate will meet every requirement. If your experience aligns with the core responsibilities of this role, we encourage you to apply.

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Science, Environmental Management, or a related discipline.
• Professional designation such as P.Eng., or certification in risk management, security, emergency management, or program management, is considered an asset.
• Extensive experience in nuclear operations or similarly complex regulated technical environments.
• Experience leading, overseeing, or assessing large multidisciplinary programs or enabling functions in a nuclear, high-hazard, or complex regulated environment, including engineering, site engineering, nuclear criticality safety, regulatory affairs, program performance and effectiveness, governance systems and controls, HSSE&Q, occupational safety and health, radiation protection, safety, licensing, security governance, nuclear security, cybersecurity, or comparable mission-support functions.
• Experience assessing program performance, effectiveness, implementation against applicable requirements, continuous improvement, and value against safety standards and operational expectations.
• Experience within a Government-Owned, Contractor-Operated (GoCo) model or comparable oversight environment is considered an asset.
• Experience working in or overseeing regulated environments, such as CNSC-regulated nuclear activities, occupational safety and health regulated environments, licensing strategies, implementation against applicable requirements, or regulatory oversight, is considered an asset.
• Knowledge of engineering, site engineering, nuclear criticality safety, regulatory affairs, program performance and effectiveness, governance systems and controls, nuclear safety, nuclear safety culture, nuclear professionalism, operational readiness, HSSE&Q, occupational safety and health, radiation protection, licensing considerations, security governance, nuclear security, and cybersecurity within nuclear or similarly regulated environments.
• Demonstrated ability to communicate complex operational, technical, regulatory, and security matters to executive and external audiences.
• Proven leadership, relationship management, risk management, and decision-making capabilities.

What we bring:

• Salary:
  • The hiring range for this role is between $169,900 and $212,300 based on compensable factors such as qualifications and experience.
  • The full salary range for this role is broader than the hiring range. Employees progress through the salary scale over time in accordance with AECL's compensation philosophy and procedures.
• Benefits:
  • Comprehensive medical and dental benefits through the Government of Canada, providing stability and peace of mind so you can focus on your work and well-being.
  • Participation in the Public Service Pension Plan, an indexed, defined-benefit pension plan that supports long-term financial security and helps you plan confidently for retirement.
  • Vacation, personal and floating days, recognizing the importance of rest and balance in support of your physical and mental wellbeing.
  • A confidential Employee & Family Assistance Program, providing support for you and your family during life's challenges, so help is available when it's needed most.
  • A flexible hybrid work model, supporting focus and flexibility while maintaining strong in-person collaboration through four days in the office or on-site.
  • Paid time off during the year-end holiday period, from December 24 through January 1, giving you dedicated time to rest, recharge, and spend time in ways that matter most to you.
  • Performance-based incentives, reflecting the value of meaningful contributions and delivered outcomes.

What you can expect:

• Location: This role can be based out of AECL's Chalk River, Ontario office location.
• Chalk River Commute: If you will be working at our Chalk River office, you will need your own personal transportation. There is no public transit to the site.
• Hybrid Work Model: AECL follows a hybrid work approach. On-site presence is required four days per week (Monday to Thursday) to support operational needs and role responsibilities.
• Security Clearance: The selected candidate must successfully meet Government of Canada security clearance requirements.
• Application Process: While we sincerely appreciate all applications, only those candidates selected for an interview will be contacted.
• Language Preference: Preference may be given to individuals who are bilingual.

As Canada advances its ambitions for clean energy, energy security, and economic growth, nuclear energy is expected to play an increasingly important role in the country's future. AECL is supporting this evolving landscape by enabling nuclear science and technology, advancing environmental remediation, and helping ensure Canada has the capabilities needed to support a strong and responsible nuclear sector. Joining AECL means contributing to work that helps shape Canada's nuclear future while delivering long-term value for Canadians.

Ready to Apply?

If this opportunity aligns with your experience and interests, we encourage you to submit your application.

Application Deadline: August 24, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. ET

At AECL, we are committed to building an authentic workplace. Promoting diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility matters to us. We welcome applications from women, visible minorities, Indigenous Peoples, persons with disabilities, and persons of any gender identity, expression, or sexual orientation. Preference may be given to members of a designated group to address identified under-representation. We encourage candidates to self-identify. 

AECL provides support and reasonable accommodations in its recruitment processes to applicants with disabilities.  This includes accommodations that consider an applicant's accessibility needs. If you have a disability that requires accommodation during our recruitment process, let us know how we can assist you by emailing hr@aecl.ca.

About AECL:

www.aecl.ca

@AECL

@atomicenergycanada

EACL exerce ses activites sur des terres et des territoires qui, depuis des temps immemoriaux, ont ete les terres traditionnelles des peuples autochtones au Canada. Ensemble avec notre entrepreneur, Laboratoires nucleaires canadiens (LNC), EACL s'engage a faire progresser la reconciliation avec les collectivites des Premieres Nations, des Metis et des Inuits par le biais d'une relation renouvelee fondee sur la reconnaissance des droits, la comprehension mutuelle et le respect, ainsi que sur la consultation, une collaboration et un partenariat significatifs.

Une petite equipe. Un impact majeur.

Chez EACL, votre expertise fait une difference visible. Dans notre petite organisation agile, chaque contribution compte, et votre travail est directement lie a des resultats qui creent une valeur publique durable pour le Canada.

Dynamiser l'avenir nucleaire du Canada.

EACL est-il le bon choix pour vous?

A titre de societe d'Etat federale, Energie atomique du Canada limitee (EACL) soutient la science et la technologie nucleaires et gere les obligations du gouvernement du Canada en matiere de dechets radioactifs. Depuis 2015, EACL s'acquitte de son mandat au moyen d'un modele gouvernemental exploite par un entrepreneur (GoCo), selon lequel les Laboratoires nucleaires canadiens (LNC) gerent et exploitent les sites d'EACL en son nom. Dans ce modele, EACL assure une surveillance et une assurance au nom du proprietaire afin d'appuyer la rehabilitation environnementale, le Plan de travail federal sur les activites de science et technologie nucleaires, ainsi que le developpement d'un laboratoire nucleaire de calibre mondial qui fait progresser les priorites gouvernementales et accroit les revenus commerciaux.

A qui ce role s'adresse-t-il :

Ce poste vous convient parfaitement si :

• vous souhaitez que votre expertise soit visible, valorisee et directement liee aux resultats;
• vous etes motive(e) par un travail qui a un impact concret et qui cree de la valeur publique;
• vous vous epanouissez dans un environnement restreint et collaboratif, ou flexibilite et responsabilite vont de pair.

Ce que vous ferez

Dans ce role, vous contribuerez directement a des travaux qui soutiennent les priorites d'EACL et produisent des resultats importants pour le Canada.

Nous sommes a la recherche d'un(e) directeur(trice), Programmes d'exploitation nucleaire motive(e) par l'excellence operationnelle, la surete nucleaire, une surveillance rigoureuse et la possibilite de faire en sorte que les programmes cles produisent les resultats attendus par EACL.

Relevant de la vice-presidente executive, Integration de la mission, vous assurerez une surveillance au nom du proprietaire de programmes cles et de fonctions habilitantes realises dans le cadre du modele d'exploitation par entrepreneur d'EACL, avec un accent particulier sur l'excellence des operations nucleaires et le respect des normes nucleaires. Cela comprend l'ingenierie, l'ingenierie de site, la surete-criticite nu...