Program Operations Director 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.

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 U.S. defense and naval nuclear propulsion.

The Program Director 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.

Representing the President’s office, the Program Director coordinates 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.

The position is located in the Oak Ridge, TN Enrichment Operations office.

• 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.
• 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.

• 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.

• 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

All candidates must be U.S. citizens. Selected applicants are required to successfully complete a pre‑employment check and drug screening. 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.