Chief Nuclear Officer – Nuclear Safety, Operations & Regulatory Compliance, SMR/MMR Programs

Role Overview

• Establish, champion, and continuously strengthen BaRupOn’s nuclear safety culture across all programs, teams, and contractors.
• Chair or oversee the Company’s Nuclear Safety Review Committee (NSRC), ensuring independent oversight of all reactor programs.
• Develop and maintain nuclear safety policies, standards, and governance frameworks aligned with NRC requirements and INPO guidelines.
• Serve as the final internal authority on all safety-significant decisions, with authority to halt activities that pose unacceptable safety risk.
• Ensure full and sustained compliance with 10 CFR Parts 50, 52, 53, and all applicable license conditions and technical specifications.
• Oversee preparation and timely submission of all event reports, Licensee Event Reports (LERs), and 10 CFR 50.72 and 50.73 notifications to the NRC.
• Lead the Company’s interface with the NRC Resident Inspector program and regional offices, ensuring transparency and cooperative regulatory engagement.
• Manage NRC inspection findings, notices of violation, and corrective action commitments, ensuring timely and effective resolution.
• Establish and oversee BaRupOn’s Corrective Action Program (CAP) in accordance with 10 CFR 50, Appendix B.
• Drive a culture of problem identification and resolution with a low threshold for issue entry and rigorous root cause analysis for significant conditions.
• Track and trend CAP metrics, identify systemic issues, and report program health to executive leadership and the Board.
• Lead all operational readiness reviews and pre-startup assessments prior to licensing milestones and initial operations.
• Establish and maintain nuclear operations procedures, work management systems, and outage planning processes.
• Oversee radiation protection, nuclear security, emergency preparedness, and industrial safety programs.
• Ensure all personnel with nuclear safety responsibilities are qualified, trained, and licensed per NRC requirements.
• Build, lead, and mentor BaRupOn’s nuclear safety and operations organization, including health physics, security, emergency preparedness, and quality assurance functions.
• Partner with the CTO, CEO, CFO, and Board on safety performance, program status, and strategic risk management.
• Represent BaRupOn with the NRC, DOE, industry organizations, and stakeholders as the Company’s nuclear safety authority.

Requirements

• Master’s degree or PhD in Nuclear Engineering, Health Physics, Mechanical Engineering, or a closely related technical field.
• Minimum 15 to 20 years of progressive experience in the U.S. nuclear industry, with significant tenure in nuclear safety, operations, or regulatory compliance leadership.
• Direct experience as a CNO, VP of Nuclear Safety, Director of Nuclear Oversight, or equivalent senior nuclear safety leadership role at a licensed U.S. nuclear facility.
• Demonstrated direct experience interfacing with the NRC on inspection, compliance, and enforcement matters.
• Deep working knowledge of:
• 10 CFR Part 50 – including Appendix B (Quality Assurance) and all operational compliance requirements
• 10 CFR Parts 50.72 and 50.73 – event reporting requirements
• 10 CFR Parts 52 and the emerging Part 53 framework for advanced reactors
• INPO principles and nuclear safety culture standards.
• Experience establishing or leading a Corrective Action Program (CAP) at a licensed U.S. nuclear facility.
• Experience with SMR, advanced reactor, or Generation IV technologies strongly preferred.
• Must be a U.S. citizen or authorized to work in the U.S. and eligible to obtain applicable DOE and/or NRC security clearances.

Benefits

• Executive equity participation, subject to the terms of the Company’s equity compensation plan and applicable vesting schedule.
• Comprehensive benefits package including medical, dental, and vision insurance.
• Paid time off, sick leave, and Company-observed holidays, in accordance with applicable law and Company policy.
• 401(k) or retirement savings plan, subject to plan terms and eligibility periods.
• Relocation assistance considered for the right candidate.