Company Overview

Blue Energy's mission is to unlock energy abundance, energy affordability, energy security, and turn-key decarbonization by developing the fastest path to deploying new nuclear MWs at scale. We are utilizing shipyard manufacturing supply chains and techniques from offshore oil and wind to reduce the cost of nuclear plants by over 60% and the manufacturing timeline to 24 months. Blue Energy is a platform technology that makes use of the latest NRC-approved reactors and is in negotiations with existing nuclear and industrial sites, enabling a much faster regulatory pathway to deploy our first unit. With our innovative centralized shipyard manufacturing approach, we can put nuclear power on a cost-reduction learning curve akin to wind, solar, and lithium-ion batteries.

Blue Energy is seeking an experienced and detail-oriented Nuclear Fuels Procurement Manager to oversee the engineering and procurement of nuclear fuel and associated materials for our power plant operations. The ideal candidate will be responsible for ensuring a reliable and cost-effective supply of nuclear fuel, maintaining supplier relationships, and adhering to all regulatory and safety requirements. This role is essential in supporting the continuous and safe operation of nuclear reactors, while optimizing fuel procurement strategies and minimizing costs.

The Nuclear Fuel Procurement Manager will work closely with fuel suppliers, regulatory bodies, and internal engineering, licensing and operations teams to ensure the smooth procurement and management of nuclear fuel cycles.
Expectations:

• Raise issues and concerns quickly, we strive for a culture where everyone can communicate openly so problems can be resolved as quickly and efficiently as possible. This is as important for technical issues as it is for non-technical and personnel issues. The longer things go "unmentioned", the longer they "fester" and the more painful they are to resolve.
• Budget and Schedule are important! Everyone, as owners and owners representatives, is ultimately accountable for accomplishing our goals on time and on budget. However, if "Doing it Right" means we need to spend a little more time or money, raise the issue to me and we will discuss the best path forward. It's a balance and we can address all "gray" areas as a team.
• People make mistakes, especially when developing a First of a Kind product. Be open with mistakes of yourself and others, we want to ensure we understand every error, potential error or near miss so that we establish engineered controls or procedural steps to prevent recurrence. These errors, omissions and oversights can be resolved in a professional manner without people fearing reprisal, if we build the culture the right way. We are all responsible for building this kind of working environment.

Responsibilities:

• Have an in-depth understanding of how all plant systems are designed, operated and will perform in the field. It is your responsibility to understand how everything works and works together. If you have questions, it's likely someone else has the same question. Ask the question, get the answers and share the results.

• Work closely with our suppliers and sub-contractors to identify issues with quality, communications and schedule that need to be resolved. If you realize you need help resolving an issue make sure you request assistance early and resist the urge to try and resolve all issues on your own (don't try to be a hero!)
• We will have frequent interaction with the Licensing Team who rely on us heavily to ensure all questions, concerns and issues raised by the regulator are addressed accurately and timely
  
  • Proactively provide support to the Licensing team and identify issues that need oversight by leadership to ensure resolution
• Establish required QA/QC process controls required for NQA-1 activities associated with nuclear fuel procurement.
• Actively participate in engineering, construction and commissioning. This will involve frequent and potentially extended trips to participate in, supervise and ensure the quality of fabrication, construction and commissioning activities. Team leadership to address inevitable technical issues during construction and commissioning will be a key aspect of this portion of the job responsibilities.
  
  • Since many fuel related activities, including refuel outage equipment design, related outage activities and spent fuel management and storage activities, will occur years after project construction and COD, a unique ability to foresee future risks and potential issues will be imperative. Identify risks and challenges that may arise in the future and implement mitigation strategies during the design and construction phase to reduce additional costs during construction, commissioning and operations.
• Develop and implement procurement strategies for nuclear fuel, including uranium, enriched fuel, fabricated assemblies, and other fuel-related components.
  
  • Identify and evaluate potential suppliers and vendors for nuclear fuel, fabrication services and related materials.
  • Negotiate fuel contracts, terms, and pricing to secure cost-effective and reliable fuel supply agreements.
  • Maintain and strengthen relationships with nuclear fuel suppliers, fabricators, and converters. Monitor supplier performance, quality control, and compliance with contractual obligations.
• Monitor and analyze global uranium markets, nuclear fuel trends, and geopolitical factors that could impact fuel supply and pricing. Forecast and address any supply chain disruptions and ensure fuel deliveries align with operational needs and schedules.
  
  • Provide regular updates and reports to senior management on fuel market conditions, costs, and supply risks.
• Ensure compliance with national and international regulations governing the procurement, storage and transportation of nuclear fuel (e.g., NRC, DOE, IAEA).
  
  • Maintain records of fuel procurement transactions, supply chain logistics, and regulatory documentation for audits and reviews. Liaise with regulatory bodies to ensure fuel procurement meets all nuclear safety standards and licensing requirements.
• Manage nuclear fuel inventory, ensuring that sufficient fuel is available to meet operational needs without overstocking. Oversee transportation logistics, ensuring the safe and timely delivery of nuclear fuel materials. Coordinate with plant management, maintenance and operations teams to plan and schedule fuel deliveries and refueling outages. Develop forecasts for fuel needs based on plant operational schedules and fuel burnup rates.
• Develop strategies to optimize nuclear fuel procurement costs while maintaining security of supply and regulatory compliance. Evaluate alternative suppliers, pricing models, and long-term fuel contracting options. Participate in fuel cycle analysis and reactor core design discussions to optimize fuel usage and performance.

Qualifications:

• Education: Bachelor's degree in Nuclear Engineering, Materials Science, Mechanical Engineering, or a related field. A Master's degree is a plus.
• Experience: Minimum of 5 years of experience in nuclear fuel procurement, fuel cycle management, or nuclear engineering. Experience with nuclear fuel supply chains, uranium markets, and procurement processes in the energy sector. Experience working in nuclear fuel cycle optimization and reactor core performance analysis is a plus.
• Technical Skills:
  
  • Strong knowledge of nuclear fuel fabrication, enrichment processes, and reactor fuel cycles. In-depth knowledge of uranium mining, enrichment technologies, and geopolitical considerations in nuclear fuel supply.
  • Proficiency with nuclear fuel management software, procurement tools, and supply chain management systems.
  • In-depth understanding of nuclear fuel licensing and regulatory requirements set by agencies like the NRC (Nuclear Regulatory Commission), DOE (Department of Energy), and IAEA (International Atomic Energy Agency).
  • Excellent analytical skills with the ability to forecast fuel needs, assess market trends, and develop cost-effective procurement strategies.
  • Strong negotiation and contract management skills for securing competitive agreements with suppliers.
  • Strong understanding of engineering principles related to power plant design, including piping, structural, and electrical/I&C systems.
  • Familiarity with project management software (e.g., MS Project, Primavera).
• Certifications: Certifications such as Certified Procurement Professional (CPP) or relevant nuclear fuel certifications are an asset..
• Soft Skills:
  
  • Excellent problem-solving and analytical skills.
  • Strong communication and interpersonal skills.
  • Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
  • Strong leadership and decision-making capabilities.

We look forward to your application and helping foster an era of safe, clean, affordable, and abundant energy.

Blue Energy is dedicated to building a diverse and inclusive workplace. If you're excited about this role but your experience doesn't perfectly align with every requirement, we encourage you to apply anyway. You might be the right candidate for this or other roles at Blue Energy now or in the future.