Chief Operating Officer Full Time

Does a career focused on changing the world’s energy future intrigue you? If so, we might have just the opportunity you’re looking for! Idaho National Laboratory’s (INL) Advanced Test Reactor is seeking forward-thinking professionals interested in exploring a career as a Chief Operating Officer.

The Chief Operations Officer (COO) provides operational leadership and direction to support the Associate Laboratory Director (ALD) for ATR in achieving overall directorate objectives. The focus of this position is on enabling and supporting the directorate’s staff to ensure operations and programmatic performance. In coordination with the ALD, lead, direct, and manage the directorate through the development and implementation of a strategic approach to operations, fostering excellent customer/peer communications and relationships, and establishing synergistic partnerships within the INL.

Our team works on-site with a 4×10 schedule located at our Advanced Test Reactor.

Responsibilities Include:

• Lead, direct, and perform research, development, and demonstration projects and programs (e.g. , major maintenance activities to extend the operational lifetime of the ATR, experiment development and improvement, and other major ATR strategic nuclear facilities and capabilities) and ensure the delivery of quality products that meet customer expectations on schedule and within budget; ensure compliance with safety, security, environmental, health, and quality assurance requirements.
• Lead a world-class, high-performing and productive team through the development of existing staff, recruiting, and hiring (nationally and internationally) recognized experts.
• Develop and implement staffing plans, staff development strategies, and develop/championing/support INL infrastructure plans.
• Serve as the ATR lead in operational excellence, establishing and achieving effective policies, strategies, objectives, standards, and tactics.
• Enhance the team’s leadership, management, and technical skills and capabilities and learn the strengths, weaknesses, and working styles of the team to put people in a position to succeed.
• Convey genuine belief in the organization’s ability to succeed despite the toughest obstacles.
• Delegate significant responsibilities to management and provide appropriate level of direction and support.
• Achieve results through others, motivating team effort and cooperation.
• Translate goals into specific transparent organizational objectives for each member of the management team and hold managers accountable for results.
• Keep the organization focused on key results that drive mission success.
• Establish and manage a program in conjunction with key engineering resources that will define a long-term equipment management roadmap to permit the ATR to safely operate to at least 2050 with a 2085 target.
• Lead programmatic and process improvement initiative at ATR that supports the overall 3-year INL improvement program and builds upon community of practice with nuclear facilities at all Battelle managed national laboratories.

QUALIFICATIONS

Minimum Requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree in Science or Engineering with at least 12 years of relevant experience OR Advanced degree in Science or Engineering with 10 years of relevant experience.
• Relevant experience includes direct technical experience in nuclear reactor engineering and operations with demonstrated increase in leadership and management responsibilities over past 8 years.
• Previous or current operational experience at the ATR complex with SRO certification is preferred or equivalent level of knowledge at a similar nuclear reactor facility in terms of size and complexity with the ability and expectation to obtain ATR SRO level of knowledge within one year of hire.
• Demonstrated experience managing complex projects and programs to completion.
• Ability to communicate complex concepts orally; prepare written reports that are clear, concise, and meaningful.
• This position requires the ability to obtain and maintain a Department of Energy “Q” clearance, which requires US Citizenship.
• Demonstrated competency to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing, including effective presentations to a variety of audiences. Ability to defend and explain difficult issues with respect to key decisions and positions to staff and senior management
• The ability to work with employees, mid- and senior-level management on complex issues and form a consensus where there is a wide range of opinions and methodologies; and develop proper compromises when needed, and firm position when appropriate

Preferred Requirements:

• Advanced degree is preferred.
• Extensive management experience leading a technology-oriented operational testing and analysis organization.
• Strong relationship builder and communicator with experience leading diverse work teams, developing an organization-wide strategy for program excellence.
• Senior-level experience in contractor-government relationship management and understand the uniqueness of the DOE national laboratories management and operating (M&O) business model. Lead through the development of plans and objectives for the enterprise as a whole.
• The ability to think strategically, anticipates future consequences and trends.
• Ability to effectively build organization and staff capacity, developing a highly effective workforce and the processes that ensure the organization runs effectively.
• The ability to overcome resistance to leadership and take unpopular stands when necessary.

Physical Requirements:

• While performing the duties of this classification, the employee is frequently required to stand, walk, sit, stoop, kneel, bend, and work in an office and field/laboratory environment. The job requires hand/finger dexterity to keyboard or type, handle materials, manipulate tools, and reach with hands and arms. The job requires operation of job-related equipment and driving a vehicle. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 35 pounds. Sufficient visual acuity and hearing capacity to perform the essential functions and interact with the public is required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Job Information:

• The target pay range for this position is ($213,568- $306,818) annually. The full salary range ($147,000- $404,232).
• At Idaho National Laboratory compensation decisions are determined using factors such as education, relevant experience, and other credentials.
• TDP: This is a testing designated position; you will be required to submit to a pre-employment drug screen and periodic drug testing throughout the term of your employment.

Benefits and Relocation

• Medical, Dental, Vision, and Flexible Spending Accounts
• 401(k) with a 4.2% employer contribution and up to 4.8% match
• Paid time off (personal leave)
• Employee Education Program (tuition assistance)
• Comprehensive Relocation Package
• Benefit eligibility subject multiple factors, including employment status and position classification.

At this time, BEA will not sponsor any H1-B visas obtained outside of the United States of America (U.S.A.), including consular visas.

INL is a science-based, applied engineering national laboratory dedicated to supporting the U.S. Department of Energy’s mission in nuclear energy research, science, and national defense. With more than 6,300 scientists, researchers, and support staff, the laboratory works with national and international governments, universities and industry partners to change the world’s energy future and secure our nation’s critical infrastructure.

INL Mission
Our mission is to discover, demonstrate and secure innovative nuclear energy solutions, other clean energy options and critical infrastructure.

INL Vision
Our vision is to change the world’s energy future and secure our nation’s critical infrastructure.

Selective Service Requirements
To be eligible for employment at INL males born after December 31, 1959 must have registered with the Selective Service System (SSS). For more information see www.sss.gov.

Equal Employment Opportunity
Idaho National Laboratory (INL) is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) employer. It is the policy of INL to provide equal employment opportunities to all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, protected veteran or disabled status, or genetic information.

Reasonable Accommodation
We will ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment. Please contact us to request accommodation.

Other Information
When applying to positions please provide a resume and answer all questions on the following screens. Applicants, who fail to provide a resume or answer the questions, may be deemed ineligible for consideration.

INL does not accept resumes from third party vendors unsolicited.

PRIMARY LOCATION: United States
JOB: Management
ORGANIZATION: Advanced Test Reactor (Gxxx)
SCHEDULE: Full-time
EMPLOYEE STATUS: Regular
JOB POSTING: Jan 9, 2026, 10:41:36 AM
UNPOSTING DATE: Feb 10, 2026, 12:59:00 AM
RELOCATION: Position Relocation Eligible
TELEWORK: On-Site Worker

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