Readiness Assurance Senior Manager

Location: Amarillo, TX
Job Title: Readiness Assurance Senior Manager
Career Level: Senior Manager
Organization: Readiness Assurance )
Job Specialty: Readiness Assurance

The Readiness Assurance (RA) department reports to the Quality Assurance Division. The department's overarching role is to execute readiness activities and express independent judgment affirming that a nuclear or non-nuclear hazardous facility, activity, or operation has achieved a satisfactory state of implementation and/or operational readiness (ability to operate safety and in compliance within the approved safety envelope) protecting our workers, the public and the environment.

RA performs four core functions:
Contractor Readiness Assessments (CRA), Implementation Verification Reviews (IVR) of new or changed Technical Safety Requirements (TSRs), periodic TSR verifications, and Readiness Certification Leader functions.

The Readiness Assurance Senior Manager provides strategic and day-to-day direction for the entire RA department. This position serves as a subject matter expert and functional manager, holding interpretive authority over key procedures and representing the organization in high-level discussions with external bodies. This position is accountable for the full lifecycle of RA processes, from programmatic improvements and resource assignment to staffing, performance management, and ensuring a safe work environment, all while supporting critical site projects and maintaining rigorous standards of safety and excellence.

This position reports to the Institutional Performance Assurance Director.

• Provide strategic and operational direction for all RA functions, serving as functional manager and subject matter expert.
• Provide subject matter expertise, ensuring compliance with Readiness requirements such as Department of Energy (DOE) Order 425.1D, DOE-Standard-, Nuclear Production Office Supplemental Directive 3.4.3, and 10 Code of Federal Regulations 830.
• Advise senior leadership on complex readiness issues and represent the organization in discussions with Pantex Field Office and Defense Nuclear Facilities Safety Board.
• Coordinate with DOE, contractors, and external oversight to resolve issues and align expectations.
• Facilitate communication among startup teams, facility management, line management, leadership, and oversight organizations to ensure alignment and reduce risks & issues.
• Establish and monitor performance standards and metrics, ensuring compliance, addressing weaknesses and implementing improvements.
• Promote a culture of accountability, continuous improvement, and operational discipline.
• Ensure RA technical, quality and process excellence.

• Implement internal processes, procedures, and training, including maintaining related software.
• Ensure expert-based training on the Readiness program is developed and delivered to multiple audiences including Operations, Program Mgmt, and assessment teams.
• Oversee comprehensive readiness preparation plans and their execution towards CRA.
• Ensure actions in the Readiness Certification Assurance Process are identified, tracked, and completed.
• Direct IVRs of new or changed TSRs and periodic TSR verifications, verifying safety basis controls are effectively implemented.
• Ensure proper conduct and documentation of readiness assessments, including evidence collection, field observations, and personnel interviews.
• Maintain a comprehensive readiness evidence library and ensure startup notification reports’ accuracy and timely submission.

• Lead staffing for the department, including CRA-IVR Leaders, Readiness Certification Leaders, and TSR Verifiers, aligning with approved budgets and needs.
• Ensure a rigorous employee training program is established and administered for RA staff, including developing training elements and providing mentoring.
• Handle personnel matters including hires, training, performance evaluations, recognitions, professional development, and disciplinary actions.
• Assign, schedule, and track RA workload.
• Manage budget, costs, service contracts, and facilitate requests for budget input, capital items, and staffing needs.

• Bachelor's Degree and minimum 10 years of relevant experience
• OR 18 or more years of education and/or relevant experience may be considered to satisfy educational and years-of-experience requirements for this posting.

In addition to the above requirements, the applicant must also meet the requirements of DOE O 426.2A (i.e., Baccalaureate in engineering or related science and 4 years nuclear experience, or a DOE O 426.2A alternative). DOE O 426.2A experience requirements can be satisfied following employment. In the interim, newly hired personnel will not be assigned duties that could impact the safety basis of nuclear facilities.

• Three years of supervisory/management experience. Candidates with less…