Program Manager

Job Description

The Nuclear Science & Technology (NS&T) directorate at Idaho National Laboratory is hiring a Program Manager to serve within our Business Operations group. This is a shared resource role supporting multiple groups across NS&T, so you'll bring fluency across the full spectrum of both program and project management disciplines. You'll be the point of accountability for integrated programs by aligning strategy, stakeholders, budgets, and schedules, while flexing to meet the distinct needs of the teams you support.

What You'll Actually Be Doing

• Define and communicate program vision, objectives, and success criteria that align with INL's mission, and establish the governance structures, decision frameworks, and escalation protocols that keep programs on track.
• Manage interdependencies across multiple projects — coordinating resource allocation, milestone sequencing, and integration points, and making trade-off decisions that balance competing needs across the groups you serve.
• Serve as the primary interface between NS&T and executive-level external stakeholders (e.g., DOE program offices, DOD sponsors, industry partners), leading business reviews, planning sessions, and contract negotiations.
• Develop and manage multi-year program budgets spanning multiple funding sources, work breakdown structures, and cost pools, directing financial planning cycles and ensuring compliance with federal cost accounting standards.
• Identify, assess, and manage strategic and institutional risks across projects, developing mitigation strategies for technical, schedule, funding, and stakeholder risks and escalating critical issues with recommended courses of action.
• Provide leadership and direction to Project Managers and functional leads across the groups you support, fostering collaboration, resolving conflicts, and mentoring emerging program and project management talent.
• Roll up your sleeves at the project level when needed — directly managing scope, budget, schedule, and technical milestones for individual projects, so you deliver value whether you're running a program or executing a project.
  
  

Why This Role Matters

Business Operations is the connective tissue that lets NS&T deliver on the nation's most consequential nuclear energy work. As a shared Program Manager, you'll multiply the impact of every group you touch — keeping first-of-a-kind programs aligned, funded, and on schedule, and ensuring INL continues to run its programs to the highest quality standards as the nation's leading nuclear energy laboratory.

Essential Job Functions And Responsibilities

• Oversee multiple ongoing, rapidly expanding projects, some of which are managed by subordinate Project Managers.
• Track project deliverables using appropriate tools. Ensure proper planning and scheduling for operational-related activities to support timely and successful completion of program/project work. Implement and manage project changes and interventions to achieve successful project outputs.
• Proactively manage and execute sets of projects into programs on schedule and within assigned budgets. Act as appropriate to correct deviations from schedule and budget. Provide recommendations to project management to allow timely resolution of problems and issues. Use appropriate conflict resolution skills to manage competing stakeholder interests.
• Direct or support engineering projects related to upgrading facilities, constructing new facilities to include planning, budgeting, procuring, and managing projects.
• Aid in developing research, engineering, and operations teams to help partners meet their goals.
• Interface with partners (DOE, DOW, and others) and coordinate among INL operations, research, and business organizations to support programs in the area of specialty.
• Prepare or direct the preparation of progress and special reports to customer and management.
• Ensure that laboratory requirements and standards for the management of projects are met and are consistently applied in the acceptance and integration of work. Integrate managed scope with ongoing and evolving mission needs.
• Ensure that all customer contact, including major correspondence and work relationships between management and the customer, is maintained throughout the duration of the program. Conduct periodic project and customer meetings to review progress and discuss issues. Ensure problems involving coordination, schedule, and the setting of priorities are resolved by the project teams. Obtain the customer's acceptance of the work and document all turnover activities. Responsible for the preparation and submission of the final project reports and prompt close-out of the projects supporting the program.
• Identify new opportunities and support growth in a dynamic and necessarily agile security R&D business environment. Match INL unique capabilities with capability gaps and needs of clients. Advise on emerging capabilities.
• Analyze data to understand organizational disparities and implement solutions to address the identified disparity. Combine data analysis with experience/knowledge to deliver reliable and executable solutions.
• Develop teams as appropriate to successfully complete projects.
• Coach other managers, support succession planning, and actively develop future leaders at INL
  
  

Required

• Level 3: Bachelor's degree in Business, Engineering, Project Management, or a related field from an accredited institution and 5 years of relevant experience; or an Advanced degree in Business, Engineering, Project Management, or a related field from an accredited institution and 2 years of relevant experience.
• Level 4: Bachelor's degree in Business, Engineering, Project Management, or a related field from an accredited institution and 9 years of relevant experience; or a Master's degree in Business, Engineering, Project Management, or a related field from an accredited institution and 6 years of relevant experience; or a PhD in Business, Engineering, Project Management, or a related field from an accredited institution and 4 years of relevant experience.
• Must have strong verbal, written, and interpersonal skills.
• Must demonstrate collaboration consistently and effectively.
• Proven ability to manage program budgets, schedules, and performance metrics.
• Experience functioning as a project lead, project manager, or lead role determined with level.
• Must have excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Must be a U.S. citizen and be required to obtain and maintain a “Q” DOE clearance.
  
  

The Ideal Candidate Will Possess

• Advanced degree from an accredited institution.
• Project Management Professional (PMP) certification with demonstrated program-level experience, and/or Program Management Professional (PgMP®) certification or equivalent (or ability to obtain within a specified timeframe).
• Fluency across the full range of program and project management disciplines, with the versatility to support multiple groups and shift between distinct mission priorities.
• Proficiency in program management tools (e.g., MS Project, Primavera, or equivalent) and familiarity with performance tracking methodologies.
• Demonstrated ability to lead cross-functional teams, mentor emerging leaders, and interface effectively with government and external partners (e.g., DOE, DOD).
  
  

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 25 pounds without assistance. 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

Idaho National Laboratory is hiring a Program Manager to work on our Nuclear Business Operations team. Our team works a 9x80 schedule located out of our Engineering Research Office Building facility with every other Friday off.

• The pay range for this position is: Level 3 ($95,256 - $195,288) / Level 4 ($114,360 - $234,336). At Idaho National Laboratory compensation decisions are determined using factors such as education, relevant experience, and other credentials.
• Multi-Level: This is a multi-level posting and you will be placed at the appropriate level dependent on depth and breadth of proven experience and skills.
• 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.
  
  

About Us

Benefits and Relocation

• Medical, Dental, Vision, and Flexible Spending Accounts
• 401(k) with a 4.2% employer contribution and up to 4.8% match (regular positions) or self-contribute access (postdoctoral positions)
• Paid time off (personal leave)
• Employee Education Program (tuition assistance for eligible positions)
• Comprehensive Relocation Package
• Benefit eligibility subject to 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.