Engineering Director

Department: Engineering

Location: Cambridge (Hybrid), Philadelphia, PA

Employment Type: FullTime

Alva Energy is developing a large nuclear power uprate projects. We are hiring an Engineering Director to report to the CTO and lead engineering from early-stage screening through design maturity and field execution, owning multi-discipline integration, EPC performance, major equipment technical direction, and stakeholder coordination.

This role blends power plant systems leadership with project engineering/program leadership. You’ll manage both the internal Alva engineering team and external engineering contractors/EPC partners, and you’ll interface directly with site owners and key OEMs/suppliers.

Key Responsibilities:

• Lead multi-discipline engineering delivery: coordinate mechanical, electrical/I&C, civil/structural engineering.

• Own plant power integration: lead system design for modifications and tie-ins to the existing plant.

• Manage EPCs and engineering contractors: define scopes, interfaces, and deliverables; run design/progress reviews; oversee technical performance, RFIs, design changes, and issue resolution.

• Drive stage-gated engineering maturity: lead engineering maturity from FEL-1 through FEL-3 (or 30/60/90%), setting deliverables, quality criteria, and gate reviews.

• Develop specs and review technical deliverables: draft/review engineering standards, technical specifications, and contract scopes for EPC and major equipment.

• Own major equipment technical direction: develop technical specifications for steam turbines, condensers, and feedwater/condensate systems; conduct technical evaluations of vendor proposals and designs.

• Translate engineering into field execution: support construction-ready work packaging and execution plans; provide engineering support during construction, commissioning, and startup.

• Work across balance-of-plant and NSSS modifications

• Build and lead the team: hire, onboard, mentor, and grow Alva’s engineering function; improve standards, tools, and operating cadence for project delivery.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical, Nuclear, Industrial, Petroleum, Chemical, Civil, Electrical, or related engineering discipline.

• 10-15 years of experience in power plant systems engineering and/or leading engineering on large power or process-industry projects with significant EPC or Owner’s Engineer interaction.

• Extensive knowledge of steam cycles and power conversion systems; strong understanding of steam turbine plants and major BOP systems.

• Strong stakeholder management and communication skills; willingness to travel up to ~25% to sites and suppliers.

• Experience managing engineering teams across multiple disciplines, including leading both internal engineers and external contractors/EPC partners.

• Background in a hard-tech startup taking complex systems from 0→1 (concept to first deployment).

• Engineering leadership in oil & gas, petrochemicals, refining, LNG, or conventional power generation environments with high rigor around safety, codes, and execution.