Chief Nuclear Officer (Dir Nuclear Engineering 1) - 27049

Who we are

HII-Australia is seeking a Chief Nuclear Officer to join the team! This role will be located in Henderson, Australia. The Chief Nuclear Officer (CNO) provides independent assurance of nuclear engineering processes across the defined domain and lifecycle of submarine and nuclear-related, or safety-significant systems within H&B Defence or one of their legal entities. This role ensures that systems and system-of-systems requirements are appropriately defined, verified, and developed by competent and authorised individuals, and that emerging products and services are safe to operate and maintain in accordance with Australian legislation, AUKUS regulatory frameworks, international nuclear standards, and H&B policy.

The CNO is accountable for assuring that technical risk and nuclear product safety are managed appropriately within all tasks, projects, and programs. Acting as part of the Henderson Operating Partner entity, the CNO will provide expert technical leadership and governance to support business needs, ensuring integration of nuclear safety principles into design, build, sustainment, and disposal phases of the engineering lifecycle.

Key Responsibilities:

• Independent Nuclear Assurance: Provide independent nuclear assurance across all engineering lifecycle stages for submarine and nuclear systems, ensuring compliance with Australian law, UK & US Naval Nuclear Requirements, Health, Safety & Environment (HSE), and Trade Controls policies.
• Technical Investigations & Risk Management: Conduct novel and high-consequence technical investigations, analysis, and risk assessments to inform design improvements, operational safety, and problem resolution. Make high-consequence engineering decisions throughout the lifecycle of the program/product.
• Documentation & Knowledge Management: Review, produce, and approve nuclear engineering documentation, safety cases, compliance evidence, and technical solutions in accordance with Delegation of Authority (DoA). Champion accurate and secure technical documentation records within corporate data management systems to support through-life knowledge capture.
• Technical Leadership & Authority: Serve as Technical Authority for nuclear systems when authorised by the Company Technical Authority or delegated authority. Manage and approve technical authorisations delegated to nuclear engineering teams, including acting as the Commonwealth designated licensee. Ensure procedures, codes, and standards are correctly identified and applied to engineering and technical activities.
• Corporate Engineering Governance: Oversee development and maintenance of the Henderson Operating Partner entity Corporate Engineering Management System (EMS) Produce, review, and approve technical engineering processes to ensure integration with all operational areas.
• Stakeholder Engagement & Communication: Lead technical presentations, formal reviews, and discussions with internal and external stakeholders, including regulators, customers, and AUKUS partners. Provide expert engineering advice to the wider organisation to maximise knowledge transfer and build operational capability.
• Business Development Support: Review and approve business development artefacts to facilitate successful bids, ensuring technical integrity and compliance with applicable DoA.
• Expertise & Continuous Improvement: Maintain expert understanding of nuclear design, analysis, manufacturing, and support techniques, as well as awareness of interfacing technologies. Seek and share good practice, keep up to date with advancements, and champion process improvement and innovation to enhance safety, quality, cycle time, and efficiency.
• Safe working environment & Product Risk Accountability: Ensure compliance with statutory regulations associated with design, supply, support, and disposal of products. Take responsibility for product safety implications and consequences within the engineering lifecycle. Actively promoting and contributing to Henderson operating partner entity safety culture and to the achievement of the targets of no lost time injuries or erroneous environmental discharges.
• Leadership & Capability Development: Drive succession planning, talent management, and technical development of team members to enable sustainable nuclear engineering capability. Champion good working relationships within technical teams and the wider organisation. Ensure that all Duly Authorised Personnel are suitable qualified and experienced to execute the delegated roles in accordance with regulatory legislation.
• Innovation & Sustainability: Champion development of sustainable and innovative solutions and processes for the benefit of the organisation, community, and global environment.

What you need to have:

• 10 years relevant progressive experience with Bachelors in related field; 8 years relevant progressive experience with Masters in related field; or High School Diploma or equivalent and 14 years relevant progressive experience.
• Hold an accredited (under the Washington Accord/ ABET) bachelor’s Degree-qualified in Nuclear Engineering or related discipline; postgraduate qualifications.
• Approximately 5+ years of experience in managing applicable engineering function and/or technical delivery.
• Professional Engineer through a recognised body. Completed additional qualification/s in engineering/technical/management specialism. Deep understanding of nuclear design, analysis, manufacturing, and sustainment techniques.
• Expert knowledge of nuclear risk management, hazard analysis, and product safety governance.
• Demonstrated ability to lead multidisciplinary teams, manage technical authorisations, and develop engineering capability.
• Strong stakeholder engagement skills, including interaction with government regulators, industry partners, and international collaborators. Extensive experience in nuclear safety assurance, regulatory compliance, and engineering governance within defence or high-consequence industries.
• Familiarity with AUKUS frameworks, Australian nuclear legislation, and international standards (e.g., IAEA, ASME).
• An excellent understanding of applicable engineering toolsets (e.g. PLM or MRP systems, design, simulation and analysis software).
• Proven track record in nuclear safety case management, regulatory engagement, and engineering lifecycle assurance.
• Experience working within civil nuclear or defence programs, preferably submarine or naval nuclear propulsion systems.
• Eligible to obtain and maintain an Australian Defence Security Clearance at the following level; AGSVA Negative Vetting – NV2.

Bonus points for:

• Approximately 18+ years relevant experience in nuclear engineering or high-consequence industries relatable technical/engineering roles.
• US or UK Naval Nuclear operational experience.
• Postgraduate qualifications in Nuclear Safety, Systems Engineering, or Regulatory Compliance highly desirable.