Requisition Number: 27049
Required Travel: 11 - 25%
Employment Type: Full Time/Salaried/Exempt
Anticipated Salary Range: $187,187.00 - $245,000.00
Security Clearance: Ability to Obtain
Level of Experience: Senior
This opportunity resides with Global Security (GS). Mission Technologies’ Global Security (GS) group comprises live, virtual, constructive (LVC) solutions; fleet sustainment; nuclear and environmental; and Australia business.
As a trusted partner to our military customers, HII designs, develops and operates the largest LVC enterprise that prepares warfighters for cross-domain battle. With advanced technologies to enable mission readiness, HII understands that preparation requires full coordination—not readiness in piece-parts.
For more than 40 years, the U.S. Navy has entrusted HII to maintain and modernize the vast majority of its fleet. With a holistic approach to life-cycle maritime defense systems—from small watercraft to submarines, surface combatants and aircraft carriers—HII ensures a high state of readiness.
HII supports the Department of Energy’s national security mission through the management and operation of its sites, as well as the safe cleanup of legacy waste across the country. HII meets clients’ toughest nuclear and environmental challenges.
Meet HII’s Mission Technologies Division
Our team of more than 7,000 professionals worldwide delivers all-domain expertise and advanced technologies in service of mission partners across the globe. Mission Technologies is leading the next evolution of national defense – the data evolution - by accelerating a breadth of national security solutions for government and commercial customers. Our capabilities range from C5ISR, AI and Big Data, cyber operations and synthetic training environments to fleet sustainment, environmental remediation and the largest family of unmanned underwater vehicles in every class. Find the role that’s right for you. Apply today. We look forward to meeting you.
To learn more about Mission Technologies, click here for a short video: https://vimeo.com/732533072
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. 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.
The CNO is accountable for assuring that technical risk and nuclear product safety are managed appropriately within all tasks, projects, and programs. 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.
- 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 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 the 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.
- 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.
- 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.
HII is more than a job - it’s an opportunity to build a new future. We offer competitive benefits such as best-in-class medical, dental and vision plan choices; wellness resources; employee assistance programs; Savings Plan Options (401(k)); financial planning tools, life insurance; employee discounts; paid holidays and paid time off; tuition reimbursement; as well as early childhood and post-secondary education scholarships. Bonus/other non-recurrent compensation is occasionally offered for qualified positions, and if applicable to this role will be addressed by the recruiter at the screening phase of application.
Why HII
We build the world’s most powerful, survivable naval ships and defense technology solutions that safeguard our seas, sky, land, space and cyber. Our workforce includes skilled tradespeople; artificial intelligence, machine learning (AI/ML) experts; engineers; technologists; scientists; logistics experts; and business administration professionals.
Recognized as one of America’s top large company employers, we are a values and ethics driven organization that puts people’s safety and well-being first. Regardless of your role or where you serve, at HII, you’ll find a supportive and welcoming environment, competitive benefits, and valuable educational and training programs for continual career growth at every stage of your career.
Together we are working to ensure a future where everyone can be free and thrive.
All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, physical or mental disability, age, or veteran status or any other basis protected by federal, state, or local law.
Do You Need Assistance?
If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the employment process, please send an e-mail to [email protected] and let us know the nature of your request and your contact information. Reasonable accommodations are considered on a case-by-case basis. Please note that only those inquiries concerning a request for reasonable accommodation will be responded to from this email address. Additionally, you may also call 1-844-849-8463 for assistance. Press #3 for HII Mission Technologies.
