About the role

Aalo Atomics is seeking an experienced Testing Manager to lead the planning and execution of test campaigns across our development and operations programs. This role will serve as the primary owner of testing activities for Aalo’s sodium test loop, the Aalo-0 non-nuclear testing facility, and the Aalo-X experimental reactor, ensuring that system validation, design verification, and sodium-handling operations are tested thoroughly and safely.

This position does not require day-to-day personnel management but demands strong cross-functional leadership to coordinate testing activities across engineering, operations, safety, and QA. The ideal candidate brings a deep understanding of nuclear or sodium system testing, is comfortable in both lab and field environments, and is ready to lead test planning from the ground up.

What you'll do

• Lead the development and execution of integrated test strategies for Aalo’s developmental and operational facilities, including component, system, and integrated plant-level testing.
• Own the test lifecycle: from requirements development and test planning through execution, analysis, documentation, and lessons learned.
• Work closely with engineering teams to identify test needs arising from design verification, PIRT studies, and safety analysis requirements.
• Ensure operational readiness for sodium handling and other high-consequence testing activities, including procedures, equipment, safety reviews, and emergency planning.
• Coordinate with fabrication, installation, and commissioning teams to align test schedules and facility readiness.
• Identify appropriate test infrastructure (internal and external), including national lab or vendor support, and lead scoping and interface efforts.
• Ensure that testing activities comply with QA, regulatory, and safety requirements, including DOE, NRC, and NQA-1 standards.
• Champion safety in all test activities and ensure appropriate training, oversight, and controls are in place for sodium and high-temperature systems.
• Develop and maintain test documentation, including test plans, procedures, instrumentation strategies, hazard analyses, and final test reports.
• Report test results and progress to senior management and contribute to design reviews, regulatory filings, and project risk assessments.

Qualifications

Education:

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Physics, or a technical field. Equivalent experience may be considered.

Experience:

• Minimum 15 years of experience in test engineering, system validation, or operations in complex technical environments.
• Experience in the nuclear industry or with sodium-based systems (e.g., liquid metal loops, fast reactors, or thermal-hydraulic testbeds).
• Demonstrated ownership of multi-phase test programs, from concept through completion.
• Familiarity with thermal-fluid, structural, or I&C test programs in high-consequence environments.

Technical Skills:

• Understanding of system engineering, verification and validation processes, and test-readiness reviews.
• Knowledge of sodium handling procedures, instrumentation, and safety considerations.
• Familiarity with regulatory standards including 10 CFR 50 Appendix B, NQA-1, and DOE nuclear facility operations.
• Ability to assess instrumentation needs, work with DAQ systems, and interpret complex system behavior.

Professional Traits:

• Strong communicator with a bias for clarity, documentation, and decision-making under pressure.
• Works well across engineering, operations, QA, and leadership teams.
• Demonstrated leadership in high-risk or first-of-a-kind environments.
• Comfortable building structure and process in a fast-paced startup environment.