Alva is seeking a Product Manager for Controls Systems to own the definition, delivery, and evolution of the controls platform at the center of our uprate technology. This role is accountable for turning a complex, safety-critical engineering challenge into a deployable, regulator-credible product that integrates cleanly with existing nuclear plant control architectures.
This is not a roadmap-only product role. You will set vision, define requirements, and actively drive engineering execution, internally and across vendors, until the system works in the field. You will be the single thread pulling together controls engineering, vendors, licensing, and plant operations into a coherent product that delivers measurable value.
Key Responsibilities:
Own the end-to-end product vision and lifecycle for Alva’s multi-load controls system, from concept through field deployment and regulatory acceptance.
Translate system-level goals (load coordination, runback, trip behavior, integration constraints) into clear product requirements, interfaces, and acceptance criteria.
Lead definition of the controls architecture and interfaces with nuclear plant control systems (e.g., Common Q, Ovation, 7300-class or legacy platforms), including signal ownership, isolation boundaries, and one-way data paths where required.
Drive vendor strategy: identify, evaluate, down-select, and manage controls, automation, and integration partners as extensions of the product team.
Partner with internal engineering to ensure hardware, software, controls logic, and test plans align with product intent and regulatory constraints.
Own system-level hazard, failure-mode, and interface risk analysis in collaboration with engineering and licensing teams.
Coordinate factory, field, and integrated acceptance testing to validate that the product performs as intended without compromising existing plant control functions.
Work closely with regulatory and licensing stakeholders to ensure requirements, setpoints, and implementation strategies are licensable and defensible.
Serve as the primary internal decision-maker on scope, tradeoffs, sequencing, and priorities for the controls system.
What success looks like
A clearly defined, well-documented controls product that integrates with nuclear plant control logic without introducing unacceptable operational or licensing risk.
Aligned internal teams and external partners executing against a shared product vision.
Field-validated system behavior that enables Alva’s uprate technology to scale across plants.
Qualifications
10+ years delivering mission-critical control or automation systems in nuclear, power generation, aviation, robotics, or similarly regulated industries.
Demonstrated ownership of complex systems through design, integration, testing, and field deployment.
Strong technical fluency in controls, automation, and system integration; able to engage deeply with engineers while maintainingproduct-level accountability.
Experience managing vendors and partners responsible for core system functionality.
Proven ability to lead cross-disciplinary efforts where safety, reliability, and regulatory acceptance are non-negotiable.
Bachelor’s degree in Electrical, Computer, Mechanical Engineering, or related field; advanced degree a plus.
Compensation:
Salary range: $165,000 – $220,000, with competitive company stock options
Four weeks paid time off, plus 11 company holidays and 2 weeks of paid sick or family leave
401k matching, comprehensive health insurance
Top Skills
What We Do
Alva Energy is on a mission to lead the fastest, most affordable nuclear power deployment in history. As the first independent nuclear project management and delivery organization, we're transforming how nuclear projects are executed, bringing unprecedented speed and efficiency to nuclear energy deployment.
