We are growing our US program team with an experienced Project & Risk Controls Manager. This role is the backbone of Fjäll's program execution – owning the integrated schedule, risk register, and program reporting infrastructure that keeps a complex multi-workstream nuclear development program visible, accountable, and on track. If you have a strong track record in project controls on capital-intensive programs and the ability to build structure in an early-stage environment, we want to hear from you.

What we do at Blykalla

Blykalla is developing the next generation of nuclear technology with our Small Modular Reactor (SMR) based on innovative fuel, materials, and reactor designs. As Sweden's only SMR developer, we are on a mission to decarbonize industries and enable safe, scalable, and sustainable energy solutions. Our technology uses uranium nitride fuel and lead coolant, creating novel challenges and opportunities for the fuel cycle and supporting systems.

Our US development program, Fjäll, is building Blykalla's first reactor on American soil, targeting first criticality in 2027/2028 at Idaho National Laboratory (INL). We are standing up this program from scratch, which means every hire matters and every role is foundational.

Your assignment and mission

As Project & Risk Controls Manager, you will own the program controls function for the Fjäll US program. Your mission is to build and maintain the program management infrastructure that gives the Program Director and executive leadership clear, accurate, and timely visibility into schedule, risk, and program health – across all workstreams, from licensing and engineering to construction contracting, supply chain, and site development.

This role reports directly to the Program Director and carries significant ownership. You will build the controls function from the ground up, establish the tools and rhythms that the program will rely on, and evolve that infrastructure as the team scales toward construction.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop, maintain, and continuously improve the Fjäll US Integrated Master Schedule (IMS), incorporating inputs from all workstreams including licensing, engineering, construction contracting, supply chain, and site development.

• Own and maintain the program risk register: facilitate regular risk reviews, track mitigation actions, score and update risk entries, and ensure that emerging risks are surfaced to the Program Director in a timely manner.

• Establish and manage the program's decision log, action item tracker, open questions register, and assumption register.

• Lead monthly program reviews: prepare agenda materials, ensure workstream owners are ready, document outputs, and drive actions to closure.

• Develop and maintain the monthly program report for executive and Board-level audiences, translating complex program status into clear, concise, decision-relevant reporting.

• Identify schedule risks, critical path threats, and resource bottlenecks across workstreams; escalate findings to the Program Director with recommended mitigations and options.

• Implement and continuously improve program controls tools and processes as the team scales, including the transition from lightweight founder-stage tooling toward formal project controls systems (e.g., Asana, Primavera P6).

• Support the Program Director in preparing materials for DOE submissions, INL engagements, Board presentations, and strategic partner interactions.

• Support development of project cost estimates and change management processes as the program matures toward construction.

• Develop and maintain interface management protocols between workstream leads to ensure cross-workstream dependencies are tracked and managed.

Who you are

You will be the person who brings structure to a fast-moving, high-stakes program. You will work closely with the Program Director and interface daily with workstream leads across licensing, engineering, construction contracting, supply chain, and site development. You need to be credible with technical people, disciplined with data, and proactive about surfacing what others might miss.

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Engineering, Project Management, or equivalent.

• Significant experience in project controls, program management, or PMO roles on complex capital programs or infrastructure projects.

• Experience in the nuclear industry is strongly preferred. Alternatively, a strong background in other large-scale, technically complex, and regulated capital programs (defense, oil and gas, large civil infrastructure) is considered.

• Demonstrated proficiency in Integrated Master Schedule development and maintenance; experience with Primavera P6, MS Project, or equivalent scheduling tools.

• Strong working knowledge of risk management frameworks, qualitative and quantitative risk assessment, and risk register management.

• Familiarity with Earned Value Management (EVM) concepts and project cost control practices.

• Proven ability to work in early-stage organizations, building program infrastructure where it does not yet exist.

• Exceptional organizational skills and attention to detail; ability to synthesize status information across multiple workstreams into coherent, accurate program reporting.

• Strong communication skills; able to present complex program status clearly to executive and Board audiences.

• Self-directed and comfortable operating with limited oversight; this role requires initiative and proactive follow-through.

• US work authorization required.

Location

This position is based in Austin, TX, with regular travel to Idaho National Laboratory (Idaho Falls, ID).

Compensation and Benefits

We offer a competitive compensation package reflecting the seniority and strategic importance of this role.

Base salary: $115k–$145k annually, depending on location, experience, and background

In addition, you can expect:

• Equity participation

• Comprehensive benefits through Deel, including medical, dental, and vision insurance and 401(k)

So, what do you think?

Joining our team means owning the heartbeat of a first-of-its-kind nuclear development program in the United States. The controls infrastructure you build will directly shape how well Blykalla executes, manages risk, and reports to its stakeholders for years to come. If you are ready to build something that matters – and build it from scratch – apply now.

Note: We encourage applicants from diverse backgrounds and are an equal-opportunity employer.

Locations

USA