Alva Energy is developing a 250 MWe steam turbine power plant and delivering innovative power-conversion solutions that accelerate nuclear power uprate project execution. We are hiring an Engineering Director to lead engineering from early-stage screening through design maturity and field execution, owning multi-discipline integration, EPC performance, major equipment technical direction, and stakeholder coordination. This role blends power plant systems leadership with project engineering/program leadership. You’ll manage both the internal Alva engineering team and external engineering contractors/EPC partners, and you’ll interface directly with site owners and key OEMs/suppliers. Key
Responsibilities: Lead multi-discipline engineering delivery: coordinate mechanical, electrical/I&C, civil/structural engineering. Own plant power integration: lead system design for modifications and tie-ins to the existing plant. Manage EPCs and engineering contractors: define scopes, interfaces, and deliverables; run design/progress reviews; oversee technical performance, RFIs, design changes, and issue resolution. Drive stage-gated engineering maturity: lead engineering maturity from FEL-1 through FEL-3 (or 30/60/90%), setting deliverables, quality criteria, and gate reviews. Develop specs and review technical deliverables: draft/review engineering standards, technical specifications, and contract scopes for EPC and major equipment. Own major equipment technical direction: develop technical specifications for steam turbines, condensers, and feedwater/condensate systems; conduct technical evaluations of vendor proposals and designs. Translate engineering into field execution: support construction-ready work packaging and execution plans; provide engineering support during construction, commissioning, and startup. Build and lead
the team: hire, onboard, mentor, and grow Alva’s engineering function; improve standards, tools, and operating cadence for project delivery.
Qualifications Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical, Nuclear, Industrial, Petroleum, Chemical, Civil, Electrical, or related engineering discipline. 8+ years of experience in power plant systems engineering and/or leading engineering on large power or process-industry projects with significant EPC or Owner’s Engineer interaction. Extensive knowledge of steam cycles and power conversion systems; strong understanding of steam turbine plants and major BOP systems. Strong stakeholder management and communication skills; willingness to travel up to ~25% to sites and suppliers. Experience managing engineering teams across multiple disciplines, including leading both internal engineers and external contractors/EPC partners. Background in a hard-tech startup taking complex systems from 0→1 (concept to first deployment). Engineering leadership in oil & gas, petrochemicals, refining, LNG, or conventional power generation environments with high rigor around safety, codes, and execution.
Salary
$185,000 - $280,000
Location
Cambridge, Cambridge
Experience
8+ years
Total raised
$33.0M
Last stage
Series A
Investors
W. Robb Stewart
CTO & Co-Founder
Garrett Wilkinson
Co-Founder
No applications, no recruiter spam. Just the intro.
A few questions to make sure this role is the right shape for you. Two minutes.
I write the intro, send it to the founder, and handle the back-and-forth.
If they’re a yes, I book the chat. You show up — that’s the whole job-hunt.