Job Posting End Date

08-10-2026

Please note the job posting will close on the day before the posting end date.

Job Summary

Responsible for establishing and leading the Emergency Preparedness (EP) strategy, programs, licensing support activities, and regulatory engagement efforts for a fleet of advanced nuclear technologies, including Generation III+, Generation IV, small modular reactors (SMRs), microreactors, and other emerging reactor designs. The position serves as the company's subject matter expert in radiological emergency preparedness and emergency planning regulation, leading development of innovative, risk-informed, and performance-based emergency planning approaches. The Director will actively engage with the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC), industry organizations, reactor developers, and emergency management stakeholders to influence the future regulatory framework governing advanced reactors, including implementation and application of 10 CFR 50.160 and related emergency preparedness requirements. The Director is also responsible for developing emergency planning solutions that support the company's reactor deployment strategy while creating value-added consulting and program development services for advanced reactor vendors, utilities, federal agencies, and other nuclear industry partners.

Job Description

WHAT YOU'LL DO

Regulatory Strategy and Industry Leadership

• Serve as the company's lead subject matter expert on emergency preparedness regulations applicable to advanced nuclear reactors.
• Monitor, evaluate, and influence NRC rulemaking, regulatory guidance, policy initiatives, and industry standards related to emergency preparedness and radiological emergency response.
• Lead company participation in NRC workshops, public meetings, industry working groups, NEI working groups, standards committees, and other emergency preparedness forums.
• Develop technical and regulatory positions supporting risk-informed and performance-based emergency planning approaches for advanced reactors.
• Establish strategic relationships with NRC staff, FEMA, DOE, state emergency management organizations, industry groups, reactor developers, and utility partners.

Licensing and Project Development Support

• Support licensing activities associated with new reactor deployments, including Construction Permit Applications, Combined License Applications, Operating License Applications, Early Site Permits, and Part 53 licensing activities.
• Develop emergency planning strategies and licensing bases for multiple reactor technologies and deployment models.
• Provide technical leadership for implementation of 10 CFR 50.160 and related emergency planning regulations.
• Lead development of emergency planning analyses supporting reduced Emergency Planning Zones, scalable emergency preparedness programs, plume exposure pathway evaluations, and consequence-based emergency planning approaches.
• Support site selection, environmental reviews, licensing strategy development, and integrated project planning efforts.

Emergency Preparedness Program Development

• Develop and maintain corporate emergency preparedness standards, procedures, governance frameworks, and implementation guides.
• Establish emergency response organization structures and emergency response capabilities appropriate for multiple reactor technologies.
• Design emergency response training, qualification, drill, and exercise programs.
• Develop emergency classification methodologies, emergency action levels, protective action recommendations, emergency facilities requirements, and associated implementing procedures.
• Ensure emergency preparedness programs are aligned with applicable NRC, FEMA, DHS, DOE, and state requirements.

Technology Evaluation and Deployment

• Provide emergency preparedness expertise to support evaluation and deployment of AP1000 and other Generation III+ reactors, SMRs, microreactors, high-temperature gas reactors, sodium fast reactors, and advanced non-light-water reactor technologies.
• Evaluate emergency planning impacts associated with different reactor technologies and deployment configurations.
• Develop standardized emergency planning approaches capable of supporting fleet-wide deployment while preserving technology-specific licensing flexibility.

Commercial Services and Business Development

• Develop and lead external emergency preparedness consulting and technical services offerings.
• Support generation of new revenue streams by providing emergency planning expertise to reactor vendors, utilities, developers, government agencies, military installations, and international nuclear organizations.
• Lead development of emergency plans, licensing strategies, hazard assessments, EPZ analyses, emergency planning basis documents, regulatory submittals, and preparedness programs for external clients.
• Support business development efforts by identifying market opportunities and developing emergency preparedness service offerings for advanced reactor developers and original equipment manufacturers.

Assessment and Program Excellence

• Direct emergency preparedness assessments, audits, benchmarking activities, and independent reviews.
• Evaluate domestic and international operating experience to identify opportunities for continuous improvement.
• Establish performance indicators and monitoring programs to evaluate emergency preparedness effectiveness.
• Ensure lessons learned and industry best practices are incorporated into company programs.

WHAT WE'RE LOOKING FOR

Education

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Nuclear Engineering, Emergency Management, Health Physics, Radiation Protection, Public Administration, or equivalent combination of education and/or experience related to the discipline. 
• Master's degree in a related field preferred.

Experience

• Minimum of 15 years of progressively responsible experience in nuclear emergency preparedness, nuclear licensing, nuclear operations, radiation protection, regulatory affairs, emergency management, or a closely related technical discipline.
• At least five years of leadership experience in nuclear emergency preparedness, licensing, regulatory affairs, or related technical disciplines.
• Demonstrated experience interacting directly with the NRC and other regulatory agencies.
• Experience supporting advanced reactor, SMR, microreactor, or Generation III+/Generation IV reactor development activities strongly preferred.

Desired Qualifications

• Recognized industry expert in nuclear emergency preparedness.
• Direct experience with implementation or application of 10 CFR 50.160.
• Experience supporting reduced or alternative Emergency Planning Zone methodologies.
• Participation in NRC rulemaking initiatives, NEI working groups, or standards development activities.
• Experience supporting COLA, ESP, Part 50, Part 52, or Part 53 licensing efforts.
• Demonstrated business development, consulting, or client-facing technical services experience.
• Strong understanding of advanced reactor technologies and associated emergency planning challenges.
• Existing relationships within NRC, DOE, FEMA, NEI, reactor vendors, national laboratories, and utility organizations.

WHAT YOU’LL GET

Base Salary:  $161K - $208K

In addition to base salary, AEP offers competitive Total Rewards including:  discretionary short-/long-term incentives, 401(k), pension, health insurance, vacation, educational assistance, etc.

WHO WE ARE

At AEP, we’re more than just an energy company — we’re a team of dedicated professionals committed to delivering safe, reliable, and innovative energy solutions. Guided by our mission to put the customer first, we strive to exceed expectations by listening, responding, and continuously improving the way we serve our communities. If you're passionate about making a meaningful impact and being part of a forward-thinking organization, this is the company for you!

AMERICAN ELECTRIC POWER (on-site)

$161K - $208K / Year

#AEPCareers

#LI-ONSITE

Compensation Data

Compensation Grade:

SP20-011

Compensation Range:

$160,434.00 - $208,565.50

The Physical Demand Level for this job is: S – Sedentary Work: Exerting up to 10 pounds of force occasionally (Occasionally: activity or condition exists up to 1/3 of the time) and/or a negligible amount of force frequently. (Frequently: activity or condition exists from 1/3 to 2/3 of the time) to lift, carry, push, pull or otherwise move objects, including the human body. Sedentary work involves sitting most of the time but may involve walking or standing for brief periods of time. Jobs are sedentary if walking and standing are required only occasionally, and all other sedentary criteria are met.  

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It is hereby reaffirmed that it is the policy of American Electric Power (AEP) to provide Equal Employment Opportunity in all respects of the employer-employee relationship including recruiting, hiring, upgrading and promotion, conditions and privileges of employment, company sponsored training programs, educational assistance, social and recreational programs, compensation, benefits, transfers, discipline, layoffs and termination of employment to all employees and applicants without discrimination because of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, gender identity, and sexual orientation), national origin, age, veteran or military status, disability, genetic information, or any other basis prohibited by applicable law. When required by law, we might record certain information or applicants for employment may be invited to voluntarily disclose protected characteristics.