$145K – $180KSeniorFull Time
We are growing our US development team with an experienced Site Development Lead. This role is critical to securing and advancing Blykalla's site position for the Fjäll reactor program and translating that position into a ready-to-build site. If you have deep experience in site development, DOE or government laboratory relationships, and the ability to navigate complex institutional environments while keeping a construction program on schedule, we encourage you to apply.
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.
As Site Development Lead, you will serve as Blykalla's primary institutional relationship manager with our reactor site host and own the development of our Fjäll reactor site. Your mission spans three interconnected areas: managing the site host partnership and securing the agreements needed for site use; coordinating civil works and infrastructure planning for Phase 0 and subsequent Fjäll phases; and supporting any site-sharing or co-location arrangements with strategic partners.
This is a first-wave hire. The Phase 0 civil design timeline is already active and site agreements are on the critical path. Your first 90 days will be focused on accelerating site agreements and establishing the site planning baseline for Phase 0.
Key responsibilities
Serve as Blykalla's primary point of contact with the reactor site host for all site-related matters, including site use agreement negotiations, land use applications, and ongoing institutional relationship management.
Lead site use application processes and coordinate the regulatory and host approvals required for Phase 0 and subsequent Fjäll program phases.
Manage Blykalla's site collaboration with strategic co-location partners, including land use coordination, shared infrastructure planning, and joint contractor interface for site-level activities.
Coordinate with the Engineering Manager and Swedish design team on civil works and building design requirements for Phase 0, ensuring site planning inputs are delivered on schedule.
Develop and maintain the site infrastructure master plan, covering utilities, transmission, access roads, waste handling, and support facilities across all Fjäll phases.
Interface with the Project Interface Lead to ensure that civil contractor scope is aligned with site development requirements and properly sequenced relative to design milestones.
Monitor and manage site-related regulatory, permitting, and host approval milestones; escalate risks to the Program Director with mitigation options.
Develop and maintain site-specific entries in the program risk register, with particular attention to host institution process timelines and dependencies.
Support the Program Director in site-related reporting to DOE, executive leadership, and the Board.
You will be joining a small, high-ownership team at a pivotal stage of the program. The site host relationship is one of the program's most important assets and most significant schedule dependencies. We are looking for someone who can navigate complex institutional relationships with credibility and move them forward with purpose.
Bachelor's or Master's degree in Civil Engineering, Nuclear Engineering, Environmental Science, Project Management, or equivalent.
Significant experience in site development, land use, infrastructure planning, or project development for energy, nuclear, or government-adjacent programs.
Prior experience working with or at a DOE national laboratory or similar government research institution is highly valued. Understanding of DOE site use processes, authorization requirements, and institutional dynamics is a strong differentiator.
Established relationships within the DOE or national laboratory ecosystem are a meaningful advantage.
Strong stakeholder management and relationship-building skills; comfortable navigating complex institutional environments and multi-party land use arrangements.
Experience coordinating between engineering design teams and civil or infrastructure contractors; ability to translate design requirements into site planning inputs.
Strong organizational skills and experience managing multiple parallel workstreams and external stakeholders simultaneously.
Ability to work independently in a distributed environment; comfortable operating with limited administrative support and building structure where it does not yet exist.
US work authorization required.
This position is based in Austin, TX, with regular travel to Idaho National Laboratory (Idaho Falls, ID).
We offer a competitive compensation package reflecting the seniority and strategic importance of this role.
Base salary: $145,000–$180,000 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)
The salary range reflects our target bands for Idaho Falls and Austin. The final offer will be determined based on qualifications and location.
Joining our team means playing a foundational role in bringing an advanced nuclear reactor to life in the United States. The site is the program's physical foundation, and the site host relationship is one of its most critical long-term assets. You will have real ownership, real influence, and the opportunity to build something that lasts. Apply now and help shape the future of clean energy.
Note: We encourage applicants from diverse backgrounds and are an equal-opportunity employer.
