Director Fuel Handling

Job Description

Director Fuel Handling

AtkinsRéalis is one of Canada's largest private sector nuclear engineering groups. We have been providing a wide range of services to the nuclear industry in Canada and around the world since for more than 60 years. We are proud to be the steward of Canadian CANDU nuclear technology.

Location – Mississauga, ON

Our Nuclear Canada business is experiencing significant growth driven in part by planned New Build projects underway internationally and domestically. Candu Energy Inc., an AtkinsRéalis company are developing the CANDU® MONARK™ reactor. The most advanced reactor design is available from AtkinsRéalis, with the highest output of any CANDU technology at 1,000 MW, the CANDU MONARK is currently in a critical planning phase with initial clients and projects being finalized. It leverages CANDU technologies tested and reliable design features together with the most modern and advanced engineering solutions; a Canadian solution for utilities faced with meeting the dual demands of Net Zero and energy security.

As Candu Energy embarks on a transformative phase of growth, fuel handling has become a strategic priority - central to our identity as an OEM and critical to our readiness in support of the existing CANDU fleet and major new build opportunities both domestically and internationally. The Director, Fuel Handling will lead this vital function, driving innovation, safety, and operational excellence across the full lifecycle of CANDU reactor systems. A defining advantage of the CANDU design is its unique capability for on-power refueling, which sets it apart from conventional pressurized water reactors (PWRs). This feature enables continuous operation, enhances fuel cycle flexibility, and significantly improves plant economics and availability. As global interest in reliable, low-carbon energy intensifies, the ability to refuel without shutdown positions Candu Energy as a compelling choice for utilities and governments seeking scalable, efficient nuclear solutions. The Director will play a key role in leveraging this competitive edge, aligning fuel handling systems with strategic objectives, and ensuring Candu’s leadership in the next generation of nuclear deployment.

The purpose of the Director, Fuel Handling position is to provide visionary leadership and strategic oversight for Candu Energy’s fuel handling program, ensuring it is positioned to meet the demands of a rapidly evolving nuclear landscape. This role is responsible for building and nurturing a high-performance team with deep technical expertise, while fostering a culture of client-centric innovation and responsiveness. The Director will develop and implement a forward-looking strategy that aligns fuel handling capabilities with Candu’s broader business objectives, including new build readiness and global expansion. By integrating technical excellence with a strong focus on client support, this position will ensure that fuel handling solutions are not only robust and reliable, but also tailored to meet the unique operational and commercial needs of our partners worldwide. 

Your role within the team:

• Project Planning & Scope Definition:
  • Develop comprehensive project plans outlining timelines, budgets, resource allocation, and execution strategies.
  • Define project scope and deliverables in accordance with contract documents and client requirements.
  • Establish work breakdown structures (WBS), execution plans, and performance benchmarks.
• Team Leadership & Coordination:
  • Assemble and lead a high-performing, multidisciplinary project team across engineering, architecture, construction, and support functions.
  • Foster collaboration and clear communication among all stakeholders to ensure project cohesion and success.
• People Management:
  • Maintain supervisory organizational structure and oversee career development of assigned project personnel.
  • Recruit, interview, and select staff with appropriate skills; coordinate with functional managers to implement training and development programs.
  • Make informed decisions on human resource matters, working closely with Labour Relations to resolve performance issues.
• Contract & Risk Management:
  • Manage all aspects of contract administration, including scope control, change management, and subcontractor/vendor oversight.
  • Conduct rigorous risk analysis using industry best practices such as Monte Carlo simulations and contingency draw-down curves.
  • Ensure compliance with contractual obligations and governance standards. 
• Safety & Quality Assurance:
  • Enforce adherence to safety protocols and quality standards across all project activities.
  • Develop and implement safety programs, training initiatives, and corrective action plans to uphold performance excellence.
  • Accountable for all aspects of nuclear and industrial safety, including compliance with corporate and client safety programs.
  • Lead development and enforcement of training, corrective action programs, and performance standards related to safety.
• Performance Monitoring & Reporting:
  • Apply key performance indicators (KPIs) to assess project health and progress.
  • Establish robust reporting protocols to meet contract, corporate, and stakeholder oversight requirements.
• Procurement & Supply Chain Management:
  • Oversee procurement strategies, contract scope, change control, and flow-down requirements from parent contracts to subcontractors and suppliers.
  • Ensure governance and compliance throughout the supply chain.
• Stakeholder Communication:
  • Serve as the primary liaison for internal and external stakeholders.
  • Maintain strong relationships with clients, partners, suppliers, and regulatory bodies to ensure alignment and transparency.
• Ethical & Regulatory Compliance:
  • Ensure all project activities comply with corporate ethics, cybersecurity standards, import-export regulations, intellectual property protections, and security clearance protocols.
• Required interfaces:
  • Customers, suppliers, Candu Partners.
  • Senior executives, department functional managers.
  • Trades personnel. 

Why choose AtkinsRéalis as an employer?

Because we offer:

• The opportunity to work on various major projects for internal and external clients.
• An exciting environment where work-life balance is important.
• A wide array of learning and development opportunities.
• Competitive pay, flexible benefits, an employee share plan, and a defined contribution pension plan.
• A work environment focused on health and safety.

The ideal candidate:

• Educational Background: BSc in Engineering or equivalent is a requirement. 
• Certifications: MBA is an asset.
• Nuclear Experience: Experience in Nuclear Reactor new design and construction projects is an asset.
• Project Experience: 15+ years of experience leading or supporting projects in construction, manufacturing, or engineering services. 
• Nuclear Supply Chain: Understanding of nuclear supply chain and materials management principles.
• Technical Skills: Ability to read and understand construction drawings, blueprints, and specifications is considered an asset.
• Project Delivery: Understanding of project delivery methodology, including earned value, critical path scheduling, prime contract and subcontract management, procurement and supply chain methodology, and inspection and test plans. Understanding of large EPC work including subcontracts, prime contract management.
• Safety Knowledge: Working knowledge of industrial safety and nuclear safety culture.
• Team Building: Ability to build and inspire large teams (> 100 FTE) to work towards common goals.
• Leadership: Lead by example, setting high standards for Health & Safety and Nuclear Safety Culture.
• Quality Assurance: Appreciation of the importance of Quality Assurance Programs and their significance to the nuclear industry.
• Communication Skills: Excellent organizational, communication, and customer relationship skills. Demonstrated oral and written communication abilities.
• Necessary competencies:
  • Demonstrates initiative, decisiveness, and perseverance.
  • Plans and communicates effectively, with good instincts when to engage with stakeholders.
  • Seeks and accepts responsibility and accountability.
  • Possesses excellent judgment and can correctly apply skills and knowledge.
  • Perform well under stress.
  • Delegates effectively.
  • Integrity and Trust, with a commitment to both safety and quality. 
  • Customer Focus.
  • Team Player, Shares Knowledge.
• Work location:
  • The project team are predominantly located in our Sheridan Park offices in Mississauga.
  • Various other work locations (suppliers, project interfaces) as required.

Are you up for this challenge? Apply today and join our team to help engineer a Better Future for our Planet and its People.

At AtkinsRéalis, we seek to hire individuals with diverse characteristics, backgrounds, and perspectives. We strongly believe that world-class talent makes no distinctions based on gender, ethnic or national origin, sexual identity and orientation, age, religion, or disability, but enriches itself through these differences.  
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Appropriate accommodations will be provided upon request throughout the recruitment and hiring process as required by Company policy and the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA).

Successful applicants will be notified about AtkinsRéalis’ accommodation policies at the time the employment offer is extended, and the information will be shared with new personnel during the onboarding process.

Worker Type

Job Type

At AtkinsRéalis, we seek to hire individuals with diverse characteristics, backgrounds and perspectives. We strongly believe that world-class talent makes no distinctions based on gender, ethnic or national origin, sexual identity and orientation, age, religion or disability, but enriches itself through these differences.