Charlotte, NC, US
Position Title: Manager, Licensing
Come Build Your Career at Aecon!
Aecon delivers some of the most complex and impactful infrastructure projects — from transformative transportation networks to critical energy, industrial and nuclear programs. The projects we build connect communities and power future generations. With deep roots in North America and a strong footprint internationally, Aecon brings global expertise and proudly serves public and private sector clients through its Construction and Concessions segment.
Safety Always is not only our #1 core value – it is the standard that anchors our culture. We believe the most ambitious projects deserve the most committed people. At Aecon, you won’t just build your career — you’ll help build what matters to enable future generations to thrive.
At Aecon, you can count on:
- Safety Always. Our number one core value. The safety of our people, projects, partners, and stakeholders is our priority focus – today and always.
- Integrity. We lead by example, with humility and courage.
- Accountability. We’re passionate about delivering on our commitments.
- Inclusion. We provide opportunities where people feel valued, supported, and empowered to contribute fully.
We deliver infrastructure with purpose, and our people are at the heart of everything we do. Aecon employees are incredibly proud to build some of the most impactful infrastructure of this generation – we call it Aecon Proud.
At Aecon we:
- Ensure you and your family receive the services and benefits needed to support your mental, emotional, and physical well-being.
- Are intentional when it comes to investing in your development. We help you build your career and advance your skills through our Aecon University, tuition reimbursement, and Leadership Programs.
- Are committed to creating work environments focused on mutual respect, teamwork, collaboration, and new ideas, through meaningful initiatives, training, and partnerships with Veteran groups, to ensure we are building with top talent and harnessing our collective strengths within every aspect of our culture.
- Operate responsibly by managing risk, safety, and environmental considerations across all our projects and surrounding communities.
Our success is built on the passion, expertise, and dedication of our people. Together, we embrace strong execution, innovation, and continuous improvement — values that come to life through the unique talents and collaborative spirit of every team member. If you’re inspired to make a difference through future-building projects, join our best-in-class team.
What is the Opportunity?
We are seeking a Licensing Manager to lead and play a key role in the licensing and regulatory strategy for advanced reactors, SMRs, and other nuclear new build projects. This position will help build Aecon’s U.S. Nuclear Licensing organization and directly support deployment of advanced reactors and SMRs across North America. The Licensing Manager will serve as a strategic leader, helping customers navigate regulatory pathways while supporting pursuit, development, and execution of next-generation nuclear energy projects. This position offers the opportunity to directly support NRC interactions, licensing basis development, and the deployment of next-generation nuclear technologies. This role serves as a technical leader within the licensing organization, providing strategic regulatory guidance, mentoring junior engineers, and supporting business growth initiatives across Advanced Reactor and Nuclear New Development programs.
Due to the nature of work that Aecon performs, candidates must be a U.S. Citizen or Permanent Resident of the United States with the ability to obtain unescorted access to a Nuclear Power Plant.
What You'll Do Here:
- Prepare and review engineering and licensing documents assessing the safety analyses impacts of nuclear plant modifications and license.
- Prepare and review technical responses on behalf of the client for eventual submittal to Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) correspondence, including bulletins, information notices, generic letters, and requests for additional information from the NRC pertaining to installation, modification, or license activities at an operating nuclear power plant.
- Engage in and maintain an awareness of nuclear industry regulatory trends and changes that relate to operating nuclear power plants, nuclear power plant decommissioning, spent nuclear fuel, and ISFSI operations.
- Work with the project team to develop licensing, quality assurance, and environmental compliance positions and strategies.
- Perform regulatory reviews of impacts or changes to nuclear plant UFSAR, Operating License, Technical Specifications & Bases, Plans and Programs to ensure they do not reduce regulatory effectiveness or commitment.
- Prepare and review licensing procedures, documents, regulatory interpretations, and reports to management.
- Perform and/or review a License Amendment Request (LAR) along with justification to the NRC when there is a potential reduction in regulatory effectiveness or commitment.
- Perform and/or review 10 CFR 50.59 and 10 CFR 72.48 Screens and Evaluations of plant activities.
- Maintain a working knowledge of applicable NRC Regulatory Guidance documents, NEI Guidelines, and Industry Standards.
- Serve as the primary interface with the NRC, supporting audits, inspections, public meetings, regulatory engagements, and Requests for Additional Information (RAIs).
- Support licensing basis management, commitment management, configuration control, and regulatory requirements traceability.
- Support licensing activities associated with Nuclear Quality Assurance programs, including NRC and ASME NQA-1 requirements.
- Provide technical leadership and mentoring to junior licensing engineers and multidisciplinary project teams.
- Support NRC relationship management, inspections, audits, assessments, and regulatory readiness activities.
- Build, manage, and mentor a growing licensing organization within Aecon U.S. Nuclear.
- Develop staffing plans, recruiting strategies, and resource forecasts to support future project opportunities.
- Establish licensing processes, procedures, tools, and governance frameworks.
- Support integration of licensing activities with engineering, procurement, construction, commissioning, and quality assurance organizations.
- Participate in development of project execution strategies and licensing risk mitigation plans for major EPC pursuits.
- Lead development and implementation of licensing interfaces with Nuclear Quality Assurance programs compliant with ASME NQA-1 requirements.
- Support regulatory readiness assessments, audits, supplier qualification activities, and licensing-related quality program development.
- Develop regulatory strategy.
- Develop licensing roadmap.
- Conduct vendor qualification reviews.
- Support stakeholder engagement.
- Manage licensing risk.
- Support proposal development.
- Perform customer-facing presentations and workshops.
What You Bring to the Team:
- B.S. in Nuclear Engineering or a related engineering discipline from an accredited four-year university.
- 10+ years of overall licensing experience.
- Experience leading and growing technical teams to impact client projects throughout AESI.
- Working knowledge of applicable NRC regulations including 10 CFR Parts 50, 52, 71, 72, and associated guidance documents.
- Experience supporting licensing of advanced reactors, Small Modular Reactors (SMRs), Design Certifications, Construction Permits, Combined License Applications (COLA), or Part 52 licensing activities is preferred.
- Professional Engineer (PE) license in the U.S. preferred.
- Field experience at an operating nuclear plant preferred.
- Excellent written and oral communication skills.
- Must be able to obtain unescorted access to nuclear plants and other facilities requiring background checks and pre-employment/random screening.
Preferred Experience
- Advanced reactor licensing.
- Design Certification Applications (DCA).
- Construction Permits (CP).
- Combined License Applications (COLA).
- Early Site Permits (ESP).
- Part 53 framework development.
- Reactor vendor engagement (X-energy, GEH, TerraPower, Holtec, Westinghouse).
Benefits Include
- Health Insurance Benefits (Comprehensive Plan - Dental, Medical, Vision).
- 401(k) (comprehensive match plan).
- Paid Vacation (vacation/wellness days).
- Health and Wellness Home Benefit (wellness subsidy for fitness/health).
- Tuition Reimbursement (strong career growth support for approved degrees, diplomas, and courses).
Aecon fosters belonging within and across our organization. We consider all applicants for positions without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, mental or physical disabilities, veteran status, and all other characteristics protected by law.
We are committed to adhering to the objectives and requirements outlined in the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), and to meeting the accessibility needs of persons with disabilities in a timely manner, through the implementation of the requirements of the EEOC and its applicable regulations. Appropriate accommodation under the EEOC will be provided upon request throughout the interview and hiring process.
Aecon is committed to ensuring all job postings are compliant with all applicable laws. Any candidate who has a concern regarding the contents of this or any other job posting can email aecon@aecon.com.
Nearest Major Market: Charlotte