Technical Project Manager
Robatel Technologies — Roanoke, VA (Hybrid / Remote optional)
Full-time · Reports to the CEO
About Robatel Technologies
Robatel Technologies designs and builds the radiation-protection systems that make nuclear work possible — hot cells, gloveboxes, Type B transport casks, and shielded metallic structures. We are the U.S. arm of the Robatel group, which has served industry since 1830 and the nuclear sector specifically since 1953. From our facility in Roanoke, Virginia, we deliver custom-engineered solutions to radiopharmaceutical producers, research institutions, national laboratories, and power generators.
Every system we ship is built to NQA-1 quality standards. We are small enough that engineers see their work through from concept to delivery, and established enough to take on the most demanding containment problems in the industry.
The Role
We're looking for a Project Manager who can do two things well: solve hard engineering problems and run the projects those solutions live inside. You'll take custom nuclear projects from initial concept through delivery — owning the schedule, the budget, the technical decisions, and the quality record — while serving as the technical point of contact for customers, suppliers, and regulators.
This is a hands-on role with real ownership. You won't be one cog in a large machine; you'll be running projects and shaping how we build.
Where this can lead: for the right person, this role is also a runway into a Sales Engineer position — pairing deep product and project knowledge with customer-facing work as our commercial team grows.
What You'll Do
- Develop and execute project plans covering cost, schedule, and quality requirements for custom nuclear systems.
- Provide engineering leadership across design, analysis, and development — including the calculations and simulations behind gloveboxes, hot cells, and other containment products.
- Work within and help strengthen our NQA-1 quality program, ensuring deliverables meet nuclear-industry and regulatory standards.
- Write and review technical specifications, engineering reports, and quality procedures, and help improve our processes and documentation.
- Manage multiple projects concurrently — or support senior project managers — keeping work on time, on budget, and to spec.
- Manage suppliers and procurement to keep compliant components arriving on schedule.
- Serve as the technical interface with customers and regulatory bodies, resolving issues and keeping communication clear.
- Help develop and deliver training for new team members.
- Travel domestically and internationally — roughly 6–8 trips per year in total — for client meetings, site visits, project oversight, training, and coordination with our French sister company (see Travel section below for the full breakdown).
Minimum Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree in Science or Engineering (Mechanical or Nuclear preferred).
- 3–5 years of experience in a highly regulated industry, ideally nuclear.
- Advanced proficiency with Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Project).
- Strong written and verbal communication — able to make complex technical information clear to varied audiences.
- Working knowledge of QA/QC techniques in a regulated environment.
- Solid data-analysis, problem-solving, and critical-thinking skills.
- Must possess or be able to obtain a valid passport for international travel.
- U.S. citizenship required. This role requires unescorted access to DOE and national-laboratory facilities, handling of export-controlled nuclear technical data (ITAR/EAR), and eligibility to work on federal contracts subject to Buy American Act requirements.
Preferred Qualifications
- Degree in Mechanical, Industrial, or Nuclear Engineering.
- Project management experience, ideally with PMP certification.
- SolidWorks, ANSYS, LS-Dyna, or other CAD/FEA software.
- Monte Carlo shielding analysis experience.
- NQA-1 experience.
- Familiarity with manufacturing techniques such as welding and machining.
- Supplier- and contract-management experience.
Compensation
Base salary of $85,000–$110,000 per year, depending on experience and qualifications.
Work Environment
Hybrid for candidates in or near the Roanoke/Salem, VA area. Remote optionality is available for strong candidates outside the area.
Travel
Travel is required and weighted toward international project work:
- International: Roughly 3–4 trips per year — primarily to France — to support project development and coordinate with our sister company, Robatel Industries, including specialized training. Depending on project needs, international travel may extend to other locations.
- Domestic: Roughly 3–4 trips per year within the U.S. for training, seminars, conferences, client meetings, and site visits.
Benefits
- Health, dental, and vision insurance fully covered for individual coverage (up to $1,000/month)
- Health Savings Account (HSA) contribution fully covered for individual coverage
- Competitive retirement plan with company match
- Paid time off
- Professional development assistance
- Monthly cell phone stipend
- DashPass membership
- French-language tutoring to support collaboration with our French parent company
