System Qualification Lead & Lab Manager

At THORIZON, we are developing an innovative molten salt nuclear reactor. Getting there means more than designing a great reactor on paper. We need to build, test, learn, qualify and improve real systems—repeatedly, rigorously and safely. Our Pilot programme is at the heart of this effort. It brings together tailor-made molten salt systems and experimental loops across several locations in the Netherlands and Belgium. We are looking for a System Qualification Lead & Lab Manager to take ownership of the experimental operations behind this programme. This is a hands-on role for someone who enjoys being close to the technology, but who also knows how to make complex projects happen: turning engineering into reality, creating the right operating framework, bringing people together, spotting problems early and making sure experiments deliver what they are supposed to deliver. In short: you make sure our Pilot systems are ready to run—and run well. Your mission is to turn engineered systems into safe, reliable and repeatable experimental operations. You will own the operational readiness and execution of THORIZON’s Pilot laboratories, while building a consistent way of working across our different experimental locations. You will: • Own the operational lifecycle of our Pilot systems, from engineering delivery through FAT, commissioning and site start-up to operation, maintenance, upgrades and, ultimately, decommissioning. • Act as project manager for engineering deliveries, ensuring that systems, equipment and documentation meet THORIZON requirements before they enter operation. • Build the operating framework for our laboratories, including quality standards, procedures, experimental protocols and operational controls, in line with recognised international standards and applicable nuclear requirements. • Build and develop the operational team, including recruiting and ensuring the appropriate qualification of internal and subcontracted operators. • Own operational planning, budgets and delivery, making sure experiments happen when planned, within agreed resources and with the expected results and documentation. • Make safety, environmental and regulatory compliance part of everyday operations, rather than something added afterwards. • Ensure the reliability of our experimental programme, putting in place the maintenance, preparation and operational measures needed to keep systems available and experiments running. • Coordinate external partners and suppliers, ensuring clear interfaces, expectations and delivery. • Report clearly on progress, risks, deviations, decisions and results, giving management and colleagues the visibility they need to act. • Help turn what we learn into better systems and better ways of working, and support communication of our achievements internally and externally. ]]> Build one way of working across our Pilot programme Our experiments will take place across several locations - including Eindhoven, Zeeland, Mol and others. Different systems, sites and teams should not mean different standards. You will therefore also own the transversal standardisation of Pilot operations. You will: • Coordinate and supervise Pilot operations together with the wider THORIZON Pilot team. • Ensure that experimental methodologies are applied consistently across locations. • Develop, maintain and continuously improve internal standards, procedures and experimental protocols. • Challenge those standards through experience and make sure improvements become part of everyday practice. • Bring a quality-engineering mindset to experimental work, using appropriate tools such as DFMEA, root-cause analysis, 8D, structured problem solving, statistics and other quality methodologies. • Capture lessons from experiments, dev