Job SummaryThe Director, Digital Modernization leads the portfolio of digital control, instrumentation, and modernization upgrades across Vistra's nuclear fleet - coordinated with the Extended Power Uprate (EPU) program.
The role owns strategy and capital execution for digital plant controls (Emerson/Westinghouse Ovation DCS), GE Mark VIe turbine controls, and I&C obsolescence retirement, and ensures the resulting data optimally feeds Vistra's Power Optimization Center (POC) for analytics, early fault warning, and troubleshooting. Working with Site Directors, engineering, the engineering-of-choice partner, constructors, and field and testing teams, the Director executes upgrades that build margin, improve reliability, and make the sites easier to operate and maintain.
Job DescriptionKey Accountabilities- Own the fleet digital modernization roadmap and its capital portfolio, sequencing Emerson/Westinghouse Ovation DCS, GE Mark VIe, and I&C obsolescence upgrades across the three sites and their outage windows.
- Lead design and execution with Site Directors, design and site engineering, the engineering-of-choice partner, constructors, and testing and field teams - from scope and 50.59 screening through installation, testing, startup, and turnover.
- Optimize the telemetry provided to the Power Optimization Center so new digital systems deliver the signal quality and coverage needed for analytics and early fault warning.
- Build margin and modernize the sites: retire legacy analog equipment and single-point vulnerabilities, reduce operator and maintenance burden, and improve unit reliability.
- Drive platform and standards commonality across Perry, Beaver Valley, and Davis-Besse to reduce lifecycle cost and simplify long-term support including skill development for outage/troubleshooting improvement based on commonality of technology.
- Integrate digital scope with the EPU program so uprate and control upgrades share design basis, schedule, and testing strategy.
- Manage OEM and EPC relationships - including Emerson/Westinghouse and GE - negotiating scope, cost, and schedule and resolving stakeholder conflicts.
- Develop the digital and I&C talent pipeline and represent Vistra in INPO and industry modernization forums.
- Capital-funded position within the Major Projects organization
- Three-site nuclear scope: Perry, Beaver Valley, and Davis-Besse, coordinated with the EPU program; fossil fleet alignment expected but outside direct accountability
- High-consequence technical scope: reactor and turbine control platforms (Emerson/Westinghouse Ovation, GE Mark VIe) where errors carry direct generation and safety risk
- Owns the capital portfolio and its prioritization; delivers through matrixed site and fleet engineering teams without direct authority over site organizations
- Build and lead a team of high-performing individuals including Digital I&C and Control engineers, project coordinator, and Sr. Digital Control Manager
- Substantial extended team through the engineering-of-choice partner and OEMs (Emerson/Westinghouse, GE), scaling with outage and installation phase.
- Track record delivering complex modifications from concept through turnover
- Role is based out of one of our nuclear sites: Perry, Beaver Valley, or Davis-Besse with 25-50% travel depending on deployment phase
Education, Experience, & Skill Requirements- At least 12 years in the nuclear or fossil power industry with increasing responsibility in engineering, projects, operations, or maintenance, including 5-7 years leading capital modification programs such as digital I&C, DCS, or turbine control upgrades.
- Working knowledge of digital control platforms (Emerson/Westinghouse Ovation, GE Mark VIe, or equivalent), plant I&C, and the NRC digital I&C path (10 CFR 50.59, cyber security, qualification). Familiarity with INPO standards, equipment reliability and obsolescence programs, and plant telemetry analytics.
- Bachelor's degree in Engineering required (Electrical, I&C, Nuclear, or Mechanical focus preferred); advanced degree desirable.
- PMP, SRO license/certification, or equivalent strongly preferred.
Key Metrics- Safety & Compliance - Zero violations; adherence to NRC, INPO, NQA-1, and cyber security requirements.
- Schedule - On-time digital upgrade milestones with no outage critical-path impact.
- Cost - ≥95% budget adherence across the modernization portfolio.
- Execution Quality - Upgrades tested and turned over with minimal post-modification corrective actions.
- Margin & Reliability - Measurable gains in margin and capacity factor; reduction of obsolete equipment and single-point vulnerabilities.
- POC Enablement - Growth in quality telemetry to the POC and documented predictive-maintenance saves.
Job FamilyPlant Operations
CompanyVistra Nuclear Operations Company
LocationsShippingport, Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania
